March 22, 2004
SUPPORT THE FRIENDS OF THE ROUTT BACKCOUNTRY'S VISION FOR A WINTER TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Background: A growing number of conflicts between skiers and snowmobilers has prompted Routt National Forest officials to begin the process of amending the current Forest Service Winter Travel Management Plan. This process is in its second stage now, presenting "alternatives" for the public to comment on.
The Forest Service has presented alternatives for two areas in the Routt National Forest:
Area A includes the Rabbit Ears and Buffalo Pass Areas.
Area B includes the North Routt area near Hahn's Peak.
(Analysis of this will be done next year.)
For a complete list of alternatives including maps, go to: www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects/rec/.
We need your comments by March 25, 2004!
Friends of the Routt Backcountry's Comments on the Alternatives
Area A -- includes areas north and south of Highway 40 from Muddy Gap to Steamboat near Rabbit Ears Pass north to Buffalo Pass and the Zirkel Wilderness.
Alternative - No Action
This alternative leaves the situation as is.
Alternative 1 -- Proposed Action
Proposed action in January 8 document: formalizing boundaries and implementation through Forest Orders. Creates designated boundaries.
The problem with this alternative is that it does not mitigate conflict on Buffalo Pass where snowmobiles have been encroaching on non-motorized areas. In addition, the east/west boundaries near Rabbit Ears Pass are not easy to distinguish causing even responsible motorized users to encroach on non-motorized areas.
Alternative 2 -- Friends of the Routt Backcountry Vision
Our vision includes a number of sub-areas selected according to the following criteria:
- significant value for backcountry touring and downhill use by skiers and/or snowshoers as evidenced by current non-motorized use
- easily accessible for day skiing from established trailheads
- quality terrain and snow cover for all ability levels
- easily definable boundaries to allow separation of motorized and non-motorized use
Alternative 3 -- Motorized Vision
This alternative gives the motorized community permission to travel anywhere on Buffalo Pass, eliminates the ski area buffer zone (the Toots), allows snowmobiles to ride on Hogan Park trail and allows motorized use of Walton Creek Parking and use of the x-country trails 5A & 5B for motorized use.
Alternative 4 --Attempt to blend ideas into one.
Unfortunately, it does not create areas that non-motorized users desire. Here are some examples of the problems:
-
Funnels snowmobile use through snowcat operation area on designated route
(FORB vision supports creating a non-motorized zone, allowing for the snowcat operation area, on Buffalo Pass, leaving an access route from Dry lake to Summit Lake for motorized traffic. The area north of Dry Lake must be designated as non-motorized to effectively buffer the wilderness. We would like to emphasize the need for snowmobiles to stay on road for 5 miles out of Dry lake campground because it allows non-motorized use of the area.) -
Provides motorized use of the saddle and the Toots and Bog areas east of the ski area.
(FORB vision supports THE CURRENT BOUNDARY DRAWN AROUND THE SKI AREA, which creates a buffer zone & protects the watershed and sensitive wetlands of the Bog. Motorized use of the Toots and Bog area adversely affects the watershed, the ski area and non-motorized use of the out of bounds area near the ski area.)
We feel that enforceable boundaries must be along the roads with signage.
Finally, we feel that the area near Walton Peak must be non-motorized as it is the only place where non-motorized users can get a turning experience. Snowmobile traffic must be funneled to South Walton Peak and east of road to S. Walton peak meadows (near Steamboat Snowmobile tours play area).
AREA B - the Hahn's Peak Area-this area will not be considered until next year, but please comment on this issue as well.
ALTERNATIVE 2-Friends of Routt Vision
This is the only alternative that preserves our PRIME SKIING and SNOWSHOEING AREA IN NORTH ROUTT. All other alternatives promote making route #418 a groomed snowmobile trail. This cuts right through the Columbine Meadows and machine use of the area will destroy the solitude, fresh powder, and peace sought by non-motorized users.
Options have been presented to the Forest Service in creating another alternative route, called the China Ditch, which would alleviate user and property owner conflict and noise issues, by channeling traffic around the east side of Hahn's Peak. These have not been included in the preliminary alternatives.
In working with the Hahn's Peak community, private property owners and Columbine Cabins FORB is also advocating eliminating the use of #490 & #129 as a groomed snowmobile route. We are working with the community and the land managers to find alternate routes and solutions to this problem. We need to show support in NUMBERS for this special area!
Please take a moment to write the Forest Service in support of The Friends of the Routt Backcountry Vision. Use any of the points above, but be sure to:
- Include your own stories of using the area and how the non-motorized experience is important to you-this is important.
- Support Alternative 2 for Area A emphasizing the value for backcountry touring and downhill use by skiers, snowboarders, and/or snowshoers as evidenced by current non-motorized use, the need to protect the ski area buffer for both out of bounds skiing and protection of the watershed, and definable boundaries that will allow for separation of use. Point out the failures in the other alternatives, especially alternatives 1 and 4.
- For Area B, emphasize the need for Columbine Meadows to be non-motorized. Tell the Forest Service that they did not cover all of the issues with these alternatives. Ask them to look for other alternatives (aside from Route 418) to get motorized traffic to the north side of Hahn's Peak without ruining the best place in North Routt to enjoy solitude.
PLEASE WRITE OR EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS ASAP TO BOTH:
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Please send copies to: Friends of the Routt Backcountry |
AND Chad Phillips |