BSA NEWS RELEASE: Patagonia awards Backcountry Skiers Alliance $1,000 Grant for separation of winter use project at Wolf Creek Pass
Boulder, CO -- January 10, 2001: The Patagonia Environmental Grants Program awarded the BSA with $1,000 to begin work on Wolf Creek Pass (south central Colorado) to mitigate conflict between motorized and non-motorized winter users by creating separate use areas.
Wolf
Creek Pass is a beautiful area where skiers, snowshoers, and snowboarders
enjoy the serenity of winter. There is ample terrain on the north and south
sides of the pass for human- powered recreationists to find quiet recreation;
and much of it is very challenging. In the early 1990's, snowmobile traffic
was minimal and most machines stayed on the south side of the pass where
a Forest Service road system exists. With the development of more powerful
machines, human-powered enthusiasts have noticed more and more use by snowmobiles,
and travel has increased off of the Forest Service road where non-motorized
users have traditionally enjoyed the forest. In the last two years, motorized
travel has moved to the north side of the pass as well.
Our program at Wolf Creek Pass is designed to separate the area into motorized and non-motorized zones such that each group will be allowed to enjoy the area without adversely impacting the experience of the other group. We plan to work with the Forest Service, local human-powered users, and local motorized enthusiasts to design a plan and an education program to implement the separation.
Founded in 1992, the Backcountry Skiers Alliance (BSA) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the interests of human-powered winter backcountry users by advocating for the creation, preservation and management of non-motorized areas on public lands. In the past, the group has reached agreements on Vail Pass (1996) and Rabbit Ears Pass (1999) (just south of Steamboat Springs). Just this month an agreement was reached on Buffalo Pass near Steamboat Springs. The BSA believes in using a collaborative approach as participation by all users allows them to take ownership in the process and therefore respect the outcome.
The BSA formed due to conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users on Vail Pass. The separation of use agreement was reached in 1996 and is currently funded through a fee demonstration project. On Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass, the motorized and non-motorized groups have shared the costs of the facilitation of the meetings and production of the signs and maps.
It is important for the public to understand the reasons for the separation of use, and this type of education helps all users to respect boundaries and the rights of others to use public lands.