landusepbb
02-27-2009, 09:47 AM
BLM proposes 38-mile ATV trail in Glade Run
By James Monteleone The Daily Times
Posted: 02/27/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
FARMINGTON — During a public forum Thursday, Bureau of Land Management Officials proposed creating 38 miles of trail for ATVs in the Glade Run Recreation Area.
The BLM hopes the large new trail will reduce the number of four-wheeled vehicles traveling on trails currently designated only for bicycles and motorbikes. Users of the Glade Run single-track trail have expressed concern that illegal ATV use of the smaller route is widening the narrow pathway and damaging the condition of the trail.
As proposed, the 38-mile ATV trail would require minimal creation of new trails. Initial estimates map only three new miles of trail needed to connect existing trails, washes and dirt roadways that together would compose the new loop.
Archeological and environmental surveys must be conducted on the proposed route before the trail can formally be designated for use by traditional ATVs and the wider ATVs known as Side by Sides.
As proposed, the new route would prohibit Jeeps from using the full trail loop.
Thursday's meeting at San Juan College marked the beginning of a public comment period regarding the proposed trail. Nearly 50 people attended the public forum.
"The hope is, let's give everybody some kind of trail for them to use," said Rich Simmons, BLM recreation and wilderness specialist. "We probably should have done this 15 years ago."
While the BLM has established numerous multi-use trails in the Glade, intended for hiking, horseback riding and biking,
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only a small fraction of the Glade paths permit ATV use. As ATVs have become an increasingly popular hobby in the Farmington area, riders have found limited trailways and often have turned onto bike paths or begun carving new tracks through the public lands.
"This will cut down on the off-trail travel. It will make it to where it's easier to limit any damage or abuse," said Darryl Dunlap, who rides ATVs and bicycles.
ATV-rider Stacy Buchanan agreed, saying the proposed trail will help keep ATV riders off the trails where the larger vehicles cause damage, which some ATV riders use to connect the limited pathways where their vehicles are allowed.
"It's just giving us more room to play," he said.
Disagreements over proper trail use have created conflict between the ATV and bicycling community. Many say the new trail will ease those tensions because most ATV riders will prefer stay on the larger, newly designated route.
"I'm hoping this new (ATV) trail is going to alleviate this," said Keith Ashmore, president of the Velo de Animas bike club. "Instead of wanting to ride the single track, everyone's happy."
BLM officials said following the government-required environmental assessments, the trail could be ready to post signs and distribute maps by early summer.
The amount of public interest shown in the project at Thursday's meeting is a good indicator of the support for such a project, Simmons said.
"This is the kind of thing we need: Community involvement and help with all this," he said.
James Monteleone: jmonteleone@daily-times.com
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_11796907
By James Monteleone The Daily Times
Posted: 02/27/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
FARMINGTON — During a public forum Thursday, Bureau of Land Management Officials proposed creating 38 miles of trail for ATVs in the Glade Run Recreation Area.
The BLM hopes the large new trail will reduce the number of four-wheeled vehicles traveling on trails currently designated only for bicycles and motorbikes. Users of the Glade Run single-track trail have expressed concern that illegal ATV use of the smaller route is widening the narrow pathway and damaging the condition of the trail.
As proposed, the 38-mile ATV trail would require minimal creation of new trails. Initial estimates map only three new miles of trail needed to connect existing trails, washes and dirt roadways that together would compose the new loop.
Archeological and environmental surveys must be conducted on the proposed route before the trail can formally be designated for use by traditional ATVs and the wider ATVs known as Side by Sides.
As proposed, the new route would prohibit Jeeps from using the full trail loop.
Thursday's meeting at San Juan College marked the beginning of a public comment period regarding the proposed trail. Nearly 50 people attended the public forum.
"The hope is, let's give everybody some kind of trail for them to use," said Rich Simmons, BLM recreation and wilderness specialist. "We probably should have done this 15 years ago."
While the BLM has established numerous multi-use trails in the Glade, intended for hiking, horseback riding and biking,
Advertisement
only a small fraction of the Glade paths permit ATV use. As ATVs have become an increasingly popular hobby in the Farmington area, riders have found limited trailways and often have turned onto bike paths or begun carving new tracks through the public lands.
"This will cut down on the off-trail travel. It will make it to where it's easier to limit any damage or abuse," said Darryl Dunlap, who rides ATVs and bicycles.
ATV-rider Stacy Buchanan agreed, saying the proposed trail will help keep ATV riders off the trails where the larger vehicles cause damage, which some ATV riders use to connect the limited pathways where their vehicles are allowed.
"It's just giving us more room to play," he said.
Disagreements over proper trail use have created conflict between the ATV and bicycling community. Many say the new trail will ease those tensions because most ATV riders will prefer stay on the larger, newly designated route.
"I'm hoping this new (ATV) trail is going to alleviate this," said Keith Ashmore, president of the Velo de Animas bike club. "Instead of wanting to ride the single track, everyone's happy."
BLM officials said following the government-required environmental assessments, the trail could be ready to post signs and distribute maps by early summer.
The amount of public interest shown in the project at Thursday's meeting is a good indicator of the support for such a project, Simmons said.
"This is the kind of thing we need: Community involvement and help with all this," he said.
James Monteleone: jmonteleone@daily-times.com
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_11796907