October 6th, 2009
Thanks to Alpinist magazine for spreading the word in an article on Williamson Rock.
If you haven’t already you can help by taking action now!
The Access Fund Action Center has an online form to help you comment.
It will take less than one minute to make your voice heard.
October 5th, 2009
The following is the official USFS proposal (which define the measures which may restore access to Williamson Rock).
These are the documents (.pdf downloads) that the USFS is seeking public comment on:
The Access Fund Action Center has an online form to help you comment.
October 2nd, 2009
Please make your voice heard.
If you are on the Access Fund, FoWR or ACSD mailing list(s) you will also receive an e-mail with instructions next week.
The proposal envisions reopening some areas at Williamson Rock to the public and implementing measures, such as re-routing the approach trail, to protect the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog (MYLF) and its critical habitat. While the London and Stream Walls will remain temporarily closed to allow the MYLF population to recover, we believe that the proposal is a vast improvement over the status quo – total closure.
A hard copy letter, in your own words, is preferred over e-mail.
Please mail your letter to:
Angeles National Forest
Williamson Rock ID Team
ATTN: Darrell Vance
701 N. Santa Anita Ave
Arcadia, CA 91006
As a last resort, if you are unable to drop a letter in the mail, then you can send your comments via e-mail to:
Some general writing points (put into your own words):
Thank you all for your attention, time and effort!
September 13th, 2009
The Angeles National Forest is asking for Public comments on a proposal to resolve the existing temporary closure in the Williamson Rock vicinity.
Williamson Rock is located on National Forest System lands within the Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger District, in upper Little Rock Canyon, Los Angeles County, California. The proposed action involves portions of T. 3N, R. 9W, Section 7, and T. 3N, R. 10W, Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14, SBM. The proposed action would reopen the area to dispersed recreation while providing required protection for Federally-listed biological species. The Forest is soliciting public input for the issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis.
Comments must be received within 45 days from the publication date of this notice (09/12). This comment period provides interested parties, including those affected by the proposal, an opportunity to make their concerns known. Comments may be mailed to Williamson Rock ID Team, ATTN: Darrell Vance, Angeles National Forest, 701 N. Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006, or electronically at dvance@fs.fed.us.
September 10th, 2009
Sources indicate that the Angeles National Forest “Station Fire” did not reach Williamson Rock. The USFS have obviously been working on the fire and related issues. It is unclear how the fire tragedy will affect the scoping process or the issue in general. There is certainly collateral damage (see below). We will be in communication with the USFS soon and let you know what we learn. Fire boundary map can be see here.
Other noteworthy fire related news: Angeles Crest Hwy (Hwy 2) closed indefinitely.
August 5th, 2009
Last month FoWR board member Kai Zinn attended another field trip to Williamson Rock with the USFS, confirming the possible solutions that were discussed during the prior trip (see post below).
FoWR is currently waiting for the USFS to complete the proposed actions document. We are hoping to have this information soon. When we receive this we will advise any action that is needed from the climbing community.
Thanks for your ongoing patience, support and cooperation.
May 26th, 2009
Important Note: None of this is official until the required NEPA documents are finalized and scoping process etc. is completed. Public scoping will be relatively soon and we will need your help with another letter writing campaign. FoWR will provide more specific details when available.
On May 20th 2009 Troy Mayr and Brent Ware (FoWR) with Darrell Vance and Yonni Schwartz (USFS) went on a field trip to Williamson Rock. The purpose of this field trip was to discuss “on the ground” the USFS proposed measures including; the actual ‘new’ Long Trail approach, the critical habitat boundary, to give the USFS a tour of the the crag from a climber perspective and to show the USFS which crags were which (so they could reference the guidebook). On that note they were surprised at the level of “organization” at the crag, which they viewed positively, in that it made defining access much more precise.
We met at the Long Trail (East) parking lot. Yonni and Darrell told us that the Short Trail will not work, primarily because it goes down right into the water / MYLF critical habitat (see previous post below). As a consequence the USFS indicated that the short trail and parking lot(s) will be completely closed and rehabbed.
