Forest plan would limit ATVs in Eagle County

Sarah Mausolf

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Changes to summer travel in the White River National Forest are still in the works, U.S. Forest Service officials say.

Under the revised “travel management plan,” most ATVs would no longer be allowed on several popular roads in the Vail area, according to the most recent plan draft released to the public.

Forest service officials hope to finalize the plan by the fall, Forest Planner Wendy Haskins said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the plan, she said. The plan has been in the works since 2002 and has gone through several drafts and public comment periods. Haskins said officials could make changes to the plan before final approval.

According to the most recent draft:

• Several roads north of I-70 between Vail and Edwards would no longer allow ATVs wtihout license plates. They include Red Sandstone Road, Red and White Mountain Road and Muddy Pass/Moniger Road. Licensed motorized uses on the roads such as cars and Jeeps would still be allowed.
• A number of roads southeast of Red Cliff in the Camp Hale area would also close to unlicensed ATVs. They include Resolution, Hornsilver, Wearyman and McAllister roads. Licensed motorized uses would still be allowed on those roads as well.

When it comes to the proposed changes, Haskins said Forest Service officials considered whether certain uses were doing extensive damage to natural resources. They also considered whether conflicts existed between different types of recreation, such as cars and ATVs moving at high speeds on the same road.

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Source: http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100808/NEWS/100809772/1078&ParentProfile=1062

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