Six Rivers National Forest has requested input from the public on whether target shooting should continue to be allowed within the Horse Mountain Botanical Area in the Lower Trinity Ranger District. Horse Mountain was established in 1995 due to its unique serpentine plant communities including rare plants and unique populations of Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). While recreational shooting is allowed on some federal lands under the Dingell Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, designated botanical areas require special consideration and protection. Despite clear direction from the Six Rivers Forest Management Plan that emphasizes protection of unique botanical values, for educational purposes, and for recreational use compatible with these values, target shooting has continued in the sensitive area of Horse Mountain for decades, leading to illegal dumping/trash and dangerous conditions for folks visiting the area.
Click here to send a comment to the U.S. Forest Service about your experiences regarding Horse Mountain's special resources and safety concerns by July 30, 2024. Please personalize your letter to have a stronger effect and include the mention of the Dingell Act, as shown in the key messages below. Letters can also be mailed to the following address:
Six Rivers National Forest
Attn: Justin Spedding
1330 Bayshore Way
Eureka, CA 95501
Consider using the following key messages:
I enjoy the Horse Mountain Botanical Area for its natural beauty. The area provides outdoor recreation opportunities for many families and serves as an outdoor laboratory for university classes and student research. It is well known for its biodiversity and rare plants; the area holds significant ecological value.
I have serious safety concerns due to the risk of bullets entering the surrounding forest or ricocheting off trees where visitors might be walking. In addition, gunfire disrupts the peaceful atmosphere and detracts from the overall experience of being in the Horse Mountain Botanical Area. The amount of trash left behind where shooting occurs and the illegal dumping is disturbing and harmful to sensitive ecological resources. For these reasons, the Horse Mountain Botanical Area should be permanently closed to recreational shooting under Section 4103 (A) (1) of the Dingell Act.
Please close the Horse Mountain Botanical Area to shooting activities and establish a more suitable and managed location for target shooting.