Enchanted Tower help

So, it appears that the enchanted tower is part of the proposed USFS wilderness expansion in NM (or at least will be directly affected by it). This would mean that the area would become (even more) difficult to access, assuming that it is left open to climbing. This also affects the ability of the climbing community to replace hardware due to the ban of power tools in wilderness areas.

Here is what needs to be done:

1) Leave a comment on the interactive map here:
my.usgs.gov/ppgis/studio/la…
Blue hatched areas are being evaluated for wilderness expansion.

Directions for commenting:
-Click on the link above
-Check the box next to the red text that says("Check this box to continue with the next step:") to continue.
-Zoom in on the map to the blue patterned areas (areas scheduled to become wilderness).
-In the upper left of the map click "Draw Point"
-Click in the blue patterned area and then fill out your information along with your comment in the popup box.
-Submit

2) Go to the meeting in Tijeras on Aug. 12. Details here:
20150715PublicMeetingAnnouncement.pdf
Lots of climbers familiar with the tower need to show up and comment publicly.

Agreed, I don't see this being a bad thing. If anything it will force climbers to respect the area a little more.

The only thing you probably have to deal with/worry about is making sure that climbing is interjected into the conversation as a historical and valid recreational use of that area so you don't have some wacky "No Bolts in Wilderness!" faction from the FS come in at the eleventh hour claiming all the bolts should be removed.

Thanks for posting. I agree that the exact consequences are unclear, but judging from the comments on the map, there has been very little input from climbers so far. Depending on the specifics, there could be serious access issues attendant to a wilderness designation, so it's important for people who climb at the tower to get involved. The easiest way is commenting on the map (link in first post), but I also agree that the best way is attending the meeting in Tijeras on Aug.12 (link also in first post).

Thanks for the comment George, I am unaware of the full extent that wideness designation will affect the area. My main concern was with hardware maintenance, but I agree that the change may benefit the area in some ways.

Juana,

Is there a NM local climbing organization there that looks into potential changes to climbing areas like this one? If not, you might bring the Access Fund into the loop....

Thanks for posting. I love the Tower.

Lora

Here is some more specific info. A friend of mine emailed the Access Fund, and got this reply from Ty Tyler (stewardship director). I'm posting the reply with permission from my friend:

"There are a ton of National Forests in their new management planning processes & we've been keeping tabs on the vast majority of them. The new 2012 Planning Rule requires an inventory & evaluation of lands with potential wilderness character. These lands will not necessarily ever be included under wilderness management styles or designated as wilderness, but we are advocating early on that some climbing resources be kept out of inventory boundaries. Particularly bolt intensive (sport) climbing areas. This new rule & all the new planning processes are certainly keeping us busy :)

I actually attended the Cibola National Forest public planning meeting in Magdalena, NM on Tuesday night. The FS was presenting on the current standing of their planning process, next steps and ways the public can comment moving forward. The meeting was dominated by the local ranching community members concerned about wilderness. As the only climber in the room, I was noticed. I chatted briefly with a few FS staff members and discussed our concerns about the current inventory boundaries and they were all very understanding. They encourage we submit a formal comment, which we've been planning to do. We are still early enough along in their process to make headway on the issue.

You'll see on the attached map that the current road access to Enchanted Tower is outside of the inventory boundary, not affecting longterm road access, but the climbing falls within the boundary. You will also notice that there is a bouldering & parking area NW of the tower included in the inventory boundary."

Thanks for the update, Jeremy. Sounds like the Access Fund is keeping an eye out for this area. I wonder if they will be asking LCOs to sign on to their letter?