Town of Red RiverJoins the New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance in Opposition to Travel Management Closures by Carson National Forest

CC | August 11, 2011

The Town of Red River and The New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance have co-signed and submitted Travel Management comments to the Carson National Forest. These comments are the formal response to the Carson’s proposed action which would eliminate motorized use on some of the roads and trails currently used in the Questa Ranger District. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Carson National Forest must provide a detailed scientific analysis showing the current conditions in the forest and justify closures. The comments show the Carson has failed to comply with NEPA.

-The Environmental Assessment contains no documentation of damage caused by motorized use. It doesn’t even disclose the number of motorized users currently using the forest.

-The Town of Red River asserts that the economic analysis does not show the real impact to the community from reducing motorized recreation.

-The Carson provides no evidence that more restrictive seasonal closures and elimination of camping corridors are needed to protect wildlife or natural resources.

The Town Council of Red River signed a Resolution on Aug 31 2009, in response to the initial proposal from the Carson National Forest. The Resolution endorses responsible motorized recreation use in the Carson and wants that achieved without any closure of existing routes. The Resolution also encouraged increasing the amount of trails and roads available on the Carson to better sustain tourism based in the Town. The Carson’s proposed action reduces both the mileage and the seasons available for motorized use but provides, no facts, no discussion, and no rationale to justify the closures.

“OHV recreation is more than just ‘fun’ to the Town of Red River, it is their lifeblood,” said NMOHVA Board member Mark Werkmeister. “NMOHVA and the Town support promoting and preserving responsible OHV use on our Carson National Forest.”