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Published: 10 August 2018 10 August 2018

[Editor's Note: This author was out of town on this date. Thanks to Sandra Michaud for recording the meeting for the purposes of this article. This is the first in a multi-article series on the special meeting.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The first item of new business at the Grant County Commission special meeting featured a presentation regarding the Gila National Forest proposed decommissioning of already closed roads in the Burro Mountains, discussion on Burro Mountains ATV trails and an additional conversation on use of roads in the Bear Creek area.

Beth Ihle, on temporary assignment to fill the Silver City District Ranger position, said the first proposal would be to take out of service a portion of the closed roads to restore the productivity of the area with vegetation. "It would be in compliance with the Travel Management Plan, while making sure that we are not limiting the use to someone with a permit or resource need. We are looking at the maps and asking about the utility of these closed roads."

The second proposal GNF is looking for public comment on is the recreational use of the ATV trails. "We are trying to get public feedback on whether the trails could serve other transportation uses in addition to ATV recreational uses."

The third component addresses the Bear Creek property recently acquired by the Gila National Forest. "We did not look at it in detail as a transportation system during the Travel Management Plan process. We want a conversation with those in the area on the traffic patterns and usage of the roads. Depending on utilization of the roads and what people want, we can take the next step. We're receptive to what we hear from the public. The comment period goes to the middle of August."

She announced that a meeting would be held Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Tyrone and personnel would be available at the GNF officers on Aug. 8 and 9.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos asked how many miles "are we discussing in the Burros?"

"About 100 miles, of which we expect to decommission about 60 percent or 60 miles," Ihle said.

"Why were these skipped during the five-year process we went through for travel management planning?" Ramos asked.

"They are in the plan, which was overall an administrative decision," Ihle answered. "But the ground disturbing issues were not evaluated. I can't tell you why."

Ramos said everyone went through a rigorous process. "A lot of people came out against closing roads. These were closed. Which ones can be revegetated? Let's make sure we get it right. The roads will be closed, but available for power line maintenance, but not available for public recreation?"

Ihle said some of the roads were closed before the travel management plan process.

Ramos asked what the difference was between closing and decommissioning.

"Closed is administrative status," Ihle said. "Decommissioning is the stabilization of vegetation."

Ramos said what causes him and others heartburn with the ranchers or power line personnel being able to use the roads "is what is the difference with his tires being on the road or my tires being on the road? If they are closed, they should be closed, period, not give someone a permit to be on the road."

"I appreciate that," Ihle said. "But with a permit, we're assuming maybe once a year for maintenance or repair, which has a more positive affect on resources. You are bringing out the complexity of the travel management plan. We have routes that lead to private property that are not open to the public. It reduces maintenance and other issues, with fewer vehicles.

She said she did not see the Forest Service revisiting that part of the plan "until the hue and cry from the public is complete. They can bring it back."

Ramos also alleged that if only some people are permitted to be on the roads, it's discriminatory against the common user who would like to use it, too, if they can get a permit.

Commissioner Alicia Edwards clarified what she had heard. "We're looking at about 100 miles of roads closed during the travel management plan. Now you are doing public input so about 60 percent will be decommissioned and can't be used at all. Of the remaining 40 percent, do you have an idea of what is permitted?"

Ihle said those with livestock permits can go in to maintain water sources and come back out. "It's included in their permit. It's the same with access to power lines. If it's helpful, I can get the data on what uses are allowed on roads not decommissioned but closed."

Edwards asked how many times in a year a permittee would go on the roads.

Ihle said for livestock grazing, it happens at certain times of year to repair fences or maintain stock tanks. "We try to spell it out on those permits. The other permits, I'm not sure of the details."

Commissioner Harry Browne, looking at the maps Ihle had provided, said it looked like one stretch of county road was being closed and decommissioned.

Ihle said she would check on it.

Commissioner Brett Kasten asked about the Bear Creek area. "On the map, it shows that the road is open only to administrative use."

Ihle said the travel management plan decision was to close it to motorized traffic. The dashed portion on the map, she said, was the private land, which now belongs to the Forest Service. "The routes from the west are rough. The decision to be permit-only came when we acquired the piece of property. What is the status of the transportation system in the Bear Creek area? It's only opened to authorized uses. Our options, now that we own it, will be discussed."

Edwards said she saw three options: administrative use only, part administrative and part closed, or open the whole thing.

"Or leave it as it was, which is messy," Ihle said.

When Edwards confirmed that public comment would close in mid-August, Ihle said the Burro Mountains area decommissioning has a NEPA component, "so, we might have to extend the time for it."

Edwards said she thought it would be prudent to have an extension.

"We tried to tease out the land owners and organizations that are involved," Ihle said.

"Every time we talk about roads and closures, it tells me that the USDA blatantly discriminates against handicapped people who no longer can use or enjoy parts of the forest that others of us can because of the closures," Kasten said.

The next article will cover a discussion on essential air service and the controversy that has arisen over the Commission's decision to go with Advanced Air and stop using Boutique Air.