January 2003
White River National Forest Plan Appealed
The BSA has filed an appeal over the White River National Forest Plan Revision, saying that certain portions the final plan do not follow laws and regulations pertaining to forest planning with respect to winter recreation issues.
Specifically, five changes have been requested. These include - 1) monitoring of winter recreational conflicts, 2) disclosure of winter recreation conflicts and explanation of how conflicts between users will be addressed, 3) inclusion of management prescriptions in the Vail Pass Area to ensure that the work done by the Vail Pass Task Force is reflected in the plan, 4) motor vehicle closure of areas of the Forest as required by regulation to resolve winter recreation conflicts, and 5) changing allocations of the 8.25 management area prescription to ensure that current quality backcountry terrain is not lost to ski area expansions.
We expect to meet with the Forest Service in early 2002 to determine whether negotiations can resolve these issues.