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Appeal of Decision to expand ATV Trail System in Diamond Fork Area Monks Hollow Appeal: In an administrative appeal filed with the Regional Office of the Forest Service on April 5, 2001 the UEC challenged the decision by Spanish Fork District Ranger William Ott to expand the ATV trail system in the Diamond Fork Area located just north of Spanish Fork Canyon. The UEC appealed on the grounds that the Uinta National Forest had failed to adequately address other activities planned within the area in the cumulative effects analysis portion of the environmental assessment. Furthermore, the Uinta National Forest completely ignored the presence of a fish, the leatherside chub, found within waters located near the proposed trail that is currently listed on the State's list of species of special concern. The leatherside chub currently exists on only about 1/3 of its historic range and its population is widely considered to be declining throughout most of its remaining habitat. The UEC is also troubled by the apparent willingness of the Forest Service to accommodate increasing ATV activity through expansion of the existing ATV trail system. This is especially troubling given the lack of monitoring to determine what level of ATV and other recreational activity areas such as Monks Hollow can handle without causing significant damage to the environment. |
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