The Long Trail parking lot will be improved and made the only option for approaching the crag. The USFS would also install a toilet at the trail head at the parking lot. The long trail is less than a mile long and will be a pleasant hike after the trail work is completed. We discussed signage requirements, potential locations and where the trail would access the crag (near the Ramblin Wall / Pyramid portion of the crag, far away from the stream). It will be essential for climbers to stay on the designated trail(s). The Long Trail would have to be modified in minor ways, the most significant of which is closing off all the alternatives such as the segment of the trail runs right above the pools. There will be no access to the stream corridor period. Also, no dogs will be allowed in the area.
Darrell and Yonni think that it should be possible to maintain access to all the upper crags, the Generation Wall, Secret Garden, etc. and mostly likely the lower area’s including the Waterfall Wall / Upper Head Wall and vicinity. We also discussed maintaining access to all the upper front side crags, including Voices Wall, Eagles Roost Buttress, Freezer Burn Wall etc., this would be achieved by “fencing off” the stream corridor (with some sort of barrier rustic / natural in appearance) to prevent people from going down to the stream in the area below the Waterfall Wall to the Voices Wall at the Mushroom Boulder. The bad news is that we would lose the London Wall, the Stream Wall, and all the climbs downstream of those as well as the Mushroom Boulder. Unfortunately a couple of the best crag in the area would be lost but that seems a small price to pay to protect the MYLF critical habitat and to gain access to the greater part of the crag.
The USFS would monitor activity at the crag, especially during peak times (weekends). It was also discussed that limited access would be granted initially, allowing for more as it was determined that the measures were effective. How this would be monitored is unclear at this point.
All in all the trip was a success and we hope that the resolution evolves more quickly as a result.
The view from the proposed long trail approach.
May 5th, 2009
Recently, the USFS ID Team made a field visit to Williamson rock. FoWR discussed this with them and learned the following. The USFS looked at the short trail(s), and concluded that those will not work. They feel that there is too much risk from a safety standpoint if they develop that trail. The USFS botanist identified another sensitive plant in that vicinity as well, so that option becomes even more problematic. They also examined the long trail and although there are 2 stream crossings, they believe that this may be the most realistic solution for access. They used a GPS to chart the existing trail, which they will be proposing to develop for access to the northeast side of the rock. They also have interest from the biological community from people who want to help with falcon monitoring.
We will post news as it presents itself.
Troy Mayr
April 3rd, 2009
To learn more about the plight of frogs in general, including the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF), pick up an issue of this months (April 2009) edition of National Geographic magazine. The story, The Vanishing, can also be found on their website.
March 25th, 2009
FoWR recently attended a meeting with the USFS. The USFS is continuing to work on developing the ‘best options’ that will allow access to Williams Rock, while enhancing the protection of the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF). While there was nothing definitive to report from this meeting, be assured that there is ongoing work being done on the Williamson Rock issue. We will provide more details as they become available and notify you directly when action is needed. Thanks!
March 23rd, 2009
FoWR / AF recently attended a meeting at Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon’s office with his Senior Field Representative Conor McGee (the congressman himself was not present). The meeting also included representatives from the USFS ID team and Acting Forest Supervisor. This meeting was initiated by Wayne Burnes a local climber in McKeon’s district. While there were no new developments at this meeting (for a listing of the topics discussed, see the previous post) it is noteworthy that the process is underway, we are involved and were invited to attend. Suffice it to say, McKeon’s office understands that there are dedicated, informed groups representing the climbing community who want Williamson Rock access restored while protecting the MYLF habitat. Thank you for your participation in the recent email writing campaign, your e-mails were delivered to McKeon’s office. Also thanks again to all who have written letters to your elected officials. We have recently been contacted regarding another meeting at the USFS headquarters. There is a lot of movement currently we will present news as it becomes available.
February 17th, 2009
February 11th, 2009
The following document was prepared by FoWR (with help from several science professionals) to provide mitigation measures as well as other requisite information. A copy of the Williamson Rock Access and Conservation Project document can be found here (4.6MB PDF).
February 6th, 2009
Thank you to everyone for writing letters to your congressional representatives and influencing others to write as well.
A big thanks for Jason (and everyone) at the Access Fund, Jason’s Washington D.C. trip and your letters have been instrumental in getting this response from the USFS. We’ve got a long way to go still, but we hope that this is the tipping point.
It is definitely a huge step forward it terms of the USFS allocation of time, monies and personnel to the Williamson Rock issue.
