Scoping Notice - Managing Visitor Use at Mount Bierstadt & Guanella Pass Dear Interested Party: The Pike and San Isabel National Forests (PSICC), South Platte Ranger District is seeking public input regarding proposed changes to management of recreation activities at Mount Bierstadt and the Guanella Pass summit. The analysis area for this project includes National Forest System lands in the Mount Evans Wilderness and Guanella Pass summit area. The Forest Service is beginning environmental analysis and seeking comments related to the potential implementation of a limited entry permit system at Mount Bierstadt and parking restrictions at the Guanella Pass summit. Background Mount Bierstadt is accessed from the Guanella Pass road which connects the towns of Georgetown and Grant, CO. The trailhead is approximately50 miles west of the Denver metro area and is easily accessed by paved roads.Mount Bierstadt is a 14,060’ peaklocated in the Mount Evans Wilderness area. With the Guanella Pass trailhead situated at an elevation of 11,669’, and a round trip length to the summit and back of 7 miles, it is a moderately difficult hike yetone of the easier fourteen thousand foot peaks for hiking in the State.The very high levels of use at Mount Bierstadt due to easy access and the popularity of hiking to the summit are resulting in negative impacts to resources and visitor experiences. Designated by Congress in 1980, the Mount Evans Wilderness area is 74,400 acres in size. The wilderness is situated on two National Forests (Arapaho and Pike) and is located approximately 40 miles west of Denver. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, two popular 14,000’ peaks, and its close proximity to a metro area contribute to heavy use of this wilderness. Alpine and arctic tundra, Bristlecone Pine, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats are common sites enjoyed by visitors. It is accessed by a 105 mile trail network, 77 miles of which are within the wilderness boundary. The Wilderness Act of 1964 mandates that Wilderness be managed as: “unimpaired for future use and enjoyment . [with] . the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable.” Existing Use Levels Annual visitation estimates at the Mount Bierstadt trail are in the 30-35,000 range. 2011 = 33,400 2012 = 31,210 2013 = 34,419 2014 = 30,897 2015 = 35,330 2012 Visitation Study- Weekday average on the Mount Bierstadt summit was approximately 17 people at one time Weekend days averaged approximately 28 people on the summit at one time Max number of visitors observed at one time on the Bierstadt summitwas approximately 133 Average busy weekend day is approximately 805 visitors on the Mount Bierstadt trail Peak use levels are around 1250 or more visitors on the trail Physical Capacity- Designated parking equals 106 spaces Actual vehicle accumulationis approximately 375 or more vehicles on average busy weekend days Weekend and holiday vehicle accumulation often exceeds designated parking spaces by 3-4 times designated spaces An average busy weekend day sees approximately 867 vehicles arriving at the Guanella Pass summit Concerns Existing levels of visitation at Mount Bierstadt exceed Forest Plan standards and are resulting in unacceptable impacts to resources,crowding, and concerns for public safety.The Forest Service is directed by law and agency policy to preserve wilderness character. Excessive levels of use are occurring on weekends and holidays especially.Peak use days increase the likelihood of visitors traveling off trail and trampling fragile vegetation and soils that may never recover. What began as a two-foot wide trail is now three to ten times wider in most locations. Plants, soils, and wildlife habitat are being lost. Dogs are contributing to trampling of vegetation, erosion, waste issues, and impacts to wildlife and to other visitors. Human and pet waste is adversely affecting water quality and wildlife habitat. In 2002, trail restoration, reroutes, and boardwalk construction work cost approximately $350,000. In 2014-16 a restoration and reconstruction project was completed at a cost of over$465,000. Search and rescue activitiesare increasing. The associated use of helicopters and other motorized and mechanized equipment are not normallyallowed to operate in wilderness. Vehicle arrivals at the Guanella Pass summit have increased since road reconstruction and paving was completed in 2015. There are inadequate agency staff and resources to effectively manage the area given existing levels of use. Potential Future Management Alternatives and Adaptive Actions for Consideration 1- Implementation of a limited entry permit systemfor Mt Bierstadt designed to limit, and redistribute levels of use by zone, day of week, and season. A web based computerized permit system is believed to be the most feasible option due to the complexity and demands of administration of such a system. A web based system is also believed to be the most convenient option available to accommodate the publics need for trip planning, and for public safety. If demand exceeds supply, a lottery system could be needed to facilitate the reservation system. Adaptive management actions under a limited entry permit system might include: A- Implement a permit system and cap use near existing levels (approximately 30,000 annually), implement limits to the managed season of use, and for daily use levels. B- Reduce total use (approximately 25,000), consider additional limits to managed season of use, daily use levels, and maximum party size. C- Reduce total use further (approximately 20,000), consider additional limits to managed season of use, daily use levels, and maximum party size. D- Implement a user fee in addition to any cost of a limited entry permit reservation. Based on monitoring indicators and thresholds, consider a user fee that would result in revenue available for on-site program management. This would be in addition to anycost of a limited entry permit reservation. 2- Close the mountainto further public use due to unacceptable levels of change in resource conditions and degradation of wilderness character. Existing levels of use are resulting in unacceptable levels of change to resourcesand concerns for public safety. 3- Remove Mount Bierstadt from wilderness designation. Existing levels of use are necessitating increased development of the trail corridor. Use levels exceed forest plan standards for number of encounters with other parties and for other measures. Trail construction and maintenance activities have utilized helicopter and other motorized equipment to transport and install materials. Repeated search and rescues activities have required use of helicopters. Each of these activities are degrading wilderness character. Purpose and Need for Environmental Analysis Consider the potential effects of implementing a limited entry permit system for Mount Bierstadt designed to limit and redistribute levels of use by zone, day of week, and season. Assess concerns with levels of change to resource conditions and degradation of wilderness character. Develop indicators and thresholds for implementation of future adaptive management actions. Consider restricting traffic to designated parking areas only at the Guanella Pass Summit Area. Essentially, the proposed action implements Agency and Forest direction as it relates to use of the Mount Evans Wilderness. The analysis does not define the implementation details of a potential limited entry permit system. For more details on the proposed action, including maps of the analysis area may be found on the project page at: CARA URL Address Request for Comments The environmental review process will culminate with a decision being issued by the PSICC Forest and Grassland Supervisor. Based on the forthcoming environmental analysis, the project decision will either authorize implementation of the proposal or another alternative developed in response to specific issues. The decision will also include a determination of whether additional design criteria and/or mitigation measures would be required. The PSICC is providing this comment period for the public to submit comments on components of the analysis. The purpose of this scoping period is to provide an opportunity for the public to have early and meaningful participation in the process and to learn more about the proposed action. NOTE – A separate public comment process will be available prior to implementation of a fee retention, limited entry permit system for the Mount Bierstadt area if authorized through this decision. Questions and comments on the details of a permit system delivery, fees and availability will be more pertinent to that process. Your questions and comments regarding this proposal are an integral part of the environmental analysis process. Respondents should include: (1) name, address, telephone number, and organization represented, if any; (2) reference the “Mount Bierstadt & Guanella Pass Visitor Use Management Project” and (3) specific facts, concerns or issues, and supporting reasons why they should be considered. Specific written comments on the proposed project will be accepted for 30 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Pueblo Chieftain. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. The regulations prohibit extending the length of the comment period. Written comments must be submitted via mail, fax, electronically, or in person (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Erin Connelly, Forest & Grassland