New Forest Service Plan Affects Singletrack in Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone

The White River National Forest is requesting public comment on how it manages mountain biking near world-famous destinations like Aspen, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail. A recently released draft plan will dictate how all forms of recreation are managed on the popular 2.3 million-acre forest.

IMBA urges mountain bikers to attend a series of public meetings starting Aug. 8 to make sure trails remain open to our use. Locations, times and dates of the meetings are listed below.

In addition to the trail systems surrounding iconic resort towns, many of Colorado's most famous rides are located on the White River, including the Government, Peaks and Two Elk trails, and several sections of the Colorado Trail.

Included in the draft plan are measures meant to reduce user conflict by separating uses and creating single-use areas where only one type of activity is allowed. The plan also recommends closing some popular unauthorized mountain bike trails while increasing the overall miles of trail open to bicycles.

Local cyclists who attend public meetings should contact IMBA Policy Analyst Drew Vankat to coordinate comments from the mountain bike community.

A copy of the draft plan is available online.

Deadline:

The Forest Service will accept written comments through Oct. 26, 2006.

Points to Consider for Public Meetings:

• IMBA believes in management policies that recognize different user groups and let them share trails harmoniously.
• Hikers, bikers and equestrians can share trails with minimal or no conflicts.
• The Forest Service should provide opportunities for a broad spectrum of riding abilities.
• Mountain bikers support the Forest Service in their attempt to design guidelines that reduce user conflict and provide singletrack.
• IMBA condemns unauthorized trailbuilding.
  

How to Participate and Comment:

Five open house meetings will be held in August in towns throughout the forest:

Date:  August 8, 2006
District:  Dillon Ranger District
Location:  Dillon Ranger District
Time:  3PM - 7PM
Point-of-Contact:  Rick Newton
Phone:  (970) 468-5400
Directions:  Take the Silverthorne exit and go north on Blue River Parkway (SH 9).  The
office is on the right hand side at 680 Blue River Parkway, across from Target.
 
Date:  August 9, 2006
Districts:  Holy Cross and Eagle Ranger Districts
Location:  Eagle Town Hall
Date:  August 8, 2006
Time:  4PM - 7PM
Point-of-Contact:  Cal Wettstein
Phone:  (970)328-6388
Directions:  Take the Eagle exit, go south, take the right at the circle onto US Highway 6 west,
take a right on Broadway (the main street through the town of Eagle).  The town hall is on
the left, one block down.
 
Date:  August 10, 2006
District:  Blanco Ranger District
Location:  Killowatt Corner
Time:  3PM - 6PM
Point-of-Contact:  Glenn Adams
Phone:  (970) 878-4039
Directions:  Corner of 6th and Market in Meeker.

Date:  August 16, 2006
District:  Rifle Ranger District
Location:  Rifle Fire Station
Time:  6PM - 8:30PM
Point-of-Contact:  Mike Hearth
Phone:  (970) 625-2371
Directions:  1200 Railroad Ave. Take bypass, continue to SH 13, after the bend take a right
back into town, the fire station will be on the left.  Or go down Railroad Ave. through the
town and the fire station will be on your right.
 
Date:  August 23, 2006
District:  Aspen and Sopris Ranger Districts
Location:  El Jebel County Building
Time:  3PM - 7PM
Point-of-Contact:  Bill Westbrook
Phone:  (970) 963-2266
Directions:  Take State Highway 82 south to the first right at the light as you enter El Jebel
before the light to City Market.  The building is on your left.
 
 
Comments can also be sent via email or to the following address:

WRNF Travel Management Plan and DEIS
c/o Content Analysis Group
P.O. Box 2000
Bountiful, UT 84011-2000