The Steamboat Pilot & Today

I attended this meeting and found it to be disorginized, and felt that the BLM needs to step up at these meetings and bring those in attendance up to date with what is happening, and what these meetings were going to produce. Lots of the questions were about “nuts and bolts” (glass containers yes/no, leash law yes/no) and alot of time was wasted because the meeting lacked structure, and organization. I felt the BLM should have brought literature explaining how we got to this point, what the goals are for the property, how the goals were to be administered, how the public process would allow for changes to the stated goals for this land, and where we are in that public process.

I was further discouraged at the lack of homework from the BLM. They have a posted sign in at the Ridge trailhead, and have not checked those sign-in at all. They spoke of learning about who and how this property was being used, but a full year of use data has been unchecked.

I would love to see this property used, and shared by all citizens, but the meeetings were all about seperate trails for users, and not wanting to share the land. Ranchers don't want mountain bikes moving the catle, mt bikers don't want to ride trails with horses. If we don't concede some of our elitest views toward our respective useses for this land then noone will ever get to enjoy the full benifits of this great property.

I for one would rather enjoy, and share a bigger trail complex with all users than pick and fight over use, and be left with a smaller, less desireable space that is riddled with signs to manage who goes where. Everyone needs to work together and establish trails that are designed to accept all users safely, and put onto the property with great regard to the needs of the livestock, and wildlife that are currenly living on the land.