Ashley National Forest (UT) Information Needed
The Ashley National Forest is in the process of updating its land management plan-something that hasn't happened since 1986. This creates an opportunity to advocate for better protection of streams and rivers across the 1.4 million-acre National Forest, which spans from the Uinta Mountains to Flaming Gorge.
If you have paddled or hiked in the area, American Whitewater needs your help updating the National Whitewater Inventory to include better information on the rivers within the Ashley National Forest. This online database of whitewater information is an important resource and is used by paddlers and river managers alike. We're currently pushing for better protection of this area's rivers and we need the inventory to do a better job of highlighting the whitewater resources of the Ashley National Forest.
Specifically, we'd love your help with providing photos and whitewater run info for:
plus any other whitewater rivers or streams in the area that aren't listed.
Editing a river page is easy: log in to the site, navigate to the river page, and click the three-dot menu located in the banner photo then select Edit this River. Click the blue edit buttons to edit the various sections; photos can be added through the Gallery tab. Here's more info about how to edit a river page.
While you're at it, the Ashley National Forest needs to hear directly from you about the importance of protecting whitewater rivers and streams as part of their land management plan update. Unfortunately, they are not evaluating most of the forest's rivers and streams for eligibility as Wild and Scenic Rivers and are instead focusing on a limited list of smaller headwater streams. We encourage you to email AshleyForestPlan@fs.fed.us to let them know that you want to see a comprehensive and systematic Wild and Scenic Rivers Eligibility Report that evaluates all of the forest's rivers, including those improperly dismissed in the 2008 Utah Wild & Scenic Rivers Suitability Study. Most importantly, send them descriptions and if possible photos of any rare, unique, or exemplary values of these streams that are regionally or nationally significant.
Thank you for your help!