Denver, CO
-- Recreation advocates last week filed papers to join a lawsuit about
motorized vehicle access to the Rico-West Dolores area in southwest Colorado managed by the San Juan National Forest.
The lawsuit, filed in December, 2011 by the Colorado Chapter
of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, seeks to have specific trails declared
off limits to motorized use. The Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
(COHVCO), Trails Preservation Alliance, San Juan Trail Riders, Public Access
Preservation Association and BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) filed a motion to
intervene and attain formal party status in the case.
The Colorado groups and the
BlueRibbon Coalition have previously worked together in responding to similar
threats in Colorado and Utah. Collectively, the recreation groups
have defended recreational access in dozens of lawsuits filed by
preservationists across the country.
"We have attempted to form meaningful partnerships with
diverse interests, including the hunting and angling community," John
Bongiovanni, a COHVCO director, said. "Active, effective management should
be our common goal, not courtroom posturing."
The lawsuit is in its initial stages. The Forest
Service's answer is due on Feb. 7, 2012. The schedule for presenting the
merits of the case has not yet been established.
