SLVEC engages Valley communities for winter travel planning on the Rio Grande National Forest
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
PRESS RELEASE
The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council aims to steward the Upper Rio Grande basin through collective public actions.
In June, the U.S. Forest Service released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), in regards to Over Snow Travel Management, that analyzes the comprehensive impacts of over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) and its intact ecosystems.
The RGNF encompasses the San Luis Valley with over 1.8 million acres of the wildest terrain in the Southern Rockies. It is home to threatened wildlife species, such as the Canada lynx and Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly. With a large average snowpack, the Rio Grande is a winter recreational hub, offering numerous opportunities for both human-powered and motorized options.
The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC), in partnership with the Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), will host public meetings to engage Valley communities around the winter travel planning process. These decisions will shape the next decade of winter recreation opportunities on the landscape.
“We have an opportunity, given that the Rio Grande is the only place in Colorado with an active travel management process, to secure strong decisions,” said Brittany Leffel, the Colorado Policy Manager for WWA.
SLVEC and its partners have been involved with the RGNF Land Management Plan (LMP) since 2014, raising several concerns about the lack of components, including a clear direction for travel management. A lawsuit was filed in 2021. The challenge led to a settlement agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to proceed with a plan for Over Snow Travel Management by the end of 2023. The draft analysis is the next step to a finalized plan.
The DEIS lists four alternatives that explore different approaches to balancing winter recreation, natural resources, and wildlife corridors. The plan would transition to a "closed unless designated open" system, where routes and areas for motorized OSV use are clearly identified, unlike the current status. This would put the RGNF into compliance with the 2015 Travel Management Rule.
The public can voice their opinions through Wednesday, July 29, 2026, during a 45-day comment period. SLVEC and its partners will help guide the community through a series of workshops and webinars, in lieu of the U.S. Forest Service's traditional public meetings. These are tentatively scheduled for:
July 14 in Antonito at The Cactus Market
July 16 in Del Norte at Wildwood Sounds
July 20 virtually via Zoom
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