Group takes credit for opening trails

A local motorized access advocacy group has taken credit for overturning a U.S. Forest Service decision to close several motorized trails in Uinta National Forest.

In a press release issued Friday, the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL) said the U.S. Forest Service administrative appeal office ruled on Sept. 1 that the Forest Service had relied on an unlawful standard to close motorcycle routes in Tibble Fork and dozens of miles of other routes within Uinta National Forest.

USA-ALL said it protested the proposed closures to the Forest Service, but that the federal agency refused to accept the group's comments. The group then filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, which prompted a settlement with the Forest Service.

"We expect all trails in the new areas to be reopened to motorized use," said USA-ALL attorney Paul Mortensen. "But we are waiting to see how the Forest Service responds."