June 2001
Steamboat Springs Chapter Update
Though the ski season is over and everyone has left town for their respective escape from mud season (river rafting, desert ratting, or ranching), the Friends of the Routt Backcountry (the Steamboat Chapter of the BSA) is gearing up for next winter. Only 120 more days til the next snowfall (or thereabouts!)
We had an exciting season this year. It was capped by our success at getting areas designated as non-motorized on Buffalo Pass. The area was divided into areas suitable for motorized, hybrid, and non-motorized use. These are suggested-use areas, and compliance is voluntary. The consensus process began in the fall with meetings with the Winter Task Force and the Forest Service. An agreement was reached in January, and the open house for public input was held at the Forest Service Office in Steamboat at the end of March. Signs have been made and will be posted next season. The Friends of the Routt Backcountry and the Snowmobile Clubs paid for the facilitated meetings, the signs, and the maps. This collaborative process took a significant amount of effort from all groups concerned: skiers, snowmobilers, and hybrids. We have just been informed that the snowcat operator, Blue Sky West, who particiated in the meetings where this agreement was reached, is applying for a permit change that will adversely affect the agreement. Please send your comments in by June 30. See article on page 1 for details. Thanks to everyone who helped out, and we hope people will respect these suggested boundaries.
At Rabbit Ears Pass, we continued to educate and survey users in the area. Though not everyone kept to the suggested areas, compliance is estimated at over 95 percent. We hope with time, the others will respect the boundaries.
Next fall we will begin work on the North Routt, the area near Hahn's Peak. Currently, the commercial ski and snowmobile outfitters are collaborating to try to ensure everyone's enjoyment of the area. The Friends of the Routt Backcountry hope to have a representative attend meetings next year to ensure that the voice of the backcountry skier is heard.
For more information, please contact Leslie Lovejoy at 303.870.6445 or lovejoy@cmn.net.