Gunnison Travel Management
Suggestions for Effective Commenting on Route Changes

So here it is--your chance to tell the Forest Service Travel Management planners what you think about the trails on the Gunnison. If you're wondering how to comment to the planners so that your message is effective, maybe start by thinking about how you like to have people comment to you about decisions you have to make.

If you're like most folks, you tend to prefer constructive, unemotional feedback, supported by logical thinking and facts that can be verified on the ground. The forest planners are people, too, and your comments are guaranteed to have more impact if the follow these guidelines.

What types of comments should I make?

Your comments can be a variety of different things, but they should be something that the Forest Service planners will be able to qualify. You might consider the following in explaining why a route is important:

• Either carries users to a destination or perhaps the route is a destination in itself.
• Is part of a network of trails which riders loop together.
• Reduces user conflict by providing a trail option that avoids another typical user group.
• Offers a certain type of riding that's not readily available elsewhere in the Forest.
• Has historically been a motorized trail.
• Has received grant money from OHV funds (there are many routes which have).
• Offer points anticipating and countering what the "Anti's" will comment on.

Which routes should I comment on?

Jim Dawson, head district ranger for the Gunnison National Forest, suggested that you comment on any and every route that you would like to see remain open. From Dorchester and Spring Creek roads, to your favorite piece of single track, take the time to make the argument regarding why it should remain open. You can lump what you think will be non-controversial routes together, but list what you anticipate to be controversial routes individually. Yes, this means that we have a considerable numbers of trails and roads to offer comments on. But if even if you don't take the time to comment on why it should remain open, the folks who want it closed will make comments on that route. With that in mind, make the time to comment and get it done. Click here for a list of trails.

In addition, any route that you use that is not on the current Forest Service map that you want to be a legal route after the process is over, should be commented on. Any trails not on the Forest Service Travel Management map when this process is complete will be illegal routes.

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