CHEYENNE - For the next three weeks, the future of motorized travel in the eastern Snowy Range is up for discussion.
On Nov. 1, the U.S. Forest Service released an environmental assessment that outlines potential solutions to the high demand for motorized travel through the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Forest users have a range of opinions on motorized travel, said District Ranger Clint Kyhl.
Some support it and hope for more access than currently exists. Others find it noisy, unruly and damaging to the environment.
Kyhl and other Forest Service staff hope that at least one of the potential solutions addressed in the environmental assessment will appeal to users on both sides of the aisle.
"On the motorized side, right now we have zero miles of trails (dedicated to their use), while there's a high demand that's increasing," he said. "We're proposing a managed system that will hopefully minimize the impact on the environment. Right now, there's a lot of illegal off-road use."
The assessment outlines three possible solutions for the unmet demand for motorized travel: Two would create extensive systems of motorcycle and ATV trails while closing many of the unauthorized roads that have already been carved into the forest. The other alternative, called the "No Action" alternative, would close the 358 miles of unauthorized roads that currently exist and would generate no new trails for motorized use.
To help educate the public on the three options before them, the Forest Service hosted open houses in Cheyenne and Laramie last week. Each drew more than 60 people, Kyhl said.
[full article]
On Nov. 1, the U.S. Forest Service released an environmental assessment that outlines potential solutions to the high demand for motorized travel through the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Forest users have a range of opinions on motorized travel, said District Ranger Clint Kyhl.
Some support it and hope for more access than currently exists. Others find it noisy, unruly and damaging to the environment.
Kyhl and other Forest Service staff hope that at least one of the potential solutions addressed in the environmental assessment will appeal to users on both sides of the aisle.
"On the motorized side, right now we have zero miles of trails (dedicated to their use), while there's a high demand that's increasing," he said. "We're proposing a managed system that will hopefully minimize the impact on the environment. Right now, there's a lot of illegal off-road use."
The assessment outlines three possible solutions for the unmet demand for motorized travel: Two would create extensive systems of motorcycle and ATV trails while closing many of the unauthorized roads that have already been carved into the forest. The other alternative, called the "No Action" alternative, would close the 358 miles of unauthorized roads that currently exist and would generate no new trails for motorized use.
To help educate the public on the three options before them, the Forest Service hosted open houses in Cheyenne and Laramie last week. Each drew more than 60 people, Kyhl said.
[full article]
