
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 10, 1991                   TAG: 9103120044
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C/13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FOREST STUDIES OFF-ROAD TRAILS

Jefferson National Forest officials are asking the public to help evaluate three potential all-terrain vehicle trails on its New Castle Ranger District. The forest has scheduled a time for questions and comments next Saturday 1-4 p.m. at the Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative Building.

Under study is a 12-mile ATV and trail bike system in the Bald Mountain-Barbours Creek area; a 17 1/2-mile system in the Broad Run area and a 14-mile system in the Patterson Creek area, said Bob Boardwine, district ranger.

The Patterson Creek area has been under consideration for more than a year, and has been opposed by landowners in the area and bowhunters who hunt that section of the forest.

Boardwine said the Jefferson's land and resource management plan calls for increasing opportunities for off-road vehicles.

"The purpose of the district-wide evaluation is to determine whether there are areas on the district where ATVs and trail bikes can be safely operated with minimal adverse impact to other forest resources," he said.

Comments and questions about the trails also are welcomed at the district headquarters near New Castle, Boardwine said. Maps are available for study, he said.

Hunters, hikers, ATV owners, landowners, and wildlife biologists have joined foresters to help determine the best sites for motorized trails.

by CNB