Gifford Pinchot National Forest managers are seeking public input and ideas on actions the Forest Service can take to improve the visitor experience in the Lewis River Recreation Area. The Lewis River Recreation Area is primarily located on the Mt. Adams Ranger District on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Visitation to the Lewis River Recreation Area has grown significantly in recent years, leading to an increase in traffic, unconstrained parking, trash, human waste and natural resource damage, according to a press release. While these issues affect the entire corridor, they have become most pronounced at Lower Falls Day Use area. A ticket system was implemented in 2020 to manage parking within the corridor. This was a necessary step at the time to manage the level of use, but the Forest Service recognizes additional actions are needed throughout the corridor.
To assist Forest Service managers with the development of the Lewis River Recreation Area Management Plan public input is being sought.
The Lewis River Recreation Area planning boundary includes locations within a half mile of Forest Road 90 and Trail 31 (Lewis River Trail), both of which closely parallel the Lewis River, as well as locations within a half mile of shorter segments of Forest roads 9039, 93 and 9075. Altogether, 14 individual recreation sites and portions of nine trails are located within the planning boundary, according to the release.
View the Lewis River Story map. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bd77ee30e7994e 33a697e7a105f99990, to learn more about recreational opportunities, potential project ideas and how to provide feedback.
Comments can be mailed to: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters, Attn: Lewis River, 987 McClellan Rd, Vancouver, WA 98661, or email comments to SM.FS.GPLLRA@usda.gov.
