Who can do what on national forest trails from the West Fork to Lizard Head pass is being negotiated through a series of public meetings.<\/p>\n
At the Dolores Community Center last Thursday, user groups were asked to supply research and articles on the values, conditions, and threats to their preferred forest activities.<\/p>\n
Represented were hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders, hunters, ATV users, single-track motorcyclists, quiet users, ranchers, area towns and counties, the U.S. Forest Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.<\/p>\n
The meetings are a prelude to a Travel Management Plan (TMP) for the Rico-West Dolores district.<\/p>\n
A proposed action for a new recreation map will be presented by the Forest Service in September and will be followed by public meetings. Eventually a record of decision will create an updated travel map.<\/p>\n
A six-page listing of articles and reports used by forest officials for the area was reviewed by the panel. Each representative had a chance to discuss their issues.<\/p>\n
Tiff Rodriguez, representing horse users, wants better public education on which trails allow what, and how to handle meeting different user groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople hide behind a tree, or get off the trail on the high side, things that spook horses,\u201d she said. \u201cCome on out and say hello is a better approach. People need to know what to expect on a trail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rick Keck, representing ATV\u2019ers, said what is missing from the research is an \u201cDoctor of motorized use.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost the most in the last 30 years,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re heartbroken when we ride to our favorite spot and see a closed sign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keck added that an social economist is needed to document the value of multiple use and public access.<\/p>\n
Casey McClellan, representing motorcyclists, said historical use of trails needs to be respected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a long history of motorcycle riding on forest trails,\u201d he said. \u201cA summary of the history of these trails would be helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dani Gregory advocates for improving trails so they are sustainable long-term.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means less fixing and easier long-term management,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Realignment of some trails makes sense, \u201cbut that does not equate to making them easier. We seek out the more difficult trails.\u201d<\/p>\n
Improved trail design plays a role in how fast mountain bikers ride. Gregory added that fast-traveling mountain bikers does not mean they are out of control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe elephant in the room is unauthorized trails, we don\u2019t condone that because it does not help our cause,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
So-called quiet users like hikers, cross-country skiers, and anglers are the most common in the forest, said hiker Bob Marion.<\/p>\n
\u201cMotorized users displace quiet users. It makes a trail single-use for motorized,\u201d he stated. \u201cStudies show 65 percent of forest users want separation of motorized and non-motorized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marion said the TMP rules calls for minimizing damage to the forest, and should minimize conflicts between users.<\/p>\n
Quiet users tend to align with hunters, who are frequently critical of motorized users of displacing game.<\/p>\n
Hunter Mike Kern noted that a solution is considering seasonal closures for certain areas with big game habitat.<\/p>\n
\u201cMotorized noise makes a difference on the success of a hunt,\u201d Kern said. \u201cIt is especially important for muzzle-loaders and bow hunters.\u201d<\/p>\n
More representation from outfitters is needed in the discussion, Marion said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are major contributors to our economy and rely on quiet user areas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
District Ranger Derek Padilla responded to claims that the county has jurisdiction over all forest roads, and that closing forest roads limits access for emergency services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe county assertion that we don\u2019t have jurisdiction over forest roads is a point of disagreement for us,\u201d Padilla said. \u201cThere is no prohibition to emergency services accessing a location (on the forest) in performance of their official duties.\u201d<\/p>\n