Mad Rabbit Trails Project Update

As most Keep Routt Wild followers are aware, US Forest Service is proposing a large network of trails named “Mad Rabbit,” spanning from Mad Creek to Rabbit Ears Pass. We have a summary of the project on our website here.

The comment period on the draft EA (Environmental Assessment) has ended. The Forest Service stated that more than 700 comments were received. Thanks to all who commented! Besides the individual comments, we are aware of 22 other organizations beyond Keep Routt Wild who wrote in opposition to the draft proposal. You can read our own comments, submitted by our attorneys, here.

The Forest Service is currently reviewing those comments before proceeding to the next step in its NEPA evaluation and decision-making process. There are likely three possible outcomes:

1.    Issuance of a Final EA and a “Finding of No Significant Impact,” also known as a FONSI, allowing the project as described or as modified with conditions to move forward.

2.    Issuance of a Final EA with a decision to choose the “No Action” alternative. The project does not proceed.

3.    A finding that a more detailed environmental analysis is needed, which would mean proceeding with a supplemental EA or an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement).

The vast majority of EAs end with a FONSI being declared. Our comments show why doing so with the current proposal would be counter to Forest Service regulations, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Colorado Roadless Rule. Nevertheless, history would indicate that a FONSI is a likely outcome, and the one we are preparing for.
If the project remains as flawed as the current proposal, we may have no choice but to pursue the administrative objection process and initiate legal action to halt the project.

Litigation isn’t something we take lightly, nor is it our preference. We’d rather be doing almost anything else. It will be time consuming and expensive. However, the precedents set by the Mad Rabbit Trails Project in Routt County and beyond are simply too negative to ignore. For this reason, we are building a legal action fund to defend Routt County wildlife and wild places in court. We are also building a coalition of conservation groups to join us.  

We are grateful for all the donations we received this past year. That said, legal action can be expensive. If you wish to join Keep Routt Wild in this fight for wildlife and wild places, please consider a donation at www.keeprouttwild.com/donate

Denver Post: Routt County trails project could set bad precedent, wildlife advocates warn

“The Forest Service analysis of the elk habitats is based on distressingly outdated science. Our iconic elk and Coloradans deserve better: a serious current assessment instead of standards from its 24-year old forest plan,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

Well said, Suzanne! That’s just one of the many quotes from a Denver Post article on the Mad Rabbit controversy. The fact that the Denver Post is covering a Routt County trails project shows the statewide notoriety the project is getting. It is becoming the poster child for how NOT to build trails with wildlife in mind.

You can read the Denver Post article without a paid subscription through a Steamboat Pilot link here.

The Steamboat Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey on tourism

No matter where you stand on the issue of tourism promotion, this is your chance to make your voice heard. Deadline is Tuesday, January 31, so you’ll have to respond promptly. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to fill out. Link to the survey website is here.