The White River National Forest
here again

By Clare Bastable

It’s Déjà vu all over again. The White River National Forest plan has been “dormant” for the past year and will remain so until it is released soon. One controversial element of the plan, the Travel Management plan, is just starting to heat up. Originally the Travel Management plan was to be included in the overall plan, but it was separated out to be dealt with later. Later is now.

Recreational and commercial travel within the White River earlier pitted the motorized crowd against the non-motorized crowd. On-road or off-road, winter and summer, new roads or close roads are many of the questions. What are “roads” anyway? It’s time to dust off the old plan and the arguments and again enter the fray.

The Colorado Mountain Club is a lead organization in the non-motorized camp. Most of our travel, winter and summer, is on foot, leaving the car at the trailhead. We enjoy the quiet of the backcountry, free from the encumbering baggage of a motor. A place exists for motor travel and recreation within the forest as well, and therein lies the rub. There is increasing pressure on the White River National Forest for both forms of travel, and the Forest Service must accommodate both, trying to make sure that both forms of travel are available while protecting the health and integrity of the forest.

Additionally, the explosion of “off road” travel over the past fifteen years or so has compounded the problem. Powerful vehicles with massive tires, dirt bikes, and four wheelers are blazing new and illegal “roads” all over the forest. Fueled by media images encouraging “no limits,” these modern travelers in the forest tend to believe these messages. In winter, snowmobiles literally have no limits, except for wilderness, and that too at times is flaunted. These new “roads” exacerbate the problems of erosion, sedimentation, and the destruction and disturbance of vegetation and wildlife. They also create a tremendous disturbance for other users of the forest who don’t share the thrill and appreciation of loud noise, speed, and exhaust.

There are still substantial land tracts within the White River National Forest that are roadless and should remain so. Areas adjacent to wilderness, regions with sensitive wildlife and vegetation, or other unique places must be protected. This especially includes areas at lower elevations, regions vital to wildlife during the winter months. Most designated wilderness is at and above 10,000 feet, while deer, elk, and other animals rarely hang out that high in winter.

So what can you do to have our voice heard regarding the White River Forest? The Travel Management plan will be going through the same comment and “scooping” process as the overall forest plan did. Make your voice heard. Attend meetings and make comments. Make specific comments about trails, roads, and problem areas with which you are familiar. Recommend and support wilderness or protective status for existing roadless areas that qualify, including those at lower elevations. Work with the different user groups to limit conflicts, confrontations, and disturbances. Above all, participate.

It is important to maintain a balance in recreational travel and use. Motorized users do have a right within the WRNF, just as the hikers, mountain bikers, and horse packers do. But we must all recognize and accept imperatives that override our privileges. The overall health of the forest, its wildlife, streams, and vegetation, is our primary goal if we wish to preserve this magnificent place and the remarkable recreational opportunities it provides for us as well as for future generations.

Watch the CMC’s website at www.cmc.org/ cmc/conservation/hottopic.html for alerts regarding the White River National Forest in the summer and fall.