Kaibab officials to close roads in bid to curb forest damage

Felicia Fonseca

FLAGSTAFF — Kaibab National Forest officials plan to close about one-fifth of the roads in the Tusayan Ranger District in an effort to reduce damage to natural resources.

Officials point to scarred hillsides and meadows, roads marked with ruts and destruction of archaeological sites as reason to remove 143 miles of road from the district's 709-mile system.

"It's a delicate balancing act, and I think for the most part people think we're trying to look at all concerns and all uses of the forest and be as fair as possible," said Jackie Banks, a spokeswoman for the Kaibab, which is in Northern Arizona.

The move is part of the federal government's Travel Management Rule in which forest officials designate roads, trails and areas that are open to motor-vehicle use and minimize cross-country travel.

"We're trying to provide plenty of access for the forest and plenty of opportunity for off-highway vehicle use," Banks said. "But at the same time protect natural resources and stop that cross-country travel."

Harrison Schmitt, executive director of Virginia-based Responsible Trails America, said a designated route system for off-road vehicle use is the right approach.

But he said he's concerned the U.S. Forest Service won't have the resources to effectively implement and enforce plans once they're completed.

"Congress must make ORV management a priority as they consider agency budgets in the coming months," he said.

Banks said the forest solicited public input before coming up with a decision on which roads to close.

Six miles of currently unauthorized routes will be added to the forest.

The end result of the plan will be a free motor-vehicle-use map that designates where travel is allowed and at what times during the year.

Source: http://www.azstarnet.com/news/291242

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites