Quiet valley idea still being discussed

Forest Service considering options

Crested Butte Nordic met with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests Forest supervisor on Thursday, February 12 to discuss concerns of the individual valleys near Crested Butte becoming more and more crowded, which can lead (and has already led) to conflict.

One idea being floated regards enforcing a designation of motorized vs. non-motorized drainages in the northern end of the valley. Keith Bauer, director of CB Nordic, met with Scott Armentrout, GMUG Forest supervisor, but told the News it was just an informational discussion and he does not anticipate any quick movement to any formal designations of local drainages anytime soon. “We are still a ways out. It will be a while before anything comes together from what I can tell,” Bauer said.
The idea of a quiet drainage arose in January when members of the Nordic community proposed their new master plan to Gunnison County, suggesting that skiers, snowshoers, etc. (quiet) and snowmobilers (not so quiet) be restricted to specific drainages. Examples of such proposed segregation could be closing Slate River Valley to snowmobiles so skiers can enjoy a quiet valley there, but also designating Kebler Pass Road as motorized-only and closing that drainage to quiet users. But these are just two examples of local drainage designations being considered.
Snowmobiles are often used for more than just snowmobiling. They have become a popular way to access backcountry skiing and snowboarding terrain in nearby mountains, and just the suggestion of closing off the Slate River Valley to motorized use upset some hybrid snowmobile users.
Lee Ann Loupe, public affairs officer for GMUG National Forests, said on Tuesday, February 17 that there is a Forest Service travel management plan in place for over-snow use and it has been in effect for quite a while. The Forest Service has heard concerns from both motorized and non-motorized users regarding desired areas for “quiet use” and retention of motorized use in the Gunnison Basin/Crested Butte area. “We worked with the [Gunnison] district previously to develop a brochure that depicts the current winter use plan as an education tool for users,” Loupe said. “It’s two-sided with a map of the drainages, user information and allowed use(s) and it pretty well outlines what management/use is in place.”
However, Loupe also said she doesn’t know how many people are aware of the brochures and the plan that is in place. The brochures are available at winter trailheads around Crested Butte, at the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce and at the Gunnison Ranger District office.
“Mr. Bauer met with Mr. Armentrout to discuss issues going on up there,” Loupe said of last week’s meeting in Delta, Colo. “Mr. Bauer wanted to make them aware of his observations and perceptions of the drainages.” She noted that the GMUG is still looking at the new national Over-snow Vehicle Policy the U.S. Forest Service issued on January 31.
The final policy, as directed by court order, requires that roads, trails and areas where there is over-snow vehicle use should be specifically designated by local Forest Service managers. Previously, managers had the authority to designate specific areas for over-snow vehicle use.
“This rule, which is part of the 2005 Travel Management Rule issued by the Forest Service, was challenged in court and resulted in the final policy for over-snow vehicle use requiring designation rather than providing discretion to decide whether to designate specific areas,” Loupe explained.
In layman’s terms, local Forest Service officials used to voluntarily designate these areas but the new policy says they are now required to do so. More than 40 percent of national forests where snow depths can accommodate over-snow vehicles have guidance consistent with the final policy.
“We all love our forests, but we’re going to have to work with the overall program and the district to see what potential options there are,” Loupe explained. “A big part of it could be Voluntary Decency—to basically be mindful of others’ needs and to not purposely bother others if you can avoid it.”
“As with most user conflicts,” Loupe continued, “stakeholders and users themselves are most effective at helping to address conflicts amongst themselves and working to seek solutions and mutual considerations.”
Loupe said the GMUG Forests are working with local government to manage what’s already in place, but that doesn’t mean things won’t change over time. “We just got the rule and we’re still evaluating that. We’ll continue to work with our partners and local government to help alleviate user conflicts in specific areas. Nobody wants to be out there writing tickets and being an enforcer.”