Background:

Historically, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) has only closed access to roads and campgrounds due to problem trees or unsafe road conditions, such as debris, or wash outs. They have never restricted public access because there is a perceived future threat. It is always possible that there may be a fire, there may be a debris flow, there may be a weather event. This perceived threat is highly subjective. It is the job of the USFS to keep roads passable, and public recreation areas accessible, not to indefinitely close access to public lands without clearly defined, scientifically supported, and consistent reasoning.

Petition:

We the undersigned citizens are requesting that the USFS immediately restore access to our public lands by removing all new gates, opening any road currently being traveled by the USFS, and reopening all recreation areas upon removal of problem trees.