February 2000
Center for New West Conference
On February 4, 2000, the BSA was invited to speak at the Center for the New West's Conference entitled Access 2000: Public Lands and Self Determination: Restoring Balance and Common Sense to Federal Land Management.
The BSA presented a case study: The Vail Pass Compromise. Ev Elmendorf, BSA Board Member and Vail Pass Task Force Executive Director presented the history of the Vail Pass efforts for the last 10 years. She emphasized that the Forest Service was vital in getting the user-groups to work together to come to the compromise. The motorized and non-motorized groups worked out the details of the compromise. Thanks to Mel Wolf, President of the Colorado Snowmobile Association, and Peter Looram, BSA Board Member and Executive Director of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association for providing the snowmobiler's and non-motorized perspectives respectively. Both agreed that the Vail Pass compromise was made possible by both groups listening to one another and finding common areas of compromise.
This conference included many speakers who have worked with coalitions in coming to agreements on how Federal Lands should be used. Many of these coalitions include only those who live near the lands. Discussion centered on allowing these coalitions (without input from the federal government) the right to determine how the lands are used.
There was little input at the conference from citizens who might choose to enjoy the land from afar. There was also much bashing of the government and its role in the management of federal lands.
The BSA tried to leave the audience with the point that the reason the compromise on Vail Pass has worked is due to federal involvement. Only after the Forest Service told the motorized community that if they did not come to the table, the Forest Service would make all the decisions.
Although it is not perfect at Vail Pass, it is a vast improvement over 10 years ago with segregated areas for motorized and non-motorized use.