Move shields national forest area

Written by Argus Leader

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Thom Gabrukiewicz

Officials in the Black Hills National Forest, a popular destination for visitors from across South Dakota, have closed about 327 acres near Piedmont and Stagebarn Canyon to cross-country motorized travel.

The closure area is near the far eastern flank of the Ricco fire, which scorched portions of the forest in 2005.

"This is a highly sensitive area with shallow, thin soils in steep terrain that are very easily damaged by cross country motorized travel," said Northern Hills District ranger Rhonda O'Byrne.

"It's not a burned area, but it is a sensitive watershed," supervisor Craig Bobzien said.

The closure does not affect the anticipated forest-wide decision regarding what routes will or will not appear in the final travel plan for the 1.2 million-acre Black Hills National Forest.

"This limited closure addresses impacts we are seeing right now and the actions we need to take to protect this sensitive area," Bobzien said.

The forest is popular with off-highway enthusiasts from throughout South Dakota and the upper Midwest.

"I know we're a very popular destination for East River folks, people from Minnesota and Iowa who go to various places with their trailers and ride around. I know because I've asked them, and it's helped with our plans."

The Black Hills National Forest has been working for three years to address motorized recreation within the forest.

The Forest Service prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement with five alternative approaches for motorized travel management earlier this year. The public comment period ended May 18.

After Bobzien chooses an option, the Forest Service will publish a Motor Vehicle Use Map in 2010 implementing the decision. It will ensure that off-highway enthusiasts still will have access to areas within the Black Hills National Forest.

As for the emergency closure, O'Byrne said, "We have taken these emergency actions in the past in places like the Ricco fire area for similar reasons."

For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/ blackhills.

Source: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090607/NEWS/906070305/1003/business

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“Farmers as a group rarely tend to want more government regulation. But the growing problem of trespassing caused by illegal riders spurred our membership into action to pass common-sense visible identification and ORV enforcement measures. We are proud that we were able to work with rider groups to find a solution that all sides could agree to.”

- Christopher Henney, Director of Legislative Relations, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation