WildEarth Guardians

Thursday, March 1, 2007
Forest, off-road groups seek trails for vehicles

Forest managers to work with off-road vehicle enthusiasts to map trails for motorized use
Contact: WildEarth Guardians

New Mexico's national forest managers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts are looking for ways for people to enjoy a ride through the wilderness without compromising its beauty.

Cibola National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest, in cooperation with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, are meeting this week in Albuquerque as part of a nationwide effort to designate areas where motorized vehicles can roam.

The four-day event starts today at the Hilton Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd. N.E., and continues through Sunday.

Mary Bean, forest management team leader for Cibola National Forest, said the growth in use of all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and other off-highway vehicles in the forests in recent years poses a threat to New Mexico's wildlife.

"We have not really had the trail system to support that use," she said. "When you bring a much larger vehicle on that surface, you're at risk of damaging both soil and vegetation."

Cibola and the other national forests have been directed by the head of the U.S. Forest Service to designate areas where motorized use is appropriate.

The agency wants forest managers to work with off-road vehicle enthusiasts to map trails for motorized use.

The last two days of the Albuquerque event are designed to give off-highway enthusiasts an understanding of the Forest Service's ideas.

Bill Noack, a spokesman for the group Americans for Responsible Recreational Access, said his group supports the Forest Service's move toward designating areas of the forests where motorized vehicles can be used.

"We acknowledge the growth of off-highway vehicles in recent years," he said. "Our group thinks this policy is a step in the right direction."

By the end of the year, Noack said, the forest managers and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council hope to complete the designation of roads, trails and areas for motorized use and publish the map for the Sandia Ranger District.

But not everyone is on board with the idea of expanding motorized use in national forests. Bryan Bird, forest program director at the Santa Fe environmental group WildEarth Guardians, said roads and trails for off-highway vehicles can be problematic and that he recommends decreasing the area they're allowed on.

"They (the roads) are causing serious resource damage," he said. "Motorized vehicles have started to penetrate deeper and deeper into our wild forests."

Most people who use the forest use it for quiet recreation, Bird said.

"If they (off-highway motorists) are going to be on public land, it shouldn't be at the expense of people who are trying to find solitude," he said.

Instead of the forest, Bird said he'd like to see private lands providing a market-based approach for off-highway riding.

Noack, however, said off-highway drivers and those who don't want them in the national forests can co-exist with the new designations.

Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Tribune - Reprinted with permission