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We have started discussions with the Tonto about how the Sycamore Creek area could be at least conditionally reopened. I’d like to get some of your input on the skeleton of a plan that we discussed.
First some info about what’s going on and upcoming status changes. The Sycamore Creek and Rolls OHV areas are both currently closed due to the Bush fire which happened this summer. The Rolls was closed to allow time for a post-fire assessment which has been done. The Sycamore area is closed over concerns about record level flash flooding possibilities in Sycamore Creek after rain events in the Bush fire scar. You should know that the Mesa district is planning to reopen most of the Rolls area in the near future. However, up until recently, Sycamore was to be left closed at least until a major rain event comes through and flushes out some of the fire debris. Obviously, there has been no rain to perform that cleaning out.
I believe that there is significant desire from the OHV community to reopen Sycamore at least conditionally. But I’d like to hear from some of you as well. So, the first question is what are you hearing from friends, family club members, etc. about Sycamore? Are you hearing about a need to reopen or not so much?
More on the basics of a plan later today...
After the two meetings with the Tonto about Sycamore, they have decided to not consider opening it until after the beginning of the year.
The second meeting about Sycamore with the Tonto was yesterday. There was more discussion about the logistical requirements to make sure everyone is out of the area in case of a closure. I told them that I was certain that I could get TRAL volunteers to help with sweeps. They are still very concerned about safety since we haven't had a storm that would flush out the fire debris and show how severe the flooding is going to get. The acting forest supervisor is going to take all of the inputs and come to a decision soon.
Sounds like a reasonable plan. What about flood warnings for the ROLLS area? Wash from 4 Peaks could impact that area.
Three days warning for thunderstorms sounds like a lot of false alarms that may caus folk to looe faith in the system. But sign me up to be a “sweeper”
Here's the next part of this.
The short form of the discussion with the Tonto about a conditional reopening of Sycamore is about a plan that would open the gates back up and then when there is a significant chance of rain (what's significant still to be defined), the gates would be closed until the threat of flooding has passed. The public would be notified a few days in advance including by large signs at the entrances warning that they need to be out of the area before the closure date.
The forest would want to do a sweep of the main areas before the closure to make sure everyone gets out and they'd staff that search with as many of their employees as they can. They have asked if TRAL volunteers would be willing to help with a sweep effort. It would mean that we'd have to organize an event with a couple of days notice to patrol around the lower Sycamore area and Sugarloaf areas primarily. Our only duty would be to notify anyone we find in the areas that the gates will be closed in a few days.
So, would you be willing to participate in these sweeps when they are needed?