July 1998
BSA Involved in Forest Planning Processes
The BSA has been involved with the revision of several Forest Plans for Colorado Forests this year, including the White River, the Arapaho-Roosevelt and the Routt. The White River National Forest has completed the scoping process where initial input is received from the public and is in the process of creating alternatives from which to choose from for the new Forest Plan. The BSA has participated in the revision from the beginning and is continuing to be involved with drawing up management alternatives for various areas in the forest. We have had continued dialogue with the Forest Service and the Vail Pass Task Force on the fee demo program regarding how the area will be managed within the new Forest Plan.
The Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest recently released its revised Forest Plan. Due to inconsistencies in non-motorized winter designations, among other issues, the BSA and several other groups appealed the plan. In many parts of the plan, on-the-ground management is not consistent with use designations on the Winter Travel Map. In addition, several very popular backcountry skiing and snowshoeing areas were not designated for winter non-motorized use despite being traditionally so, such as the road to the Hesse Townsite near the Eldora Ski area and Ruby Gulch near the Henderson Mine.
The BSA has also appealed the Routt National Forest Plan. The Routt Plan failed to include any winter non-motorized designation or a management strategy for the contentious Rabbit Ears Pass area which sees some of the highest snowmobile use and cross country skiing of any area in Colorado.