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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Sandia Trail Use Analysis Might Take a Year

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
    A decision about the fate of trails in the Sandia Ranger District is coming.
    The deadline for comments on a set of proposed trails in the forest for use by motorized vehicles was Feb. 29.
    The comments responded to a set of maps whose ultimate goal is to limit the area that motorists— from motorcyclists to ATV users to off-road trucks— can use their vehicles in the forest. A decision on trail use could be made by the end of the year.
    The trail use goals in the Sandia Mountains is part of a broader attempt to curb unmanaged recreation on all national forest land.
    At this point, Nancy Brunswick, the U.S. Forest Service travel management project leader, is taking the 155 comments that were submitted and categorizing them by theme to be analyzed by a team of experts.
    For example, a soil and water specialist would look at issues dealing with erosion.
    The team of experts first met in September 2006, and some of the people who made comments have been involved with the process since then.
    "People have been really involved in the process and have really taken the time to learn about what is going on," Brunswick said. "The people who we worked with have really, for the most part, had a collaborative spirit."
    She said comments ranged from those of homeowners concerned about noise coming from motorized vehicles to motorists concerned about trails being closed on a seasonal basis.
    The trails are closed to cut down on erosion at times of the year when it is typically rainy, Brunswick said.
    She said people who ride motorcycles said they don't like to ride when it is muddy, anyway, so seasonal closures are not necessary.
    There was even one comment that the Forest Service's analysis of the area spent too much time dealing with the impact of nonmotorized users.
    "That is one criteria (non-motorized impact) that we need to address, as part of the rule," Brunswick said.
    Once the team completes its analysis, the Cibola National Forest supervisor will make a decision on where the trails will be. After that there will be a 45 day comment period.