
Highlights from the Red River Gorge Planning meeting on 6/22/21 about the PROPOSED management changes:
* RRG gets heavy recreational use
* There are serious impacts to irreplaceable resources
* USFS is developing a new management paradigm for the next several decades
* COVID-19 didn't cause this new plan but magnified the need for the new plan
* Recreation Use = Current: Undeveloped and undesignated, Future: Developed and designated
* Backpacking will still be the primary use of RRG
* RRG has 1,000+ front and user-created backcountry campsites. This is too many
* Restrict all camping to designated campsites only. No more dispersed camping
* Campsites will be located at least 100 feet below the top of cliff lines (no more camping on ridges)
* Campsites will be located to have no or limited expansion ability (to prevent user-created expansion)
* Campsites will be above the 100-year flood plain (no more streamside camping)
* Campfires will be restricted to designated fire rings
* Expect many temporary closures to allow land to heal where users have created impacts
* Parking, front and backcountry, will be limited to designated parking spots only
* A lot of restoration is proposed for RRG
* Climbers: No new bolts or fixed anchors in Clifty Wilderness
* Paddlers: Put in and take out at designated areas only
* Expect more of a structured outdoor recreation experience
* Changes will be phased in at different areas over time
* USFS will provide more online and mobile tools for users (recreation.gov)
* 30-day public comment period about proposed changes begins June 24
* These notes were taken and typed by private citizen Andy Niekamp. They may contain errors or omissions.