Cheryl Taylor wrote:
> I own a mountain bike, but I am an advocate that they should be
> used on trails
> that were created for them (ex. rails-to-trails), and only in weather
> conditions that will not
> tear up the trails.
Cheryl, you're so right. I've seen the destruction from mountain bikes, soil
compaction, ruts and gullies. Horses also bring with them consequences in wild places
that require special care (seedless feed so as not to introduce non-native plant
species and special tack to tie the animals in a way that reduces impact to tree
trunks and limbs).
> The truth is there is less and less natural areas each
> year and more
> and more people wanting to share them. We all need to respect each other
> and have as low
> an impact as possible. I agree with the elimination of fuel powered
> vehicles, but I would
> take it a step further and advocate a limit to the number of kayakers and
> rafters on a river
> and remove mountain bikes from hiking trails and initiate fines and trail
> maintenance time
> on people who destroy trails during foul weather. I realize this is a lot
> to ask for
> but I believe we will eventually pay a dear price for anything less.
Use permits and schedules have been implemented on the Snake river here in Idaho, but
this causes strong opposition by the general public. How do we get around the notion
that everyone can expect their piece of nature any time they want it in a way the
general public will accept?
>
> I am not against making accommodations for those with a physical impairment
> but it should also not be at the cost of the greater good of preserving our
> natural places.
In southern America, Equador, Chile, and other countries, ecotourism has encouraged
the use of 'above ground' walkways to prevent tourists from trampling sensitive
terrain. I would appreciate seeing more of this implemented here in the US. One fine
example is at Mount St. Helen's, where tourists are limited to designated walkways or
find themselves with stiff penalties and fines. Another aspect, found in Denali and
Yosemite is the use of mass transit, where tourists are bussed into these parks
instead of driving in individual vehicles.
In spite of these efforts, you can still see evidence of continued recent clear
cutting in the Mt. St. Helen's area, seems to thwart all efforts to limit habitat
destruction when driving from one interpretation site to another on well-paved roads
only to see government timber sale logging operations in between.
/donna
