A Forest Service proposal to close 425 miles of road
in the Bridger-Teton National Forest has provoked strong
opposition. Forest officials said the plethora of roads made by
all-terrain vehicles were chasing wildlife out and damaging
vegetation. “Two-track roads are increasing from hunters on ATVs
and the land can’t stand that kind of use,” says Pinedale district
ranger Bob Reese. Although 400 miles of road would still remain
open, Ron Paris, president of the Dubois, Wyo., ATV Association,
says that’s not enough. “If the desire wasn’t there for someone to
go somewhere, the road would’ve never been made,” he says. “If you
don’t like the sound of ATVs, backpack in the wilderness.” In a
comment period ending Jan. 15, the agency received nearly 300
individual responses. About 100 personal responses favored the
proposal, 150 opposed it, and 40 opposed specific road closures.
Recreational outfitters largely support the closures. “My concern
is that they’ve (Forest Service) let it go so long without doing
something about it,” says Tim Singewald, of Bridger Wilderness
Outfitters in Pinedale. The agency expects to make a decision
sometime in March.
*Christopher
Skelton
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Road plan gets rough reception.
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