January 27, 2023 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Grant Stevens, Communications Director, grant@wildernessworkshop.org; 319-427-0260 (Cell)
CARBONDALE, CO – Today, the White River National Forest (WRNF) released the final Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft decision notice for a proposed 7-mile section of trail connecting Redstone with McClure Pass. Wilderness Workshop previously submitted comments regarding the proposal during the scoping period and when the draft EA was released. In the upcoming days, our team will be closely reviewing the EA in detail. Below is additional information and a statement from Wilderness Workshop
WRNF Supervisor Fitzwilliams has acknowledged the recreation challenges facing the WRNF in recent media articles (Aspen Daily News, Colorado Sun), saying “But what does that mean for this forest and the wildlife and wild places and the ecological function and the lifestyles of the residents here?” he says. “These are the things this report has made me think about. We are squeezing this lemon pretty hard and we are getting a lot out of it but we are beginning to see the impacts of that. So what do we do? I don’t think people want us to say ‘Let’s just keep this train rolling and see what happens.’”
As stated in the draft decision notice, “A public open house will be held on February 15 from 5:00-6:30 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale (520 S. 3rd Street). Forest Service and Pitkin County Open Space & Trails staff will be in attendance.”
“This is an 83-mile trail that the Forest Service has failed to comprehensively evaluate. The agency must holistically consider the cumulative impacts of recreation in our region before approving any new trail segments like this one. No single trail can be held responsible for the declines in wildlife populations or other impacts – and yet collectively our trail systems and recreation uses are undeniably impactful to wildlife and ecosystems. Approval of this trail segment turns a blind eye to the widely recognized recreation challenges facing the Crystal River Valley and the White River National Forest.” – Will Roush, Wilderness Workshop Executive Director
###
Wilderness Workshop is a nonprofit organization that protects the wilderness, water, and wildlife of Western Colorado’s public lands. Learn more at WildernessWorkshop.org
Page Header Image: Crystal River Valley. Photo courtesy Sam Sheppard.
