"Forest Service Finalizes National Snowmobile Rules"

"FRISCO — With the recent huge growth in motorized winter sports, the Forest Service has been behind the curve in managing public lands, but last month, the agency released its final policy for managing snowmobile and other 'over-snow' vehicle use.

As directed by court order, the policy requires that roads, trails and areas where over-snow vehicle use can occur be specifically designated by local Forest Service mangers. Previously, managers had the discretion to decide whether to designate specific areas for over-snow vehicle use.

'The Forest Service always seeks to provide a wide range of motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities,' said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. 'This policy maintains community input and local decision-making so that those with knowledge of local areas can decide how to best balance natural resource issues with legitimate recreational uses of national forest land.'"

The Summit County Citizens Voice had the story February 28, 2015.