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xjlx
Feb 15, 2006, 4:41 AM
Post #1 of 2
(1948 views)
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Registered: Oct 24, 2005
Posts: 122
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I just recieved an email from The Eastern Iowa Climbers' Coalition (EICC) saying that the DNR wants to prohibit climbing at Indian Bluff and Pictured Rocks. Included is the email.
The Eastern Iowa Climbers' Coalition (EICC) has been
notified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) is conducting a "compatible use" assessment of
rock climbing at Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs "for
the purpose of helping us evaluate the pros and cons
of this activity. This evaluation will begin
immediately with the goal of having it completed
within the next three to five weeks."
In 2003, the DNR first raised the issue of "compatible
use." At that time, the EICC was told that sport
climbing would most likely not be a compatible use
with habitat preservation and hunting. Since 2003,
the DNR has done nothing on this issue, and we have no
reason to believe that they've changed their mind.
In the past, the DNR has threatened to chop bolts at
Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs. We believe an
adverse decision will lead to the closure and
destruction of this wonderful and unique outdoor
resource.
2. Your Action Today Can Protect Iowa Climbing!
The climbing community needs you to educate the DNR
regarding the many "pros" of climbing. Please write a
brief letter or email to Dale Garner, Bureau Chief of
the Wildlife Bureau:
Consider including the following points in your letter
or email:
A)Introduce yourself, including your experiences
climbing in Iowa, the United States and around the
world.
--Explain that the rock climbing at Pictured Rocks and
Indian Bluffs is a wonderful and unique outdoor
resource.
B)Explain the many "pros" of rock climbing
--Rock climbing is a valued and historic use of Iowa's
public lands.
--Rock climbing does not conflict with other
recreational uses or animal habitat.
--Describe any positive interactions you've had with
other outdoor users at these areas, particularly
hunters and fishermen.
--Rock climbing and other self-powered outdoor
recreation attracts younger people to the state of
Iowa.
--Rock climbing develops leadership skills.
--Rock climbing is an important part of outdoor
education in many of Iowa's schools and universities.
--Rock climbing is an important source of revenue for
small Iowa businesses that sell climbing and camping
equipment or that provide guiding services.
C) MOST IMPORTANTLY: Conclude that rock climbing at
Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs should be a
"compatible use."
--Iowa rock climbers are entitled to full and equal
enjoyment of the recreational opportunities,
privileges and advantages available in Iowa's great
outdoors.
--The DNR should support safe and responsible rock
climbing.
Send your letters or emails to:
Dale Garner
Wildlife Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace Building
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Email: dale.garner@dnr.state.ia.us
Fax: (515) 281-6794
3. How Can You Stay Connected To The Climbing
Community?
The EICC will be sending out periodic emails to keep
the community informed. If you would like to be added
to our mailing list, email eiowacc@yahoo.com.
Also check our webpage for additional information:
www.geocities.com/eiowacc
If anyone has any suggestions what the climbing community can do to try and save our climbing areas any information would be appreciated.
If you feel like helping out, Feel free to copy and paste this form letter into an email to Mr. Dale Garner. You may include a few personal lines if you wish as well. Any help given to the few climbers here in Iowa is appreciated by all.
- - - - - FORM LETTER - - - - - - -
March 1, 2006
Dale Garner
Wildlife Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace Building
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Dear Mr. Dale Garner:
Upon hearing about the possible closure of climbing areas such as Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs, I felt the need to write and make my voice heard as this is a very important issue to me, the climbing community as a whole, and for that matter the entirety of the state of Iowa and all its natural resources.
Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs are some of the premier climbing areas in Iowa and are well known and well climbed by Iowa climbers. Rock climbing is past time of many people from many backgrounds who are active within their communities. It is important to maintain such a great form of recreation for the people of Iowa, not only for the actual climbing, but for the economy of Iowa as well. Rock climbing brings in substantial revenue for the Iowa economy through the purchase of equipment and through the support of many businesses surrounding these climbing areas.
Rock climbing is a compatible use for these areas as it does not disturb the natural surroundings more than any other type of outdoor recreation. It is an important part of leadership and outdoor education in many of Iowa’s schools and universities and does not conflict with other types of outdoor recreation. Many climbers make up the people who participate in these other forms of outdoor recreation such as hunting and fishing and thus know this from experience. As citizens of Iowa, the climbing community should be granted full and equal enjoyment of these recreational opportunities that Iowa’s great outdoors provide.
The climbing community is diverse and I hope to show you with my letter that it is large and influential. I would hope that you would take this into consideration as you make your decision—a decision that could affect thousands of Iowans and their use of the natural resources that we all together work so hard to protect.
Sincerely,
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nightshade
Feb 15, 2006, 4:46 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1948 views)
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Registered: Jun 11, 2005
Posts: 11
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Hey all,
I would just like to say that anyone who has ever climbed in Iowa or lived in Iowa and realized that there is almost no climbing, please email this guy, I just did, and I the best thing to be done is to show him how many people this decision is going to affect. Any support would be great.
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