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.
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.
The photo gallery for this story can be seen here
June 28th, 2007
As you are aware Friends of Williamson Rock is an Access Fund Affiliate. The goal of this relationship is to strengthen the climbing community and the collective voice of climbers across the United States.
In the Access Fund’s continual effort to support the work of Friends of Williamson Rock, the Access Fund and Friends of Williamson Rock have created an annual membership drive program that directly benefits your local needs. Through the end of the summer (September 3, 2007), a portion of every climber’s Access Fund membership contribution associated with Friends of Williamson Rock will be given directly to Friends of Williamson Rock.
How it works:
1. Logon to http://www.accessfund.org/affiliate
2. Renew your membership or contribute an additional donation. For climbers new to the Access Fund, we are offering a special introductory rate of $10.00 only available here [http://www.accessfund.org/affiliate] during the membership drive through September 3.
3. Select Friends of Williamson Rock in the drop-down menu before the end of the summer (September 3, 2007). The Access Fund will automatically designate a portion of your membership dollars to support the work of Friends of Williamson Rock.
On behalf of Friends of Williamson Rock, the Access Fund, and the entire climbing community, thank you for making a difference in keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment on the national, regional, and local level.
Climb-on,
Troy Mayr
June 12th, 2007
This is a copy of FoWR’s response to the USFS scoping letter. It has been reformatted for posting on the blog.
Dear District Ranger Capell,
I am writing on behalf of the non-profit organization Friends of Williamson Rock to support the USFS Angeles National Forest Santa Clara/Mojave River Ranger District’s proposal to develop a trail that will protect the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (MYLF) and its critical habitat, while also providing access to the Williamson Rock climbing area. We sincerely appreciate the Santa Clara/Mojave River Ranger District’s continuous outreach to the climbing community throughout this process and thank you for the opportunity to provide scoping comments.
Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and an Access Fund Affiliate. FoWR is committed to preserving climbing access and activity, as well as protecting the natural environment of the Williamson Rock area.(1) FoWR encourages an ethic of personal responsibility, self- regulation, strong conservation values and minimum impact practices among climbers.
FoWR was organized in 2005 in response to a request from Jody Noiron, Angeles National Forest Supervisor, and Cid Morgan, the previous District Ranger, to provide a liaison to work with the USFS regarding current and future issues that affect the climbing community and its interest in Williamson Rock. FoWR has been working cooperatively with the Santa Clara/Mojave River USFS district since the closure was announced in December 2005. We have made every effort to broadcast the closure among climbers and to have the closure respected by the climbing community. In response to USFS requests, FoWR has researched and written proposals addressing the issues at hand: protection of the MYLF and continued access to the Williamson Rock area.
Since the closure, representatives from FoWR have been on several field trips to Williamson Rock with USFS representatives. On these field trips, FoWR provided a trail expert to help determine how best to maintain access without affecting the MYLF critical habitat, which is upstream and downstream of the actual climbing area. Additionally, FoWR applied for, and received grants from REI, the Access Fund, and many individual donations, which can be used towards studies of the area, trail building, signage, and any other help we can give to the USFS.
I. Climbing at Williamson Rock
Williamson Rock is a very important resource to climbers in Southern California. The area is also well known among climbers from outside the region, including international climbers. It is THE primary site for summer climbing in Southern California due to its elevation, exceptional climbing routes and beautiful setting. The climbing guide, Southern California Sport Climbing lists hundreds of routes at Williamson Rock (Mayr, 2006). Climbers represent the principal recreation user group of the area. Nearly all of FoWR’s 500 members live in Southern California.
FoWR recognizes that recreational access at Williamson Rock must be balanced with proper management to protect the critical habitat needs of the MYLF. FoWR appreciates the USFS’s acknowledgment of the importance of climbing opportunities and believes the proposed trail provides a workable solution that will allow the MYLF and climbers to coexist. FoWR believes that climbers can not only coexist, but can help maintain the critical habitat of the MYLF. Climbers, are strong supporters of the environment, open space and conservation. In some cases, particularly crags that are in proximity to large urban areas, the presence of climbers is appreciated as a deterrent to other public land users who may litter, start fires, and are loud and disrespectful of other people and the environment. Climbers also know it is important to be respectful of the areas they climb at if they want to continue to climb there. This is evidenced by the many established climbing areas throughout California, including Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park. Designing a trail that will allowing climbing access to Williamson Rock, while working with FoWR to disseminate information and education to protect critical MYLF habitat, would allow use of this valuable climbing resource and support its conservation for future generations.
II. Williamson Rock Trail
The access trail proposed in the Angeles National Forest’s (ANF) Williamson Rock Area and Trail scoping map (2) appears to incorporate the main existing climbers trail. This proposed trail also reflects recommendations by the United States Geological Society (USGS) that “a trail could be constructed that would eliminate foot traffic from the frog area and offer a more direct route to the climbing area as well. Educational signs about the MYLF and about sound sanitation practices could also improve the current condition of the frog habitat there”.(3) Preliminary assessments indicate that the majority of the rock is located outside the stream bed corridor and several hundred feet away from where the MYLF has been located to date, making it probable that the ANF’s proposed trail would not impact MYLF habitat.(4) Consequently, education of climbers and appropriate signage will help to eliminate any intrusion into the MYLF habitat. In partnership with FoWR, there are many ways to educate climbers about any access protocol:
- the dissemination of information throughout the climbing community via climbing gyms, gear shops, and websites and climbing advocacy groups
- signage at a strategic location(s) on the access trail
- information in climbing guides.
