The Rio Grande National Forest will be conducting four public meetings to present information on the launch of the forest-wide Over Snow Travel Management Planning Project.
Forest Service staff will present the initial Winter Recreation Opportunity Spectrum maps and the proposed action for the public to review. The maps depict both the current and suitable over-snow motorized travel uses on the land.
The public is invited to learn more about the project to better provide substantial comments on the proposed action.
Meeting dates, times and locations are below:
• May 29, 6 to 7 p.m.: Alamosa Recreation Center, located at 2222 Old Sanford Road in Alamosa.
• May 30, 6 to 7 p.m.: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall, located 6633 Colo. Road 113 in Antonito.
• June 4, 6 to 7 p.m.: Saguache County Road and Bridge Building, 305 3rd St. in Saguache.
• June 5, 6 to 7 p.m.: South Fork Fire Department, located at 0028 Mall St. in South Fork.
• June 6, 6 to 7 p.m.: Virtual presentation. Please join 10 minutes early via https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81822193127.
“This is a great opportunity to voice your opinion and get involved to help shape winter recreation experiences and settings on the forest,” said Dennis Kuhnel, forest supervisor for the Rio Grande National Forest. “The first round of public meetings last fall had great participation. It would be wonderful if we had similar participation during these meetings. We look forward to seeing and hearing from our community members and all those interested in over-snow recreation.”
Kuhnel added that the project will take up to two years to complete.
The resulting decision from the analysis will set parameters that will guide over-snow travel on forest roads, trails and cross-country use for the next 15 to 20 years across the 1.8-million-acre Rio Grande National Forest.
