On Aug 7, 2001, members of the Colorado State Parks Trails Program met with motorized users at the Fourmile area for discussions of the Citizens' Proposal and a tour of some of the routes in the Fourmile area. The Fourmile area is east of Buena Vista, CO, ranging from south of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness south to Turret.
Jack Placchi (Trails Program administrator), John Geerdes (South Region Trails Coordinator), and Jerry Abboud (COHVCO and State Trails Committee) represented the State Trails Program. Dave Kemper, Gene Powell, Jim Farmer, and Rick Ramsey represented motorized users. John Nahomenuk represented the BLM.
Jim, Dave, Jerry, JohnN, Jack, JohnG, and Gene
The group discussed the motorized users' concerns with the Citizens' Proposal. Some users felt that the proposal was fair, while others felt that too many routes were closed. All users felt that there were too few single-track trails. The decision process was not clear in some cases, and some instances of voting, instead of consensus decisions, were noted. On the other hand, for a first-time effort, the process was viewed as acceptable by many motorized users. Jerry and the State Trails people listened to everything that we said and provided many useful comments about how this process could be improved (for next time) and suggestions for how to comment during the NEPA comment period. Eventually, the group headed to Ruby Mtn Recreation Area and set out to ride the area.
Dave
led the group over hill and dale to a route that had been "closed"
by the proposal. The group discussed the reasons for the closure.
The motorized users would like the route to be reconsidered and
designated open to provide a connector between two routes to complete
a loop. The group looked at a single-track trail that had been
closed by the proposal. There are very few single-track trails
in the Fourmile area.
The
group continued the tour on "open" routes and enjoyed
the cool afternoon weather brought on by the monsoon building
over the nearby 14ers.
Eventually,
the group headed back to the parking area where final discussions
took place. Everyone left with more info than they expected. During
the Draft EA comment period, the motorized users plan to express
their concerns and offer suggestions for a good recreational experience
for motorized users.
