Court decision keeps OHV traffic off roads in Eldorado National Forest
Portions of 42 off-highway-vehicle routes that cross meadows in the Eldorado National Forest may be closed to motor vehicle travel this recreation season while the U.S. Forest Service completes an environmental analysis.
The potential travel prohibitions are the result of a February court order by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton. The order said the Forest Service failed to comply with the National Forest Management Act in 2008 when it designated “open for public motor vehicle use” portions of 42 routes that cross meadows.
A final court order with further direction to the Forest Service is pending. In the interim, Karlton ordered that the 42 routes are to remain closed to public wheeled motorized use. The final court order will identify specifically where travel will be prohibited until a new environmental decision is made.
The Rubicon Trail is not affected by this court order.
A map and a complete list of the routes affected by the court order is posted on the Eldorado National Forest website. The map will be modified to reflect the final court order once it is received.
This is happening in forest service areas across the country. And most people who do not ride OHV’s say Yay! And they will do so until THEY are the ones kicked off the property. Next it’s no bikes, no horses, no hikers. Sensitive land.
OHV riders PAY a fee in their vehicle registrations that is supposed to be used to maintain the lands they ride. Now they take the lands away. Why are we paying the fee?
Most of you folks don’t think about the fact that what they take from one group, they will eventually take from another. And another. This is PUBLIC land. To be used by all for recreation.
Yeah, I know. It doesn’t affect you. But it will. I guarrantee it.
If horses and hikers continue to use the trails, then wouldn’t the trails continue to have an environmental impact?
If so, the USFS should close the trails to all users.
After that – close ALL trails that cross meadows to ALL users.
Don’t worry, Romie. Eventually they WILL.
For the good of the environment, of course. Then the only people who will be allowed to access the woods will be those who “volunteer” to work there and those properly placed politicians and their chosen ones.