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Officials at the White River National Forest today unveiled their long-awaited draft travel-management plan for the strained public lands, designating some areas off-limits to some forms of recreation and travel to reduce conflicts.
The plan, which had been in the works since forest managers began rewriting the overarching management plan in 1999, allows exclusive uses in some areas of the nation’s most popular national forest.
It also provides that all routes are “closed unless designated open,” mirroring a significant evolution in national policy over the past decade from the previous “open unless designated closed” guidelines that allowed vehicles to travel virtually anywhere.
While there are few surprises in the plan, specific aspects likely will be disputed by user groups, such as restrictions placed on new roadbuilding for the oil and gas industry and the closure of some popular “social” trails that were created illegally by mountain bikers and off-road vehicles.
The agency plans a series of open houses at local ranger-district offices beginning Aug. 8 to discuss the plan, and public comments will be accepted for the next 90 days online, by fax and by mail.
To comment:
The White River National Forest is accepting comments on the draft travel management plan for the next 90 days. Comments may be submitted by e-mail at wrnftmp@contentanalysisgroup.com; by mail at WRNF Travel Management Plan and DEIS, c/o Content Analysis Group, P.O. Box 2000, Bountiful, UT 84011-2000; or by fax at 1-801-397-2601.
Public open houses:
Aug. 8 – Dillon Ranger District, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m
Aug. 9 – Holy Cross and Eagle ranger districts, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Aug. 10 – Blanco Ranger District, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Aug. 16 – Rifle Ranger District, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 23 – Aspen and Sopris ranger districts, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
