Snow zoning scores
Snowmobilers, skiers report pact a success
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
Agreements for managing winter recreation in the Sawtooth
National Forest have met with resounding success this winter, say forest
managers.
Deb Cooper, Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA)
ranger, said zoning areas of snow for skiers and snowmobiliers near
Stanley has most winter users smiling.
And in the Wood River Valley, SNRA information officer Ed
Cannady said, "the agreement is working really well."
Last fall and early winter, Sawtooth National Forest
supervisor Bill LeVere signed orders that effectively closed certain areas
to snowmobile access in the Wood River and Sawtooth Valleys and the
Stanley Basin. The idea is to separate conflicting groups of winter skiers
and snowmobilers.
The Wood River Valley agreement came after years of debate
and after a group consisting of both skiers and snowmobilers hammered out
boundaries they said they could both live with.
The group, the Winter Recreation Coalition, began in 1995
in an effort to resolve the winter recreation conflict.
"I think it was a great season," recreation
coalition member Kim Nilsen said. "I didn’t hear any negative
feedback from anyone.
"I think the fires have gone out, and some
friendships are budding, and we’re going to behave like a community
again."
Cooper said the few small areas in the Sawtooth Valley and
Stanley Basin that were closed to motorized use have given skiers better
opportunities to enjoy their sport with little effect on the vast amount
of terrain open to snowmobiliers.
"There are abundant snowmobiling opportunities in the
Stanley area, even with the low snow levels this winter, and the skiing
has been excellent on area trails," she said.
There have been a few minor incidents of snowmobile
trespass into closed areas, but overall compliance has been very good,
Cooper said.
"There is a real spirit of cooperation in the local
community to make this agreement work, and we’re very pleased with the
way folks have responded," she said.
