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Zeroing in on San Juan National Forest

Identify what is crucial to the San Juan National Forest’s unique niche

When I was selected last year as forest supervisor of the San Juan National Forest, I was told I would be working on one of the most beautiful and diverse national forests in the country. When I arrived, I understood why right away. The San Juan certainly offers a wide array of recreational opportunities across spectacular landscapes.

We estimate that about 1.7 million people visit the San Juan annually. Recreation is one of the primary uses of the almost 2 million-acre National Forest and key to the tourism economies of Southwest Colorado. The revised Forest Plan calls for managing recreation to support the San Juan’s unique niche, which focuses on offering diverse and dispersed forms of recreation across these expansive and unencumbered landscapes.

The San Juan’s recreation program includes management of the facilities and activities shown below. We are also proud to oversee management of large tracts of congressionally designated wilderness – the Weminuche, South San Juan, Lizard Head and newly established Hermosa Creek. Other specially designated areas under our jurisdiction include the new Hermosa Special Management Area, Chimney Rock National Monument and Piedra Area.

The San Juan National Forest recreation staff has its hands full. Our permanent workforce handles the behind-the-scenes job of overseeing commercial permits and special events, ensuring facilities are safe and functional, coordinating work crews and volunteers, etc. Our summer workforce, made up of boots-on-the-ground seasonal crews, conducts the work that is most visible to the public, such as cleaning toilets, conducting repairs, monitoring use, clearing trails and enforcing regulations.

In response to national direction intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of recreation sites and services, the San Juan National Forest is seeking ways to more efficiently manage its extensive recreation program. Many of the forest’s recreation sites suffer from aging infrastructure and are in need of repairs and upgrades to stay safe and enjoyable. Other facilities may have become obsolete because of constantly evolving public needs and interests.

The challenges are many. We are experiencing increased costs in management, maintenance and construction, coupled with a decreased capacity to carry out the associated workloads. Dealing with a large deferred maintenance backlog also affects our ability to consider new recreation projects.

To take a comprehensive look at how to keep sites and services high-quality, our workforce safe and the public well-served, the San Juan is launching a forestwide Recreation Site Analysis of facilities, as well as an overview of other recreation services. The purpose is to identify and target sites and services with the highest value and to explore ways to sustain them into the future.

This could include cost-sharing partnerships, grants, modifications, fees for services, restrictions, closures, limits on new permits and other ideas you may have. One option could be to manage a lesser number of sites and services to high standards rather than a large number to lower standards. The goal, again, is to offer an affordable, safe and functional recreation program that meets the needs of visitors.

A public workshop will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Durango Public Library to kick off the Recreation Site Analysis and overview of other recreation services. The goal – first and foremost – is to hear from you. How do we balance visitor needs with management costs, while offering high-quality recreation in a manner that protects natural resources and cultural-heritage values? This initial workshop will be followed by more localized workshops to explore challenges and opportunities important to specific communities.

Although the overall Recreation Site Analysis will not require formal environmental analysis, any resulting significant site alterations would necessitate National Environmental Policy Act analysis and public comment. We will be consistent in the approach to making decisions to meet these new challenges, while adhering to the guidance set forth in the Forest Plan.

In the short term, the Recreation Site Analysis will help prioritize current recreation facilities and services; in the future, it will guide considerations for any new investments. I invite you to attend our May 6 workshop to learn more and help the agency identify ways to balance these choices in a collaborative manner. We invite you to help us explore all options to ensure the long-term sustainability of the San Juan National Forest’s recreation program. Public input is critical, and I look forward to hearing your ideas, questions and concerns.

Kara Chadwick is the forest supervisor for the San Juan National Forest. Reach her at kchadwick@fs.fed.us.

San Juan National Forest Recreation Program

Facilities Maintained

Designated campgrounds: 43

Designated group campgrounds: 2

Designated picnic sites and day-use areas: 9

Designated horse camps: 3

Designated boating sites: 6

Designated fishing sites: 7

Designated fire lookouts/cabin rentals: 3

Designated interpretive sites: 6

Designated observation sites: 3

Designated winter sports sites: 2

Designated trailheads: 49

Services Offered

System trails maintained: 1,809 miles

Commercial outfitter/guide permits: 125

Special recreation events and group permits: 41

Recreation residences (summer cabins): 24

Permitted ski area (Purgatory): 2,432 acres



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