GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Officials have released a finalized plan for managing traffic in the White River National Forest.
Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwil liams says the plan has taken seven years to complete and that it’s a pragmatic solution for managing travel and protecting natural resources in the 2.3 million-acre forest.
The travel plan distinguishes between winter and summer travel and includes which areas are open to winter motorized travel and which aren’t.
The plan would close 519 miles of official roads and trails as well as 692 miles of unofficial routes. About 225 miles of official routes would be added to the system.
Conservationists criticized the inclusion of the 225 miles of “bandit roads.” Those roads weren’t authorized by the Forest Service but were carved out illegally by all-terrain vehicles going off the official routes.
Fitzwilliams’ decision is subject to a 45-day appeals period.
