Mad Rabbit Trails Project Update

The Mad Rabbit Trails Project is a US Forest Service proposal to add non-motorized and ATV trails in areas of Routt National Forest near Rabbit Ears Pass.

We reported in May that the first draft of a Mad Rabbit Trails Project Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed and is now being shared with Colorado Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for their feedback. Since many of the proposed Mad Rabbit mountain bike trails are envisioned to be placed in Colorado Roadless Areas (CRAs), the Colorado Roadless Rule mandates that the state of Colorado be offered cooperating agency status. Thus, the review by Colorado DNR and CPW.

This past Thursday District Ranger Michael Woodbridge reported at the Routt Recreational & Conservation Roundtable that the status hasn’t changed- the Forest Service is waiting for feedback from the State of Colorado on the draft EA before progressing.

The Steamboat Pilot has more details here: https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/mad-rabbit-trails-proposal-still-waiting-for-state-input/

“I’ve talked to my counterparts over at (the Department of)Natural Resources and they said they would be getting us feedback soon, I just haven’t gotten it yet,” Woodbridge said. “I’d be still hopeful it’s a fall thing.”

The state of Colorado has a duty to protect the interests of Coloradans and needs to do this review carefully and wisely, and not at an arbitrary time schedule. The Forest Service took three years to develop this particular EA, and shouldn't expect the state review to be truncated, particularly given the extremely controversial nature of this project. Since it is infeasible for any construction to occur this year, the state’s careful review won’t impact any construction schedule.

When the EA is released, the Forest Service will open a 30-day comment period for the public. We will release a special newsletter edition with our analysis of the proposal.

Steamboat man shoots and kills bear who entered his downtown home

A Steamboat Springs man shot and killed a male black bear estimated at 400 pounds, who had entered his home by flipping a lever door handle that had been left unlocked. The story in the Pilot can be read here:

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/steamboat-man-shoots-bear-that-broke-into-his-downtown-home/

We weren’t there, so we aren’t going to second guess whether lethal force was required to protect the safety of the family living there. You can read the details in the article above.

Most likely, this bear had become habituated to human food sources and may have already been doomed. Once bears learn of the easy calories they can get from unsecured trash, bird feeders, pet food, and other human food sources, they lose their natural fear of humans and frequent urban neighborhoods. This is particularly true now that bears are entering hyperphagia, where they will spend 20 hours a day eating 20,000 calories to fatten up for winter.

Let’s learn from this tragedy. Please be extra careful to secure your trash, bird feeders, and all other food sources during this period. Let’s keep our bears wild and alive, and our residents safe.

Volunteers help bighorn sheep survey

The Zirkel Wilderness bighorn sheep survey is complete for this year.

Sorry, we won't disclose what we saw, didn't see, or where. The information is compiled by CPW to track the population and mix of these iconic animals. A big shout out to all the volunteers, whether connected with KRW or not.

Upcoming Events

Sierra Club to talk about Sarvis Wilderness expansion on Tuesday, August 23rd. Bud Werner Memorial Library at 6pm

The Trappers Lake Chapter of the Sierra Club is proposing an expansion of the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. The expansion would include the lower portion of the Green Creek and Harrison Creek drainages, so all the National Forest land in the Green Creek drainage would be in the wilderness area. Placing this area into Wilderness would permanently protect the land and its wildlife in a natural state.

Come to learn more about the history of this unique area and how it was excluded from the 1993 Sarvis Creek Wilderness designation. A Question and Discussion will be included at the end of the presentation.

Link here: https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/sierra-club-to-talk-sarvis-creek-expansion-on-tuesday/

The 11th annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival to take place September 1-4 in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig

Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, Inc. presents the annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival every fall. The festival occurs during fall staging- when cranes gather in large numbers in the fall to feed and gain energy for their migration south. The festival is held in beautiful Northwest Colorado with events in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig. The festival features guided crane-viewings, bird and nature walks, expert speakers, films, crane and bird art, children and family activities, and more!

More information: https://coloradocranes.org/yampa-valley-crane-festival/

Volunteer for advancing Zero Waste at Steamboat Farmers Market, August 20th- September 24.

Come out and help the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council advance zero waste in the Yampa Valley by supervising a zero waste station at the Farmers Market.

Sign up here: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1256991056765986088/false#/invitation

Link here: https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/posts/pfbid025mjhoVqRLzkF3GwfMDvAJCZ1hJsuWRvZm3FFTZByf8W3wmotJDua8Wan5WA8B4Bjl

Bureau of Land Management seeks public comment on big game habitats

The BLM is planning to create a statewide Resource Management Plan Amendment with an associated environmental impact statement. On July 18, a 45-day public comment period began for comments regarding the scope of the analysis, relevant issues, potential alternatives, and identification of other relevant information. 

Link here: https://www.summitdaily.com/news/bureau-of-land-management-seeks-public-comment-on-big-game-habitats/

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