January 20, 2004

CALLING ALL QUIET WINTER BACKCOUNTRY USERS:
WE MUST SPEAK UP NOW!

ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST BEGINS LONG-DELAYED
ANALYSIS OF WINTER RECREATION
YOUR COMMENTS NEEDED BY FEBRUARY 9, 2004

Several years after conflicts between motorized and non-motorized winter backcountry users started to get serious, the Forest Service has finally started a process that could lead to establishment of legally-enforceable boundaries defining some areas where motorized use will not be allowed. Your participation is essential to ensure that the Forest Service does not retreat in the face of what is likely to be strong pressure to continue to allow motorized winter use everywhere on the Routt National Forest outside of wilderness.

Background: Winter use of the Routt National Forest, both motorized and non-motorized, has greatly increased in the last 10 years. Areas such as Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass get very crowded on weekends. Conflicts between users have increased in frequency and intensity. Parking lots, especially at Buffalo Pass, are often full, forcing prospective users to go elsewhere or park illegally.

Use in Northern Routt County, while still much lower than that on Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Passes, is also steadily increasing. In 10 years or less, parts of this region could have conflicts as severe as those now experienced at Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Passes if nothing is done to address problems.

Voluntary separation of users has not worked. To address winter recreation conflicts, the Forest Service and various user group representatives formed the Routt Winter Task Force in the late 1990s. This group agreed upon voluntary closures, i. e., that certain areas, clearly depicted on maps and with signs in the backcountry, were reserved for non-motorized use. Unfortunately, these boundaries continue to be regularly violated by some motorized users, making it difficult for non-motorized users to find the peace, solitude, and untracked powder they desire. But because the closures of these areas to motorized use are voluntary, the Forest Service cannot cite or prosecute people who violate them. Thus the violations continue unabated.

The analysis of how to manage winter recreation on the Routt has begun. In early January, 2004, the Forest Service announced that it is seeking public comment on the following:

  1. A forest-wide winter recreation assessment. The agency will gather information on recreation problems across the whole Routt Forest, including, but not limited to: a) areas where separation of motorized and non-motorized users is needed, and b) the need for parking and toilets at trailheads.

  2. Analysis of closure to motorized use of some areas near Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Passes and in north Routt County. For Rabbit Ears and Buffalo, these proposals generally follow the existing voluntary closures. The proposal for north Routt has a major problem (see below). See maps depicting both proposals at www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects/rec (Note: these maps may take some time to display in your web browser.)

  3. A proposed addendum to Routt County's Upper Elk River Valley Community Plan, Recreational Uses and Public Lands chapter. This may include gathering of information on existing routes and trailheads, including conflicts between recreational, commercial, and residential uses.

After evaluating the comments received, the Forest Service will, later this year, publish an environmental assessment with specific proposals for management of the winter backcountry. Comments will be crucial then, but they are also very important now, as we must show support for non-motorized-only areas.

PROBLEMS WITH THE PROPOSED ACTION IN NORTH ROUTT.
The Forest Service proposes to open roads 490 and 418 to motorized use. These routes are the primary access to Hahn's Peak for skiers and other non-motorized recreationists, including those that stay at Columbine Cabins. If these routes are opened, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to keep snowmobiles off the north side of Hahn's Peak, quickly destroying any solitude and untracked powder there. There is absolutely no reason to open these routes, as there are alternate routes for snowmobiles further east, where they already travel.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1) We need a massive number of letters to show the Forest Service that there is a widespread base of support for creating separate areas for winter non-motorized recreation on some parts of the Routt National Forest. Remember, motorized interests will likely write in considerable numbers to ask that such areas NOT be created.

Write to: Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Attn: Mary Sanderson, 2468 Jackson St., Laramie, WY 82070. You may fax comments to 307 745-2398. Or submit comments electronically via e-mail to r2_mbr_vis@fs.fed.us. Please put "Winter Rec" in the subject line to ensure proper routing of your comments. Your comments should be postmarked, e-mailed or faxed by February 9 and should include your name and address to ensure the Forest Service considers your comments.

Make the following points in your letter, fax, or e-mail:

  • Briefly describe your winter recreation use of the Routt National Forest. Especially note any conflicts you have experienced with motorized use, and describe any areas where you think winter motorized recreation should not be allowed.

  • Strongly support the idea of creating separate areas for non-motorized recreation in parts of the Routt National Forest. State that non-motorized users want and deserve quiet, safe places to practice their forms of recreation.

  • Insist that areas traditionally used only by non-motorized recreation on Hahn's Peak remain that way. Specifically, roads 418 and 490, the primary access to Hahn's Peak for skiers must not be opened to motorized use. Otherwise, there will be no peace and solitude for skiers on the north side of Hahn's Peak.

2) Attend Open Houses. The Forest service will hold the meetings listed below to answer questions about, and receive input on, the proposed actions. Maps showing the proposed management will be available for perusal.

January 26, 3-6pm Olympian Hall, Howelsen Hill, Steamboat Springs
January 27, 3-6pm Steamboat Lake State park Conference Room
January 29, 3-6pm Yampa Town Hall
February 3, 3-6pm Parks Ranger District Office, Walden

THIS IS OUR BIG CHANCE TO GET THE REGULATION OF THE BACKCOUNTRY WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR. DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO AID THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT!

The Backcountry Snowsports Alliance (BSA) and Friends of the Routt Backcountry (FORB) will keep you informed on further developments on this issue. If you have any questions about this issue, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Leslie Lovejoy
FORB
friendsofrouttbackcountry@mindspring.com
970.879.8710

Kim Hedberg
Backcountry Snowsports Alliance
kim@backcountryalliance.org
303.494.5266

Christi Ruppe
Western Colorado Congress
cruppe@wccongress.org
970.846.8488