Officials from the Olympic National Forest (ONF) are inviting the public to a talk that will focus on what the future may hold for drivers of ATVs and other off-road vehicles in the ONF ‘s Calawah River Watershed lands.

The 86,000-acre Calawah River Watershed lands are located east and northeast of Forks. Use of the land ranges from forest reserves to regular use for a wide range of recreation by West End residents including drivers from teenagers to adults of ATVs and similar vehicles.

The meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 29 in the Fir Room at the state Department of Natural Resources in Forks, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“This meeting is designed to bring together those who live, work, and recreate in the Calawah watershed,” a statement in an ONF press release states. “The community is encouraged to attend to learn more about the watershed and help plan its future.”

Preceding the meeting the ONF is holding an open house, to begin at 5 p.m. During the open house, the public will be allowed to talk to ONF staff about the use of off-road vehicles in their federal forest lands and other issues.

Dean Millett, Ranger at the Pacific Ranger District headquarters in Forks, is to lead the meeting and give a presentation on what the ONF sees as potential off-road routes in the forest watershed.

Questions from the public will be taken following the presentation.

The Forest Service plans to provide detailed information on how they are going through the planning process in determining where and what uses of off-road vehicles will be allowed.

 Anyone wishing to can provide input both before and after the meeting on current use of the Calawah watershed for off-road use, potential routes and other issues. Prior to and following the presentation, participants are invited to identify areas of interest and comment on the potential routes.

For more information on the Olympic National Forest go online to: www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.