In addition to dissemination of information, there are several benefits that a continued partnership with FoWR would provide. FoWR will perform volunteer stewardship projects that will maintain and, if needed, modify the proposed trail. FoWR and the climbing community will monitor the success of the proposed action. Last, and not least, a partnership would provide the opportunity for the USFS to engage the climbing community in the resolution of a critical resource challenge. Such an engagement would no doubt prove extremely instructive, and serve as an invaluable exercise in public lands stewardship.
Now, more than ever, the future of our public lands rests on cooperative partnerships between land management agencies and the public. Given the conservation challenges that exist within the Southern California region a cooperative partnership with FoWR and the climbing community will afford benefits that have the potential to extend far beyond Williamson Rock. Friends of Williamson Rock stands ready to assist the Santa Clara/Mojave River Ranger District’s further exploration of the feasibility of the
Conclusion
We, the members of Friends of Williamson Rock, strongly support the proposed action of developing a trail that will protect the mountain yellow-legged frog and re-opening Williamson Rock to climbing. We are willing to work in partnership with the USFS in every way, with planning, labor and money, to ensure that this is done.
Sincerely,
Troy Mayr
President, Friends of Williamson Rock
- On May 15, 2003 the Access Fund and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) entered into a memorandum of understanding (See http://accessfund.org/pdf/AF-03-MOU-USFS.pdf) to formalize a cooperative agreement to work at the national, regional and local levels on mutually beneficial programs, projects, training and other activities related to climbing management on USFS lands. The heart of the agreement is the commitment by the Forest Service to encourage its local officials to participate with Access Fund staff, representatives and affiliates in the development of mutually beneficial work projects and educational activities.
- http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/documents/Williamson_areaMap.pdf
- USGS Draft Annual Report, 2003 Natural History and Recovery Analysis for Southern California Populations of the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa)
- In mid-December, 2005, the Access Fund funded a survey of Williamson Rock for the primary purpose of assessing the potential human disturbance or threats to the MYLF and its habitats, particularly those related to rock climbing, and identifying possible prescriptions for the mitigation of these impacts. This assessment was completed by Mark Hesse of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute. Accompanying Mark Hesse on his field assessment were Angeles National Forest District Resource Officer Jonathan Schwartz, Wildlife Biologist Teresa Sue, Forest Botanist Janet Nickerman, Cindy Hitchcock of US Geologic Survey, Jesse Bennett of the US Fish and Wildlife, and local climber, guidebook author and Friends of Williamson Rock founder Troy Mayr. proposed trail, as well as the creation and implementation of educational messaging to assist in compliance.
December 17th, 2006
Currently we are seeking persons to spearhead our fundraising effort & serve on the FoWR Board of Directors in that capacity.
Experience in fundraising would be great it is by no means necessary. Qualities that are necessary include, enough free time to devote to the task as a volunteer (everyone at FoWR is a volunteer), good communication skills, a creative thinker and the desire to have Williamson Rock re-opened to climbing! Outdoor industry experience would also be beneficial but again not necessary.
If you think you can help us out please submit an informal resume including your age, occupation, climbing experience, geographic location and anything else you feel pertinent. Send to Troy Mayr, FoWR CEO at troy@williamsonrock.org
Otherwise, year end is a great time to make a tax deductible donation to FoWR. Your contributions make progress possible.
You can make your donation here.
We hope to hear from you soon!
July 14th, 2006
Although little tangible activity has occurred recently FoWR is
continuing consultation with the Forest Service in efforts to enable
access to Williamson Rock by the 2007 climbing season. We thank you all
for refraining from climbing at the crag, as you know,
your continued compliance with access restrictions is necessary
to maintain cooperative relationships with the various resource
agencies that have made themselves available to FoWR.
June 5th, 2006
Today (6.5.06) FoWR (Troy Mayr, Jim Baeza, Ian Wren and Eric Charlton) met with our Forest Service liaison to conduct a field visit with the Forest Service and to better acquaint Ian and Eric of the current situation. Ian and Eric are environmental consultants working with FoWR to facilitate coordination with the Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. During the visit the ‘short trail’ was mapped via GPS in order to depict the existing trail on the proposal currently being prepared for submission to the Forest Service. This document shall be submitted for public review, after which time consultation pursuant to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) shall be initiated. This process is required to implement a project intended to lessen the impacts to the MYLF. Although the extent of this project has not been established, some measures suggested by the Forest Service include, trail management, toilet installation and periodic monitoring.
It should be stressed that no promises have been made be either parties and on-going consultation is required over the course of the summer in order to determine the extent of measures that FoWR will adopt. Any actions carried out by the climbing community that undermines this effort is detrimental to the efforts of FoWR and only decreases our chances of ever climbing at WR again. We were disappointed to see that Forest Service posted signs had been vandalized and that climbers had obviously visited WR recently, as evidenced by trail use, and construction of cairns and water crossings. Our Forest Service liaison, whom has been incredibly gracious and helpful, was obviously annoyed by this and made it known that the next step is implementation of more intensive monitoring and granting of $5,000 fines to anyone who violates the closure.
We urge all to stress that WR is closed and any efforts intended to undermine the closure not only wear on the nerves of the Forest Service, but also those members of FoWR who have invested a lot of time in facilitating the re-opening of WR. For those who have resisted the urge to climb, as the temps have risen in the flatlands. we thank you. As news becomes available we will let the community know, but please be patient and know that WR will definitely be closed for the duration of this year.
