USFS to assess input on trail closures

Forest Service officials are expected to make a decision regarding the closure of several ATV routes in the coming months following the review of input on the proposal. Forest Service officials are expected to make a decision regarding the closure of several ATV routes in the coming months following the review of input on the proposal.

Fred Noack, Stearns District Ranger, said his office is currently compiling and reviewing around 30 written comments on the trail closure proposal, including a petition signed by over one thousand people opposing the measure. Other comments on the matter were submitted by local government and tourism officials as well as their counterparts in Whitley County, also served by the Stearns Ranger District.

While the petition against the proposal to close the trails encompasses the majority of the input received on the project, Noack said other comments were submitted both for and against the measure. Most comments were submitted by local residents, Noack said.

“Some responses simply said, ‘Go for it. Close the trails,’” Noack said during a gathering of local tourism officials Friday. However, Noack told The Voice previously that his intent with all ATV opportunities is not to close trails, but “to establish a quality set of trails” or system, as opposed to several, short isolated trails scattered throughout the county.

“This proposal offers to expand opportunity for off-road recreation,” Noack said.

While the current proposal would close several trails, the opening of new trails would connect into county-designated trails for a 17-mile long system with various access points.

McCreary County Tourism Coordinator Adam Phillips submitted an alternative, which builds upon the Forest Service proposal, in hopes of developing at least three ATV trail systems in the county utilizing Forest Service and county designated trails, including some trails recommended for closure. His proposal never met full compliment of the tourism commission (a quorum was not present at the meeting), but followed a county resolution denouncing closure of the Forest Service trails.

“With partnerships, vision and proper marketing, I believe we can draw adventure tourists to our county, allowing them to ride each trail system, possibly on different days, resulting in their staying in our community for several days and boosting the local economy,” Phillips said in a letter addressed to Noack. Phillips has been designated by the Fiscal Court as the county’s liaison to work with Forest Service officials on ATV projects.

Noack proposed closure of four Forest Service managed trails early last month. The closure would take 9.6 miles of isolated ATV trails out of use, while designating 4.1 miles of new trails that would connect to existing county-designated trails. Noack said the proposed closure was based on several issues, including protection of resources and lack of facilities, but primarily because the trails were each too short to offer an optimal riding experience. Such experience is labeled in the Forest Management Plan as trail systems, with adequate facilities, 15 miles or more in length.

Noack’s proposal has been met with much resistance over the last month with members of the McCreary County ATV and OHV Club leading efforts to prevent the closures. The club, which has submitted various proposals of their own to the Forest Service to increase ATV riding opportunities, say they oppose any trail closures within the local area.

Noack told Tourism officials last Friday all input would be compiled and reviewed over the coming months, with various considerations given, before making a final decision this spring. He did meet with Judge-Executive Blaine Phillips and Deputy Judge-Executive Tony Jones to discuss the issue Monday.

“I wanted to discuss the proposal and process with Judge Phillips, but by primary objective in that meeting was to make him aware of the amount of public interest in this project,” Noack told The Voice Wednesday. “I have had more interest shown in this project than any other project I have been involved with here.”

Judge Phillips said, “We discussed this at length, including several alternatives to closing the trails, but never really came to any conclusions. Mr. Noack has shown a willingness to work with the county on previous occasions and I trust this time, things will be no different.”
Judge Phillips said he understands all sides of the issue, both the ATV Club wanting as many trails open as possible and Noack’s determination to create contained systems that are not a detriment to forest resources.

“I thought the goal of everyone involved in this was to create trail systems that someone would be willing to drive long distances to come here and ride,” Judge Phillips said. “I think everyone is moving in the same direction, with Mr. Noack very sympathetic to this endeavor to create more ATV riding opportunities.”

Noack has been meeting with ATV Club members regarding the proposal as well, including attending club meetings over the last two months.
U.S. Forest Service planning documents show an announcement regarding final decision on the project should be made by May. Noack said an environmental assessment regarding opening of the two trails must also be completed in the coming weeks before any final decision on the project can be made.

Planning documents and other information regarding the project can be found online at www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone.

Source: http://newspaper.tmcvoice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=1

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