January 26, 2004

HUGE INCREASE IN SNOWMOBILING
PROPOSED FOR CAMP HALE-PTARMIGAN PASS AREA
(Near Minturn)

Substantial Increases In Summer Jeep And ATV Use In This
And Other Nearby Areas Also Proposed.

COMMENTS NEEDED BY FEBRUARY 1
TO SUPPORT BALANCED RECREATION USE

NOVA Guides, an outfitter that operates on the White River National Forest during both summer and winter seasons, has requested approval from the Forest Service to increase its snowmobile and snowcat use in the Camp Hale area of Eagle County by a factor of 10! The area is already heavily used by snowmobiles, and this would create a less appealing prospect to skiers and snowshoers, especially those accessing the Fowler-Hilliard and Jackal Huts.

Approving the increase would make the area very crowded. With that many snowmobiles present, safety problems would arise, as there could be collisions between snowmobiles and skiers and snowshoers, or even with other snowmobiles, especially in poor visibility conditions in above-timberline areas like Ptarmigan Pass. In addition, it would also be impossible to have a quiet winter recreation experience anywhere in the area, including the adjacent Vail Pass area.

The additional snow compaction could harm lynx by making it easy for other predators, especially coyotes, to access areas they don't currently access, thus increasing competition for prey and the threat of lynx starvation.

In various places, including but not limited to the Camp Hale-Ptarmigan Pass area, a four-fold increase in Nova's all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use is proposed for summer, as is a doubling of their jeep use. Use of some routes, such as the Ranch Creek and Pearl Creek Roads, is already causing considerable resource damage, including the illegal formation new routes. No increases in use can be allowed until this damage heals, and the Forest Service demonstrates that it can keep motor vehicle use on designated routes where no significant damage occurs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please write a letter highlighting the following:

  • Describe your winter and/or summer recreational use of the Camp Hale-Ptarmigan Pass-Shrine Pass area. Note any conflicts you have observed between motorized and non-motorized use. Also note any resource damage from summer use, such as soil erosion and areas denuded of vegetation from off-road motorized abuse.

  • Insist that the proposed increase in snowmobile use not be approved. Mention that the area is already heavily used in winter, and that additional use would cause safety problems, as well as destroying any quality recreational opportunity for skiers, snowshoers, and backcountry snowboarders. Note that the proposal would destroy the existing balance of recreation use in the Camp Hale-Ptarmigan Pass-Shrine Pass area.

  • Before any increase in Nova's motorized use, winter or summer, is approved, insist that the Forest Service demonstrate that all of the following are met: a) The demand exists for any proposed increase. b) A capacity study is prepared, showing that any proposed increase in use can be safely accommodated without damage to resources (such as soil and wildlife) and without destroying quality, quiet, non-motorized use. c) Areas closed to motor vehicles can be fully and effectively maintained and enforced.

  • Note that the proposed increased snowmobile use would likely result in additional areas of snow compaction, which would be harmful to lynx.

  • Insist that the use of already damaged summer routes, such as Ranch Creek and Pearl Creek, be terminated, at least until the damage is fully repaired.

Thank you for taking the time to voice your opinion. Please send your letter by February 1, 2004, to:

Cal Wettstein
Holy Cross Ranger District
P. O. Box 190
Minturn, CO 81645

Your letter should be postmarked or hand delivered no later than February 1 (but later comments will still be accepted).

You may e-mail at this very long address. Please put "NOVA Guides Permit" in the subject area.

comments-rocky-mountain-white-river-holy-cross@fs.fed.us

Please copy the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance on any letter you send in:

BSA contact information
Be sure to include your snail mail address with any comments sent in. This information is crucial.