Forests Propose Vehicle Access Limits To Reduce Conflicts

The Santa Fe and Carson National Forests would dramatically reduce the amount of land open to cross-country motorized travel under recently released and highly controversial proposed plans.

The two agencies are seeking public comment on the proposed actions, the first step under the National Environmental Policy Act.

All national forests are preparing travel management plans to control the growing conflicts between those who like to travel with motorized vehicles in the forests and those who prefer traveling by horseback, on foot and on mountain bikes.

Unmanaged motorized vehicle use was named one of four threats to national forest resources by the Department of Interior in 2005.

The Santa Fe National Forest's proposal calls for a 53 percent reduction in roads open to

motorized use and a reduction in mileage of trails for motorized use to 247 miles from 591 miles.

Daniel Jiron, the forest supervisor, called the Santa Fe National Forest proposed action released July 10 "a starting point."

"This reflects what the forest has heard from the public for the past couple of years combined with an initial analysis of what would best protect natural and cultural resources, minimize conflicts between users, and still provide access and motorized recreational opportunities on the forest," he said in a statement. "We'd like people to read the Proposed Action, view the maps on the Web site www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt, at Ranger Stations, or at local libraries and let us know, preferably in writing, if you'd like to suggest changes."

The most dramatic change proposed would limit cross-country motorized travel by dirt bikes, four wheelers and others to about 21,100 acres. Currently 821,664 acres of the Santa Fe National Forest, about 53 percent, is open to cross-country travel. Corridors are proposed to allow truck and car campers to reach dispersed camping areas.

Opponents of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles have vehemently fought to have more roads and areas closed to motorized use. Some off-road vehicle enthusiasts, especially organized groups of dirt bikers, have fought to keep their right to use trails.

The Santa Fe National

Forest plans a series of public meetings. A meeting in the Rowe-Pecos area is set for

10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Pecos Middle School cafeteria, off N.M. 63.

A meeting for the Glorieta, Eldorado, Ca[+ or -]oncito and Hondo communities is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department, 645 Old Las Vegas Highway.

A Santa Fe meeting is scheduled 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W. Barcelona Road. For other meeting locations, see the Web site, www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt.

The Carson National Forest has separate plans for the Jicarilla Ranger District and the districts of Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras.

The Jicarilla proposed plan calls for removing 30 miles of road, leaving 188 open to motorized vehicles. That also will remove the 300-foot corridor currently designated for vehicles along those roads. The closures are needed in part to prevent trespassing on Jicarilla Apache lands, Carson officials say.

On the Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras ranger districts, officials propose closing

275 miles of road and opening 33 miles to motorized vehicles, bringing the total to 1,522 miles. Some roads would be closed to vehicles from Jan. 1 to April 30 to protect wildlife.

The Carson National Forest also proposes closing another 534,796 acres to cross-country motorized travel.

For the Santa Fe National Forest, to find out the deadline for comments, call 505-438-7829. Comments can be sent electronically to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (.doc, .txt, .pdf, or .rtf only) with "Travel Management" in the subject line. Written comments on this proposal can be sent to: Santa Fe Travel Management Planning, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or fax comments to 505-438-7834.

For the Carson National Forest, comments must include a name and address of the person and title of the proposed action. Comments may be submitted by e-mail in to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Comments can also be faxed to 575-758-6213.

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