COLORADO – BlueRibbon Coalition Action Alert – SCORR’s Tenderfoot Mountain Trail Proposal Needs Your Support

Simon | December 5, 2012

(Dec 3 2012) Our partners over at the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO) and the Summit County Off-Road Riders (SCORR) sent us their latest call to action on the proposed Tenderfoot Mountain Motorcycle Trail System.

BRC is asking our members and supporters in Colorado to contact Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor for the White River National Forest, telling him what you think of this plan. (See comment suggestions below.) We’ve put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3-Step action items below.

The Summit County Off-Road Riders have created an amazing proposal with the Dillon Ranger District to develop a 21 mile multiple-use single-track trail system on Tenderfoot Mountain outside Dillon with parking. SCORR now needs your support and comments in favor of the Proposal by DECEMBER 15, 2012.

A complete version of the planning documents is available here: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=34502

An open house will be held at the Dillon Ranger Station from 2 pm to 6 pm on DECEMBER 5, 2012. District staff will be on hand to answer questions about the proposal. There will be no formal presentation.

To understand the issues of the proposal, click here to download some bullet points and comment submittal information.

Comments can be mailed to: Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor, c/o Peech Keller, PO Box 620, Silverthorne, CO 80498; or emailed to: wrnf_scoping_comments@fs.fed.us.

It is so very important that the Forest Service gets comments in favor of a proposal not must opposed. Please submit your comments today.

SITUATION:
The Forest Service is seeking feedback on a proposal to create an approximately 21-mile single-track trail system on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Tenderfoot/Frey Gulch area, which is managed by the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest (WRNF). The Summit County Off Road Riders (SCORR) have created an amazing proposal with the Dillon Ranger District to develop a 21 mile multiple use single track trail system on Tenderfoot Mountain outside Dillon with parking.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Please write to Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor for the White River National Forest, telling him what you think of this plan. (See comment suggestions below.)

BRC’S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS:

NOTE: Please Remember – be polite. If possible, make your comments as personal as you can.

STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to
wrnf_scoping_comments@fs.fed.us. Put ” Tenderfoot Mountain Trail Proposal”
in the Subject Line.

STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email.
Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.

STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride
and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your
name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! (“anonymous” emails
are often discarded).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you can add any personal testimony about your experiences enjoying this spectacular area, please take a minute to add that to your email.

Then click “Send” and you’re done!

SAMPLE COMMENTS:

1. The proposal meets a “need.” There is a need for these trails due to the recent finalization of the Travel Management Plan, which nearly eliminated all existing single track trails and many ATV and 4×4 routes. There is an indisputable documented need for this proposal. Moreover, the proposal is in an area with a recreational “niche,” suitable for the type of trails proposed.

2. This has been a contentious proposal, and much of the opposition stems from a misunderstanding of the planning area and the history of the area. Comments that do not accurately address the proposal area should be disregarded. The Proposal does not reopen the Oro Grande trail for motorized use.

3. User conflicts should not be an issue. With the publication of the MVUM, as well as over 300 miles of non-motorized trails in the area, forest visitors who might experience conflict need only consult the MVUM to find a plethora of recreational opportunity that will meet their expectations.

4. Motorized access to public lands does not decrease adjacent private property values – many users see motorized access as a benefit for property adjacent to national forests.

5. Site specific research found that sound levels from proposal were not audible at ANY local residence. Overwhelming source of noise at the residences was vehicles on I70 and US 6. Any concern regarding OHV noise should be addressed via reinforcement of the State of Colorado OHV sound regulations.

6. Wildlife concerns are mitigated with seasonal closures of trails for 8 months of the year, and avoidance of habitat areas.

7. This proposal actually improves water quality in the area by improving existing trails and decommissioning other routes. EPA research indicates the major concerns in the planning area overwhelmingly revolve around water runoff from I70. EPA identifies adjacent watershed contributions to water quality as small.

8. The Proposal includes extensive ongoing educational programs, enforcement programs and
maintenance programs for the trail network, to insure ongoing minimal impacts in the future for
the area.

Please take action today, and please forward this to friends and family who could help. Remember, the comment deadline is December 15th!

About BRC – The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 or http://www.sharetrails.org .

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!