WildEarth Guardians

Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Forest Residents Call on Supervisor to Issue Immediate Closure

of Las Conchas Fire Area to Motorized Vehicles
Contact: Bryan Bird (505) 988-9126 x1157

Santa Fe, NM - WildEarth Guardians, the Sierra Club, the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and numerous forest in holders –including one whose home was lost in the Las Conchas Fire – are calling today on Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor, Maria Garcia, to issue an emergency closure of the burned area to motorized recreational vehicles as well as cross-county motorized travel. The letter’s authors are concerned that the fire area will continue to be used by OHVs and other motorized recreationists jeopardizing the soils, water and wildlife in the hypersensitive area. In addition, the letter requests that the Supervisor enforce existing motorized use closures and make an immediate decision on the pending travel management rule.

“Off highway vehicles and burned areas do not mix,” said Bryan Bird of WildEarth Guardians. “The Forest Supervisor has the authority to close the area to motorized use which has been done elsewhere after large fires for resource protection. It will be a long time if ever before the fire area can be reopened to motorcycles and OHVs.”

The letter expresses concern that the fire area must be treated with the utmost care in the period immediately following such a significant fire event. In particular, it notes that watersheds are highly vulnerable post-fire as are wildlife populations. Unmaintained roads and trails can exacerbate the problems especially if they are used under the current conditions. The Pike-San Isabel National Forest issued a similar emergency closure order after the Hayman Fire in 2002 in Colorado.

The letter requests the Forest Supervisor do three things:

1. Issue an Indefinite Emergency Closure Order to Motorized Recreational Vehicles and Cross-Country Motorized Travel within the Fire Perimeter.

2. Effectively Enforce Existing Closure Orders in the Santa Fe National Forest.

3. Immediately Issue the Final Decision on the Travel Management Plan and MVUM.

“The Santa Fe National Forest started its motorized travel planning process half a decade ago and has yet to make a final decision,” Said Bird. “The events of the Las Conchas Fire demand a decision now so that the staff can concentrate its resources on recovery of the burned area.”

The letter signers are:

Read the letter here.