Access Notes - Vol. 11 Fall 1995

A Terrible Precedent

City of Rocks Plan Would Maintain Twin Sisters Closure

Absurd as it sounds, this scenario could become more likely if two management plans proposed for City of Rocks National Reserve in Idaho are approved without modification.

Immediate action by climbers is necessary to change the policy included in the Comprehensive Management Plan and Draft Climbing Management Plan that prohibits climbing on the Twin Sisters formation, a National Historic Landmark. This policy is based on the recommendation of historic preservationists, who ignored the findings of a 1993 study conducted by the National Park Service which found that climbers could rarely be seen or heard and cause minimal environmental impacts at the Twin Sisters.

The historic preservationists claim that climbing compromises the "feeling" and "association" in its context as part of the "historic viewshed." If this seems like an arbitrary and non-sensical reason to ban climbing on an important climbing resource, well, that's what the Access Fund thinks too. Moreover, if this policy is upheld, similar closures could be imposed on other climbing resources which have significant historic and/or cultural value, such as Devils Tower.

A strong response from climbers can force a re-evaluation of this policy. Final approval of the Comprehensive Plan awaits completion of the Climbing Plan. Climbers have until September 15 to comment on the Draft Climbing Management Plan, and are urged to make the following points:

• the Twin Sisters impacts study should be the basis for climbing policy, rather than the exclusionary opinion of a small group of history buffs;
• the Park Service is not obligated to follow the recommendation of historic preservationists, and should make policy that balances preservation and recreational use;
• the Park Service should determine how the California Trail Sub-zone can most appropriately be experienced by modern-day visitors, not a single interest group;
• imposing a Look-But-Don't Touch rule is not necessary to preserve the historic character and values of the Twin Sisters, and precludes many visitors from fully appreciating this resource;
• the Draft Climbing Plan itself recognizes that scrambling and climbing on Twin Sisters are part of the area's historic value: "It is reasonable to assume that [people} over the preceding centuries may have climbed one or both of the [Twin Sisters]."
• climbers recognize the historic significance of the Twin Sisters, and are willing to accept limitations on their activity to help protect this resource.

Although the Access Fund does not support mandatory permits for climbing unless other, less restrictive management actions have been tried first and proven ineffective, we believe in this case a limited permit system may be an acceptable compromise to preserve access to the Twin Sisters.

The permit proposal would allow for better education of climbers and the public about the historic significance of the Twin Sisters.

YOUR ACTION NEEDED!

Please submit comments on the Draft Climbing Plan for City of Rocks. For a copy of the plan, call City of Rocks at 208.824.5519.

For more information, call local activists Allen Sanderson (801.581 .3144) or Tom Jones (801.278.5552).

Send your comments to the following elected officials, with a cover note asking for their help in obtaining an impartial review of the Twin Sisters decision.

• Idaho Congressional Representative Mike Crapo, 437 Cannon Bldg., Washington DC 20515;
• Utah Congressional Representative Jim Hansen, 508 House Annex 1, Washington, D.C. 20515;
• Governor Phil Batt, State House, Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0034;
• Idaho State Representative Jim Kempton, Star Route, Box 28, Albion, ID 83311; Senator Denton Darrington, Route 1, Delco ID 83323