Now the big news…
As a result of our recent meeting with the USFS and USFWS, there has been significant progress:
The USFS thanked FoWR / AF for our patience:
“I appreciate how frustrating the situation has been (for all of us). We need our partners to help to figure out what is the best and right thing to do out there. Our goal is to find a way to protect the resources while allowing recreation uses to continue.”
The Omnibus Public Lands Bill (#22) has passed the Senate and is in the House. In the the bill the Forest Service asked for a larger exclusion area for Williamson Rock from designated wilderness. Which is what FoWR had requested.
On behalf of FoWR, I have spoken with congressman David Drier’s office in support of this bill.
Thanks again for your effort and patience, we will keep you posted as news becomes available.
Troy
December 17th, 2008
Williamson Rock, Angeles National Forest Chronology of US Forest Service Management
1980s – Recreational rock climbing begins at Williamson Rock on the Angeles Crest in the Angeles National Forest.
Mid 1990s – Access Fund organizes trail projects and proposes funding for a composting toilet at Williamson Rock.
2002 – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) list the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (MYLF) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
2003 – USGS biologists prepare research papers studying the MYLF at Williamson Rock and recommend as adequate mitigation closing or rerouting trails to the rock and addressing potential human waste issues.
Spring 2004 – FWS communicate with the Angeles National Forest (ANF) about closing Williamson Rock to protect the MYLF population breeding upstream.
2004 – Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) formed. http://williamsonrock.org/index.php.
December 2005 – Access Fund contractor prepares a report analyzing alternate trail approaches to Williamson Rock and identifying potential mitigation measures.
December 2005 – ANF issues closure order “to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and temporarily limit access to approximately 1,000 acres in the area north of the Angeles Crest Highway” including Williamson Rock, “an area frequented by rock climbers.” ANF states its commitment to meet with members of the rock climbing community to work on a proposal that may eventually allow continued climbing at Williamson Rock. February 2006 – FoWR submits to the ANF an access and mitigation plan that would allow for recreational access to Williamson Rock while also conserving the MYLF population.
September 2006 – FWS designates Little Rock Creek adjacent to Williamson Rock as “Critical Habitat” under the Endangered Species Act.
January 2007 – FoWR provides the ANF with a draft “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Analysis” with the purpose to protect the MYLF population while regulating use of Williamson Rock in a manner consistent with mandates and restrictions of law.
February 2007 – ANF organizes an Inter-Disciplinary Team to analyze the Williamson Rock “temporary” closure. ANF sets a timeline for the required NEPA process to conclude by the end of 2007.
June 2007 – The Access Fund and FoWR provide scoping comments to ANF proposal to develop a management plan that will protect the MYLF and its critical habitat, while also providing access to the Williamson Rock climbing area.
October 2007 – The Santa Clara Mojave Rivers Ranger District Office is destroyed by the Buckweed Fire. All buildings and office equipment are destroyed along with records, project files, special use permit files, and contract and business files. The destruction included most of the documentation files regarding the Williamson Rock issue.
December 2007 – ANF issues decision memo authorizing the continued “temporary” closure of the Williamson Rock area from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 to address “concerns related to the protection of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog and its Critical Habitat in the area.” This decision was categorically excluded from documentation and is not subject to review or appeal.
May 2008 – ANF sends FoWR a letter explaining that until the USFS completes the environmental analysis their only option is to keep Williamson Rock closed to the public. ANF also states that it will not have the appropriated funds to undertake this process in its 2008 fiscal year and gives no timeline when funds may become available or plans for pursuing such funds.
July 2008 – ANF begins the process of re-activating its Williamson Rock Inter- Disciplinary Team. FoWR communicates with the ANF’s lead biologist who indicates that the ANF has not received the required biological opinion from the FWS because the ANF has not provided the FWS with a proposed action for managing Williamson Rock (similar to the draft FoWR provided to the ANF in January of 2007) beyond annual “temporary” closure orders. The ANF biologist indicated that the MYLF population was increasing and that a potential solution to the Williamson closure is increase the tadpole population by translocation to nearby areas.
August 2008 – FoWR calls and sends letter to the ANF urging the allocation of necessary funds to begin the environmental analysis process, either through current budget resources or via future congressional appropriations.
October 2008 – FoWR and Access Fund issue action alert urging membership to write the USFS and Congress demanding action on the Williamson Rock environmental analysis.
FoWR would like to thank REI and the Access Fund for their generous contributions!
FoWR is an Access Fund affiliate.
