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ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST February 22, 2006 Laura Jo West Dear Laura Jo: On behalf of the Utah Snowmobile Association (“USA”), I would like to provide you with some input regarding the “Need for Change” phase of the Revised Forest Plan process for Ashley National Forest (“ANF”). USA is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that acts as a strong voice for the approximate 34,000 registered snowmobile owners in Utah. Our core values and beliefs are very simple: “We support multiple use of public lands, sharing of this privilege, environmental stewardship, safety in the backcountry, education and overall accountability that contributes toward our goal for fun, mental, physical and social benefits.” Accordingly, we have a high interest in the public lands afforded within ANF and particularly the great snowmobile opportunities. We realize this initial phase of the planning process is directed toward obtaining comments on the “need to revise” the current Forest Plan that was approved in October 1986. Certainly, conditions and uses have changed dramatically since that time. For example, using our recreation of choice, there were 12,645 registered snowmobile owners in Utah in 1986 compared to 34,499 at the end of 2004, a 173% increase over this 19-year period. Also, during this same timeframe, snowmobiles have become significantly more technologically advanced with improvements in performance, safety, sound, emissions and reliability. This has also led to a change in the desired experience sought by the recreational rider. Such expectations range anywhere from desired opportunities by families and small groups of friends to visit beautiful vistas not previously reachable by older snowmobiles, to the pure adrenalin rush of riders seeking an exceptionally challenging experience. In this modern world where accommodation for a diverse spectrum of uses is the goal, we see the above snowmobile opportunities as being a reasonable request and a healthy privilege. That being said, Forest Planning processes, locally and nationally, have primarily focused on greater restrictions for snowmobiles, much less attempting to at least marginally provide for the growth in such recreation. Therefore, as ANF embarks on the long, painstaking process of developing a new Forest Plan, we sincerely ask that consideration be given to the following: · Refrain from arbitrarily establishing “buffer zones” that do nothing more than further erode public access. For example, creating a non-motorized management prescription adjacent to congressionally approved “Wilderness” is an inappropriate planning strategy. Similarly, “roadless” should not erroneously be construed as an automatic proxy to designate “non-motorized.” · Continue to address winter and summer uses separately to allow for properly analyzing distinct issues on their own merits. Outside of Wilderness, there are many over-the-snow, motorized opportunities that may be appropriate during the winter, which may or may not be appropriate for motorized recreation during the summer. · Working within the constraints of the Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy, this forest planning process is a perfect time to address the demand for increased snowmobile opportunities. It could take the form of partnering with the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, counties and user groups to identify locations for possible groomed routes that can direct the public to legitimate and acceptable play areas. · Carefully evaluate all planning decisions that may impact currently existing groomed snowmobile routes. We contend the groomed snowmobile trail system and adjacent snowmobile access that presently exists on ANF is the minimum level of snowmobile opportunity that is attempting to satisfy the desired experiences of an expanding snowmobile public. More specifically, we see the “need for change” evaluation is not a process for fixing something that may not be broken. Therefore, it is important to preserve (at a minimum) the snowmobile opportunities that are reflected on the Travel Opportunity Guides for the Vernal, Flaming Gorge and Roosevelt/Duchesne Ranger Districts dated June 27, 2005. USA is very supportive of planning efforts that preserve the “multiple use” mandate and guides the public toward a culture of long-term sustainability. We truly appreciate the opportunity to express our views and would like to stay integrally involved with the ANF revised plan process. If you would like to further discuss our perspective please use the contact information on this letterhead. In the meantime, “thanks” for your commitment to this very important effort! Sincerely,
Curtis C. Kennedy
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