April 28, 2003
Friends of the Routt Backcountry Create Vision for Winter Recreation
Steamboat Springs, CO -- The Steamboat Chapter of the BSA has formed a vision for non-motorized winter recreation in the Routt National Forest. The Friends of the Routt Backcountry met with maps and an understanding of what is important to skiers, snowshoers, and other non-motorized snow players, and created a vision for what the winter backcountry should look like. This vision includes specific areas on the entire forest that the group feels should be maintained by the Forest Service as non-motorized. Conditions considered included quiet, untracked areas within five miles of a trailhead, the use of geographic boundaries, protection of sensitive areas for watersheds and wildlife, and separation of motorized and non-motorized use.
After 4 years of meetings, the Rabbit Ears Task Force, comprised of BSA members, snowmobilers, and hybrid users (those who use a snowmobile to get to places to ski and snowboard) has disbanded. The Winter Task Force meetings were moderated by the US Forest Service that is responsible for the management of the public lands on the Routt National Forest. Specific requests from each group were taken into consideration in developing a management plan; however, due to a stalemate, no progress has been made within the Task Force for the past 18 months.