Just got this in my email...

also, link here... http://cohvco.org/landuse/index.php?item=113

There will be public meetings on this through the end of this month and the first one is tomorrow (list of meetings is on the website linked above, which is also copied below).


ACTION ALERT: White River Travel Plan Meetings
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Dear Colorado BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

I just got off the phone with Jerry Abboud, the new Executive Director of the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO http://www.cohvco.org ). Jerry and I were discussing the freshly minted Draft Travel Plan for the White River National Forest (WRNF).

Abboud was telling me that at 2.3 million acres, the White River NF advertises itself as the top recreation Forest in the nation. Their website touts itself as something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. “Well,” Jerry said, “except for the motorized enthusiasts!”

I agreed. Although I’ve only flipped though the phone-book-sized Draft, it doesn’t look as if the WRNF is giving motorized enthusiasts a fair shake.

The WRNF Travel Plan is available for review on the web. CD copies are available to anyone who requests them and the agency will host public meetings where you can meet with forest staff to get answers to any questions you may have.

BRC, COHVCO and each of our member clubs and organizations are going to sweat the details and report back to you with our analysis and comment suggestions at a later date.

But for now, I’d like to put a call out to all outdoor enthusiasts with route-specific knowledge of the WRNF: Please take a close look at each of the alternative maps. Snowmobile enthusiasts are also requested to closely scrutinize the maps.

If you have any site-specific into you think will help COHVCO and BRC with our comments, please contact us.

Thanks in advance for your action,
Brian Hawthorne
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102


WHERE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFO:
The WRNF has a webpage with the DEIS for download here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/projects/travel_management/index.shtml

If you have any questions or would like the WRNF to visit your group or organization about the Travel Plan please feel free to contact Wendy Haskins at 970-945-3303 or via email at: whaskins@fs.fed.us


WHERE TO SEND COMMENTS:
Send written comments to:
WRNF Travel Management Plan and DEIS c/o Content Analysis Group
P.O. Box 2000
Bountiful, UT 84011-2000

Email comments to:
wrnftmp@contentanalysisgroup.com

FAX comments to:
1-801-397-2601


LIST OF PUBLIC MEETINGS:

August 8, 2006 -- Dillon Ranger District
Location: Dillon Ranger District Office, Dillon
Time: 3PM – 7PM
Point-of-Contact: Rick Newton
Phone: (970) 468-5400

August 9, 2006 -- Holy Cross and Eagle Ranger Districts
Location: Eagle Town Hall
Time: 4PM – 7PM
Point-of-Contact: Cal Wettstein
Phone: (970)328-6388

August 10, 2006 -- Blanco Ranger District
Location: Killowatt Corner (6th and Market in Meeker)
Time: 3PM – 6PM
Point-of-Contact: Glenn Adams
Phone: (970) 878-4039

August 16, 2006 -- Rifle Ranger District
Location: Rifle Fire Station 1200 Railroad Ave, Rifle
Time: 6PM – 8:30PM
Point-of-Contact: Mike Hearth
Phone: (970) 625-2371

August 23, 2006 -- Aspen and Sopris Ranger Districts
Location: El Jebel County Building
Time: 3PM – 7PM
Point-of-Contact: Bill Westbrook
Phone: (970) 963-2266


BRIEF INFO ABOUT WRNF TRAVEL PLAN ALTERNATIVES AND DECISIONS TO BE MADE:

The WRNF developed four theme-based alternatives including the no-action alternative that is used primarily for comparison and contrast (the no-action alternative is not a viable alternative for the WRNF).

The WRNF alternative D was identified as the preferred, however, the forest will consider all aspects in part or in whole of the other alternatives when formulating the final decision.

The alternatives and themes are:
1) No-action alternative B—This alternative considers the minimum actions needed to bring the forest travel system into compliance with forest plan direction. This alternative was developed to create a feasible baseline for estimating effects of other alternatives.

2) Alternative C—This alternative considers optimizing the forest’s travel system. It takes advantage of accommodating recreation for more users where possible. It emphasizes shared use and optimization of available facilities, thus providing for a greater capacity for recreation across the forest.

3) Alternative D—This alternative considers the experience of the recreational user, even some exclusive use. It emphasizes reducing recreation conflicts among users and providing a more sustainable program in the long term.

4) Alternative E—This alternative considers emphasizing natural resource and habitat values while still considering recreation utilization.

Decisions to be made:
1) Designation of the summer road and trail system:
a) Defining designated, forest roads and trails;
b) Defining what modes of travel are accepted on each road and trail;
c) Deciding whether to incorporate or rehabilitate unauthorized routes;
d) Determining if certain forest routes are no longer needed as part of the system and schedule those for decommissioning.
2) Designation of winter uses:
a) Determining winter area strategies for allowable winter activities;
b) Defining routes and play areas for winter activities

Once again this is sourced from:
http://cohvco.org/landuse/index.php?item=113

Also, more info from COHVCO on the LHC closure:
http://cohvco.org/landuse/index.php?item=112