New Mexico

The federal government has agreed to pony up half the money needed to restore national forestland in some of the most heavily used portions of the Jemez Mountains, as well as the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

The money - $40 million - will come over a 10-year period through a federal grant; the rest of the funding for the $80 million project will be delivered through the federal appropriations process, as well as other grants.

Staci Matlock

Close to $1.5 million dollars is sitting in a Trail Safety Fund, raised through increased New Mexico registration fees on dirt bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles.

The greenbacks cover education, enforcement and 17 other mandates under a 4-year-old New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle law.

Ashley Meeks

LAS CRUCES - An ATV may be the latest vehicle seized under a county ordinance designed to deter drunken driving, after what police say was a drunken driving accident - in the driver's front yard.

Rebecca May, 53, was arrested and charged with drunken and careless driving after Las Cruces police responded to a report of an ATV rollover on the 8000 block of Keel Road, on the East Mesa, just before 9 p.m. Monday.

They're jewels in the crown of hills around our community: The trails east and northwest of town lead locals and visitors into fascinating foothills and, soon enough, sharp climbs into the pines. They're so accessible that they've become part of many Santa Feans' lifestyle — and tourist attractions to boot.

The Dorothy Stewart and Dale Ball trails to the east and the La Tierra trails in the Northwest Quadrant are the work of generous and hard-working community contributors and volunteers; the two honored with trail names, along with the late Irene von Horvath, Stewart Udall and so many others.

Staci Matlock

Outdoor enthusiasts ride, run, hike and walk their dogs on trails near the city of Santa Fe.

But conflicts between some of those users have prompted questions about how those trails should be managed.

That's what the U.S. Forest Service's Travel Management Plan is -- and has to be -- about. What current policy and practice is about -- a free-for-all that allows damage to watersheds, destruction of wildlife habitats and desecration of cultural resources -- isn't working. The Forest Service considers such "unmanaged recreation" one of the top four threats to its forests.

Phil Parker

SANTA FE - In the latest step toward limiting vehicle use , Santa Fe National Forest officials presented management proposals Thursday that could dramatically reduce the portion of the forest's 1.7 million acres that are open to motorized travel.

"It's going to be a big change for a lot of folks," said Deputy Forest Supervisor Erin Connelly.

A huge thank you to New Mexico Environment Secretary Ron Curry for recognizing the emergency situation created by off-road vehicles in the Santa Fe National Forest. I visited the Jemez Mountains two years ago and was stunned by the damage. Last month, I visited the same areas and the devastation was heartbreaking.

The Jemez is not alone in suffering — off-road destruction pervades the east side of the Santa Fe and all New Mexico forests. The management of the Santa Fe National Forest is doing a disservice to the people of New Mexico. Our forests, water quality, wildlife habitat and economy are being destroyed while the Forest Service sits on its hands and makes excuses. The Travel Management Plan they tout does not address water quality or quantity. Their "plan" is a map with far too many routes in the wrong places.

The New Mexico Environment Department is requesting help and funding from federal officials to address the unauthorized use of off-road vehicles threatening rivers and streams in national forests in the state.

NMED Secretary Ron Curry sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requesting assistance and expressing concern about the impact on the environment and water quality that results from the use of unauthorized trails and roads by off-road and all-terrain vehicles in national forests. He also requests $150,000 to finance an assessment of water quality impacts caused by ATVs and ORVs in the Jemez Mountains in the Santa Fe National Forest.