Laserfiche WebLink
WDNF- .8QPRIS RD ID :303-963-1012 DEC 10 '93 13 :36 No .002 P .03 <br /> . Robert Hagen (Office of Surface Mining) Page 2 <br /> Taking all these facts, we consider the best course of action is to reclaim the <br /> roads during MCR's reclamation effort. The White River National Forest Land <br /> and Resource Management Plan allocates management area prescriptions to this <br /> area that emphasize non-motorized dispersed.recreation. This management <br /> emphasis will encourage activities such as hiking, hunting, mountain bicycling, <br /> fishing, horseback riding. and cross country skiing. <br /> Since the roads were permitted and built by MCR in the steep, fragile Coal <br /> Basin valley to access their coal resources, MCR's bankruptcy leaves no reason <br /> to keep the roads in place as stated in the 1987 reclamation plan. If at some <br /> point in the distant future a ski area is ever developed in this basin, I am <br /> very doubtful that the existing road system would accommodate those needs. The <br /> roads were developed and built with a single purpose in mind, to access the <br /> coal resources. That need apparently is no longer existent. <br /> There are private lands located in Coal Basin, that are surrounded by National <br /> Forest lands. We are bound to provide "reasonable" access to the use and <br /> enjoyment of those lands. I have no applications on file, not do I have <br /> anything that would indicate what the future use of those private lands might <br /> be, and thus cannot make a determination of what would constitute reasonable <br /> access. There are no current landowners stepping forward to assume the <br /> maintenance responsibility of the road system. Additionally, upon receiving an <br /> application for access, we would prepare a transportation plan for the basin <br /> and the existing transportation system may or may not provide the best access <br /> routes. <br /> The bottom line is that we are interested in the health of the ecosystem, and <br /> not whether a road is left in place or not. To plan and ignore the damage <br /> occurring to the fragile .Coal Basin area would be irresponsible to our mission <br /> as land managers for the American public. We are looking forward to working <br /> with your agency in the further reclamation of the National Forest in Coal <br /> Basin. Please write or call me if you have any other questions or concerns. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> KEVIN T. RIORDAN <br /> District Ranger <br /> CC: Forest Supervisor <br /> Caring for the Lend and Serving People <br /> FS•6200-28(7-82) <br />