New rules for ATVs in some areas

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Written by Durango Herald   
Sunday, January 17, 2010

Patrick Young

Off-road enthusiasts will face new limitations on national forest lands this year.

Under the new rules, motorized vehicles, with the exception of snowmobiles, must stay on designated roads and trails. Motorized cross country travel, or off-roading, no longer is allowed in the Lakes Landscape area, a giant swath of land northeast of Durango.

 

Additional restrictions may be established limiting the sizes and types of vehicles allowed on individual roads and trails.

Violators may face federal fines and citations.

The Lakes Landscape includes national forest lands surrounding both Vallecito and Lemon reservoirs, areas east of Missionary Ridge, west of the Piedra Area and south of the Weminuche Wilderness boundary.

The new rules were drafted under the 2005 U.S. Forest Service Travel Management Rule, directing all national forest agencies to develop updated guidelines governing the use of motorized vehicles on their lands.

Public comments concerning the Lakes Landscape regulations were heard in 2007. The new rules went into effect Jan. 8.

There were those who wanted motorized cross country travel rights to remain the same while others wanted to ban the practice altogether, said San Juan National Forest recreation manager Nancy Berry.

“We tried to find a balance between the opposing viewpoints while also taking into account wildlife and erosion concerns," Berry said.

“I think most of the motorist groups support this as long as they have enough trails to ride on. It's kind of a balancing act, I would say."

Specific changes being made:

  • The Middle Mountain Road above Tuckerville remains open to motorized travel to the parking area below the overlook, but motorized use no longer is allowed past that point. Visitors can access the overlook via a short hike. This same section will be closed to motor vehicles seasonally from Dec. 1 to June 16 to protect bighorn sheep winter habitat and lambing seasons. Seasonal closures on other roads and trails in the Lakes Landscape also have been revised, and those closure dates will vary.
  • The last 0.6 mile of Red Creek Road is closed to motorized use. A parking area will be constructed at the new closure location to allow parking for foot access to hiking trails.
  • The last 1.5 miles of the Runlett Park trail has been closed to motorized use.
  • ATVs and unlicensed motorcycles are not allowed on East Vallecito Road (Forest Road 603) and Forest Road 596 between Florida and Transfer Park campgrounds. Only highway-legal vehicles can use these sections of road. Off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and motorcycles, will continue to be allowed on all other open Forest Service roads in the Lakes Landscape.

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Source: http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/17/New_rules_for_ATVs_in_some_areas/


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“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.”  As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM