SEIClimbing.com

I talked to the farmer who owns the road we’ve been using to access Massacre Rocks and he’s asked me to let people know that they’ve decide to keep the road closed and would like people to start using the west entrance. He says that they’ve decided that they want to decrease the liability exposure that increased traffic would create for them.

If you’re not sure how to get in the other way there is a map in the Massacre Rocks guide.

Just in case you haven’t noticed, SEIClimbing.com is now the home for the East Idaho Climbers Coalition. Check out the link to the EICC page for membership information. I’ve also posted a copy of the letter we sent to the BLM concerning the proposed climbing ban at Massacre Rocks.

If you haven’t heard the news yet, here’s something that should make your day. The Bureau of Reclamation has “postponed their temporary closure 2,195 acres downstream of American Falls Dam.” The full story is on the front page of today’s Idaho State Journal.

A big thanks to all who showed up at Monday’s meeting with the Power County Commissioners. Thanks to the Commissioners, the Mayor and City Council of American Falls and to the representatives from our Congressional offices. This wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s involvement.

This is great news but I want to remind everyone that the BLM is still working on their proposal to close 600 acre to rock climbing in that same area. If they are successful it’s a safe bet that other users will eventually be locked out as well.

The BOR has announced that the area due to be closed on March 31st is only on the north west side of the river (opposite the interstate) and have pulled back from the river to allow sportsmen access along the banks of the river. No word as to how far they’ve pulled back.

Many of you may have heard the news already but for those of you who haven’t here’s the official press release from the Bureau of Reclamation:

Reclamation Announces Temporary Closure of Project Lands to Public Use Downstream of American Falls Dam

The Bureau of Reclamation is announcing its decision to implement a non-emergency closure of its project lands along the Snake River downstream of American Falls Dam. The subject lands are in the vicinity of the Massacre Rocks State Park in Power County, Idaho. The closure affects all public use of these lands and will be effective March 31, 2012.

The area in question, which encompasses more than 4,000 acres, is experiencing degradation to a number of its resources. These resources are protected by federal laws that also task the agency to act in the best interest of their preservation. The closure is authorized by the current Code of Federal Regulations; specifically 43 CFR Part 423 under Subpart B – Areas Open and Closed to Public Use.

“Currently, Reclamation does not have the necessary protections in place to fully protect the natural and cultural resources in this area,” said Hap Boyer, Natural Resources Manager in the Upper Snake Field Office of the Bureau of Reclamation. “This closure is taking place to allow Reclamation to collect the data needed to guide future management strategies and decisions.”

The lands involved in this closure will remain closed to public use until proper studies can take place that will help determine how and when to re-open the lands. An amendment to the existing Resource Management Plan for this area will be undertaken as a result of the studies.

The closed lands will be patrolled by law enforcement. The public is urged to respect this closure and the need for these resources to remain undisturbed for a period of time.

For further information, please contact Robert “Hap” Boyer at (208) 678-0461, ext. 15 with the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Snake Field Office in Burley, Idaho.

Just so everyone is clear on what this means to climbers here is a list of walls affected by this action:

• Main Wall
• Outback
• Owl Cove
• The Overlook
• Forbidden Planet
• French Wall
• Hobbit Wall

This doesn’t change anything on State land or BLM land.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see enforcement officers out there this season so make sure you know where you’re at. This isn’t just a climbing ban, they’re closing the area to all activity so don’t think you’re safe just cause you’re not climbing. Having said that, I believe it’s clear that this is related to the action proposed by the BLM last year and that climbers are clearly the target. If you’re not a member of East Idaho Climbers Coalition (EICC) or the Access Fund now’s the time.