You've helped protect Red Mountain Pass
Together, we've told the US Forest Service to protect skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing opportunities at Red Mountain Pass! Thank you for writing your letters - your efforts matter!
In an effort led by our Red Mountain Pass Area Chapter (RMPA), BSA and our members submitted comment letters supporting the designation of Red Mountain Pass as unsuitable for snowmachine travel in the agency's San Juan Draft Land Management Plan. The plan, due in its final edition in February 2009, will outline management of the forest through 2025.
The plan has polarized much of the local community surrounding Red Mountain and Molas Passes, with tempers flaring in public forums hosted by the Forest Service and local newspapers. With more powerful machines and an impending forest plan, snowmobile use in the area has increased since 2005, squeezing the resources of the area's traditional recreational users, backcountry skiers and snowboarders. RMPA representatives have hung tough in the face of an angry motorized community to represent BSA's mission in the proceedings.
The draft plan suggested that the entire southeast side of Red Mountain Pass be designated as unsuitable for over-snow, motorized travel. BSA, along with the Sheep Mountain Alliance and Winter Wildlands Alliance, have supported this designation and requested that the southwest side of Red Mountain Pass be designated the same. You can learn more about BSA's position on the draft plan by reading our comment letter.
Thank you Roger Schimmel and the RMPA leadership and Board Member Rocky Smith for your hard work in this effort!
Stay tuned for more information on protecting Red Mountain Pass and other areas across Colorado.