Bathrooms at Coal Bank and Molas passes will remain open for now, but the facilities long-term existence will depend upon local partnerships, the U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday.
For nearly two years, San Juan National Forest recreation staffers have looked for ways to manage its 129 recreational sites in the face of looming budget cuts.
Notably, the Recreation Site Analysis for the 1.8-million acre San Juan National Forest shows 51 sites will remain as is, 14 sites will receive improvements and 19 sites will be closed or removed.
In all, the new work plan should save the Forest Service about $35,000 a year – a 15 percent reduction of current costs.
The controversial proposed closure of the restrooms atop Coal Bank and Molas passes was reversed in the final plan. Yet, the facilities’ future remains uncertain.
“If viable maintenance partnerships cannot be developed and implemented prior to Jan. 1, 2018, the toilets would be removed,” the Forest Service said in a news release.
A similar situation faces the Junction Creek trailhead toilet, which is under care of long-term volunteers. If that relationship disintegrates and no other partnerships are made, the bathrooms would be removed.
At Little Molas Lake, the campground will remain free-of-charge despite early drafts that put a price on the camping area. However, toilet facilities there will be removed. The Forest Service said another restroom is 600 feet from the campground at the Colorado Trail trailhead.
Restrooms at Buckles Lake, Old Lime Creek Road and Middle Fork will be removed, and a toilet will be installed at the Piedra Falls trailhead.
In other work plan changes, no significant adjustments will occur to the operating seasons for Little Molas and Andrews Lake after early drafts indicated otherwise.
However, campers at Lower Hermosa Campground will now be charged a fee, though the Forest Service said there will be “modestly improved services served by an on-site campground host.”
Among the notable site closures, Sig Creek Campground, Ferris Campground, Graham Creek Boat Ramp boating site, Old Timers Boating and Picnic Site, Ruby Dispersed Campground and Upper Lemon Fishing Site will be decommissioned.
“Our analysis and plan of work represent the culmination of nearly two years of work incorporating public feedback to best balance our projected staffing and funding levels with the interests of our constituents,” said Brian White, with the San Juan National Forest recreation staff.
The Forest Service will undergo a National Environmental Policy Act analysis to identify impacts of the changes. The public will have another opportunity to comment on individual sites in the coming weeks.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
Forest Service management plan (PDF)
