[cdt-l] Mount Taylor Environmental Assessment

[Jim Wolf]

The Cibola National Forest has proposed the construction of new trail 
along the  western slopes of Mount Taylor. In its environmental 
assessment for this project, the Forest also states its intention to 
continue north of Mount Taylor to the Forest boundary at Ojo de los 
Indios on the existing route, a road passable only by high-clearance 
vehicles. In its comments on the EA, CDTS criticizes the Forest Service 
for its failure to recognize the outstanding scenic and historic 
qualities of the summit of Mount Taylor (which would be the highest 
point on the Trail in New Mexico). We also questioned the reliability of 
water sources on the proposed route; unless a permanent water source can 
be identified, we called for rejection of that route. In addition, we 
identified alternative locations north of Mount Taylor that would allow 
the Trail to be separated from the road by half a mile or more -- enough 
to substantially reduce the conflict between motorized and nonmotorized 
travel. (For the full text of our letter, use the link on the home page 
of www.cdtsociety.org)  Although the formal comment period is closed, 
you can still register your views by sending comments electronically to 
lhudnell at fs.fed.us . For more information, including a copy of he EA, 
you can contact the Mt. Taylor Ranger District in Grants NM at 
505/287-8833. If you do send in comments, or have any other suggestions 
or thoughts, please pass them on to us.

Jim Wolf