Beauregard
FNG
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2015
- Messages
- 44
The madd Rabbit Trails Project needs your comments.
The US Forest Service has released the draft Environmental Assessment for the Madd Rabbit Trails Project east of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After reviewing the proposal, it’s abundantly clear that the project seriously threatens local wildlife populations, putting Colorado’s second-largest elk herd and other wildlife in jeopardy. For example, over 20 miles of proposed trails through elk calving areas with no calving season closure at all. This violates Colorado’s Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind, a document the Forest Service previously coauthored. Peer-reviewed research shows a 5% probability of elk calf mortality every time an elk calf is disturbed, which can happen as far as 1500 meters from the trail for mountain bikes.
Additionally, the proposal unduly compromises the solitude and natural character of important wild areas in the Yampa Valley, including the Long Park Roadless Area. We are disappointed that our federal land managers have overlooked the public opposition to this proposal.
We need your help! Please write to the US Forest Service objecting to Mad Rabbit by November 22, 2022, at the link here. It’s easy! Put it into your own words or borrow from the concerns itemized below. Every comment counts! The Keep Routt Wild webpage contains several summary points of concern regarding this proposal, which we urge you to reinforce in comments to the Forest Service.
Through November 22, you can officially comment on the plan here:
https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=50917
In addition to commenting on the proposal to the US Forest Service, please send your comments to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Area Wildlife Manager Kris Middledorf and the CPW Commissioners at [email protected] and [email protected]
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Thank you in advance for your contribution to this process. This is a concrete opportunity to fight for wildlife populations and our hunting heritage.
Yours in Conservation,
Cedar Beauregard
Keep Routt Wild board member,
970-879-0953