County mulls OHV area
By Trevor Hughes
The Daily Times-Call
http://www.longmontfyi.com/region-story.asp?ID=436
BOULDER - A popular off-road driving area and playground near Jamestown could be closed to all vehicles or become a pay-to-play zone under a plan being considered by federal managers.
Frustrated by the environmental damage being caused by off-road drivers with their big tires and powerful engines, by target shooters who aren't picking up after themselves and the danger of wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service is considering six options for managing the Left Hand Off-Highway Vehicle Area.
The plans come as conflicts grow between off-road drivers, target shooters, hikers, mountain bikers, campers, equestrians and area residents. The Forest Service has generally lacked the money to pay for proper law and environmental enforcement in the area, and its new plan aims to figure out a way to resolve the situation.
The area, which has rapidly grown in popularity over the past decade, attracts people who know it's one of the few easily accessible places on the Front Range where they can shoot guns and drive off-road. But that use conflicts with the residents of the mountainous area who bought land hoping for peace and quiet.
"It's not uncommon to hear the sounds of semi-automatic weapons all through the night. Sometimes it feels like we're living in a war zone," wrote Tracey Beck, president of the nearby Buckingham Hills Homeowners Association. "As well, the environmental degradation in the area is significant and worsening."
Dozens of people wrote to the Forest Service over the summer to offer their opinions on the future of the OHV area. Many area residents sought its closure, or at least strict limitations on how it's used. An initial public discussion of the six options is slated for Saturday.
Off-roaders said the area is one of the few left on the Front Range available for rock crawling and technical driving. And many pointed out that the National Forest is supposed to be open to multiple uses, including OHV driving.
That said, most agreed something should be done.
"Left Hand Canyon needs attention to remain open," wrote Mike Caskey of Off-Road Solutions in Arvada.
Some, such as Todd Blachowiak of Lyons, said they'd be willing to pay user fees if it meant the Forest Service then got the money necessary to improve trails, repair environmental damage and enforce other regulations.
Wrote Chad Brice, who lives in nearby Jamestown: "For the most part, the recreational use and the people that play up here are fine. But there are a handful of bad apples and they're ruining things for everyone."
Last year, a target shooter sparked a wildfire above the OHV area by shooting at an illegal exploding target, Forest Service officials say.
The chief Forest Service official in Boulder, District Ranger Christine Walsh, said that while many off-roaders fear Carnage Canyon in particular will be closed, no decisions have yet been made.
"Some people have the impression that we have a specific agenda for the future of Left Hand OHV," Walsh said in announcing the six options. "In reality, we've created a broad range of possible themes for management of the area."
Under federal law, the National Forest is supposed to be open to multiple uses, including hunting, off-roading and shooting. That's in contrast with many of the other public lands in Boulder County, which are either closed to public use altogether or require even hikers to stay on designated trails.