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Williamson Rock Closure
Williamson Rock is CLOSED TO CLIMBING!
Southern California's most popular Summer Sport Climbing Crag is Closed.
For those who have not yet heard...
The US Forest Service has issued a temporary closure of Williamson Rock to climbing. The closure is based on protecting the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF) an endangered species, over which the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has jurisdiction. The Forest Service has been urged by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to close Williamson Rock and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail to avoid any impacts until a comprehensive plan has been established. Any plan will be pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Although the MYLF habitat lies in the general area of Williamson Rock, there is no evidence that climbing in has negatively affected the MYLF population.
Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR), a 501(c)3 non-profit, was formed to act as a liaison with the Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, work toward the reopening of Williamson Rock to climbing and to manage any other related climber projects. FoWR has met with the Forest Service several times and opened a dialog with them. The Forest Service has suggested a path toward re-opening Williamson Rock to climbing. However, the mandated procedures are both lengthy and complicated and the soonest we can hope for re-opening would be Summer 2007.
FoWR wishes to stress that while Williamson Rock is closed, entering the area or climbing at Williamson Rock is a violation of Federal law, which could result in imprisonment, a $5,000 fine or both. Perhaps just as important, failure of climbers to respect the temporary closure could irreparable damage to current climber/agency relations and any hope of re-opening the area again. FoWR is working to increase awareness among climbers of the situation.
FoWR's most recent meeting with the Forest Service was on May 8, 2006. As a result of this meeting, FoWR is proceeding with a proposal which, it is hoped, will lead to the eventual lifting of the closure of this very popular sport climbing area. For more information and to join FoWR please goto:
http://williamsonrock.org/
Troy Mayr
FoWR
More information in this forum thread.
Southern California's most popular Summer Sport Climbing Crag is Closed.
For those who have not yet heard...
The US Forest Service has issued a temporary closure of Williamson Rock to climbing. The closure is based on protecting the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF) an endangered species, over which the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has jurisdiction. The Forest Service has been urged by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to close Williamson Rock and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail to avoid any impacts until a comprehensive plan has been established. Any plan will be pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Although the MYLF habitat lies in the general area of Williamson Rock, there is no evidence that climbing in has negatively affected the MYLF population.
Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR), a 501(c)3 non-profit, was formed to act as a liaison with the Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, work toward the reopening of Williamson Rock to climbing and to manage any other related climber projects. FoWR has met with the Forest Service several times and opened a dialog with them. The Forest Service has suggested a path toward re-opening Williamson Rock to climbing. However, the mandated procedures are both lengthy and complicated and the soonest we can hope for re-opening would be Summer 2007.
FoWR wishes to stress that while Williamson Rock is closed, entering the area or climbing at Williamson Rock is a violation of Federal law, which could result in imprisonment, a $5,000 fine or both. Perhaps just as important, failure of climbers to respect the temporary closure could irreparable damage to current climber/agency relations and any hope of re-opening the area again. FoWR is working to increase awareness among climbers of the situation.
FoWR's most recent meeting with the Forest Service was on May 8, 2006. As a result of this meeting, FoWR is proceeding with a proposal which, it is hoped, will lead to the eventual lifting of the closure of this very popular sport climbing area. For more information and to join FoWR please goto:
http://williamsonrock.org/
Troy Mayr
FoWR
More information in this forum thread.
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3 Comments
Add a Comment
stevecurtis    2007-05-21 |
I haven't been to williamson in years, but I haven't lived in So Cal since 95. A closure for a frog is ludicrious. Some party simply wanted climbers out of this area, and the endangered species act was the excuse. |
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stevecurtis 2007-05-21 |
I haven't been to williamson in years, but I haven't lived in So Cal since 95. A closure for a frog is ludicrious. Some party simply wanted climbers out of this area, and the endangered species act was the excuse. |
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steadfastclimber 2010-04-08 |
i have not been to williamson since 04. Does anyone know if this closure is still active? Some of the best climbing I have ever done in south cali. |
