[cdt-l] CDTA Position Statement
Bruce Ward
bruce at cdtrail.org
Tue Dec 5 18:57:13 CST 2006
The CDTA firmly believes the intent of Congress was a non-motorized
primitive and challenging route. We have worked very hard through our
relationships within the agencies to convey that message and to secure
funds to build alternative routes that are non motorized.
This is our board approved position statement:
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL ALLIANCE POSITION STATEMENT ON MOTORIZED USE OF
THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL (APPROVED FEBRUARY 20, 1997)
The Continental Divide Trail Alliance believes that motorized use of the
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail should be prohibited in all but
the most limited circumstances. More specifically, it is the position
of the Alliance that:
1) Motorized use along the CDT should be limited to the original 424
miles identified for such use in the Secretary of Interior's 1976 CDT
Report, and as indicated in that report, should be periodically reviewed
for the purpose of phasing out motorized use. Motorized use along any
additional segments of the Trail inherently interferes with the Trail's
basic nature and purpose and is inconsistent with a quality hiking,
horseback and other non-motorized outdoor recreation experiences.
2) Other than the original 424 miles, the Forest Service, Park Service
and BLM should not designate segments of the Trail on public lands that
will be open to motorized use. If the agencies propose designating a
segment of the Trail on public lands which is open to motorized use at
the time of designation, they should either: i) close the particular
segment to motorized use once it officially becomes part of the
Continental Divide Trail; or ii) designate, or if necessary, construct
an alternative segment of the Trail which avoids the motorized area or
trail. If Trail segments on public lands have already been designated as
open to motorized use, the agencies should either construct an
alternative non-motorized route or phase out the motorized use by the
year 2000.
3) Where segments of the Trail will pass through non-public lands (i.e.
private lands), the agencies should seek, wherever possible, a
non-motorized route or right-of-way.
In adopting the above position vis a vis motorized use of the CDNST,
the Board of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance wishes to emphasize
that it does not object to the appropriate use of motorized vehicles on
certain public lands. However, it believes that the intent in
establishing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail was to provide
a primitive recreational trail for hikers, horseback riders and other
non-motorized users. Motorized use of the Trail is, therefore,
inconsistent with the Trail's basic nature and purpose. Where potential
conflicts arise between designation of a non-motorized CDNST and
existing motorized use, CDTA will work closely with federal agencies and
motorized users to find appropriate, but separate routes to accommodate
all concerned.
Just curious Glen what have you done to
Bruce Ward
Executive Director
Continental Divide Trail Alliance
PO Box 628
Pine, CO 80470
Tel. 303 838 3760
Cell: 303 917 1476
Fax: 303 838 3960
Shipping Address:
CDTA
13700 Highway 285
Pine CO 80470
-----Original Message-----
From: cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of glen fleag
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 12:06 PM
To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [cdt-l] CDT Mapping Effort
I saw 4 four-wheelers in the Wiminuche tearing up pipes that had just
been
put in to keep the trail dry. They were lost, without a map, without
any
means to camp, and it was about an hour from dark. I showed them
where
they were on my map and went on my way, amazed at how they could be out
there without a map and tearing things up. I reported them to the next
FS
station i saw only to be told that they had just as much right to be up
there as i did.
So, i think making a continuous trail and trying to say it can only be
used
for hiking is a dream that will not happen. It's best left the way it
is
and enjoy the freedom of no trail.
There are a lot more bicyclists, four wheelers and motorcycle users than
there are hikers. Don't push too hard to make this trail more famous.
Enjoy it for what it is.
I don't know a whole lot about Bruce Ward but have heard rumors that he
is
more of a bicycler than hiker. I doubt he's on the same side as you.
Maybe he could tell us himself? Bruce, do you spend more time on the
CDT
hiking or biking? fh
>From: k_luce at comcast.net
>Reply-To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
>To: cdt-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [cdt-l] CDT Mapping Effort
>Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:24:36 +0000
>
>Hear, Hear! (to John's suggestion that the continuous thread be for
those
>on foot only and be clearly understood/marked if it is not!)
>
>If I ever see another motocyclist tearing up what is clearly marked as
>footpath-only trail only while I am there on the spot, I will curse out
>loud, throw rocks, hit them with my poles, spit, scratch, anything I
can
>think of. This angers me to no end.
>
>Tell me, Bruce Ward, what has the Association ever done to curtail
illegal
>usage of the trail? Slap the USFS on the back of their hands?
>
>Karl Luce
>(once again a member of the CDTA, don't ask me why...)
>
>-------------- Original message --------------
>From: "John Brennan" <john at frozenpoodle.com>
>
> > I really like the subversive idea of a matrix of routes. I think of
the
>CDT
> > route as a bundle of loose threads (that sometimes converge) on a
map of
>the
> > trail corridor. In contrast, PCT and AT are a strong rope connecting
>Mexico
> > & Canada.
> >
> > Let the mapping of the CDT reflect a confounding, ever-changing
possible
> > routes base on an individual's situation on a given hike. I've found
>that my
> > route to-date has been changed by conditions beyond my control:
mostly
>snow
> > and lightning.
> >
> > This bundle of threads reflects the reality of actually hiking the
CDT.
>A
> > strong rope reflects the need for clarity and certainty that
>organizations
> > and governments need.
> >
> > Let ONE continuous thread be for those on foot only: no bicycles, no
>motor
> > bikes, no ATVs. And let it be clear where each mode of travel is
allowed
>so
> > that I can choose, if necessary, to venture on to the trail of
>aggressive
> > mountain bikers.
> >
> > -John/Cupcake
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net
>[mailto:cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> > On Behalf Of Ginny & Jim Owen
> > Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 12:11 PM
> > Subject: [cdt-l] CDT Mapping Effort
> >
> > Backpacker Magazine is joining with CDTA to produce a definitive map
of
>the
> > CDT.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > cdt-l mailing list
> > cdt-l at backcountry.net
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
>_______________________________________________
>cdt-l mailing list
>cdt-l at backcountry.net
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
_______________________________________________
cdt-l mailing list
cdt-l at backcountry.net
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: motor and mountain bike policies.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 25600 bytes
Desc: motor and mountain bike policies.doc
Url : http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/cdt-l/attachments/20061205/af749119/attachment.doc
More information about the Cdt-l
mailing list