Logan Canyon boundaries draw ire

LOGAN — Members of skiing and environmental groups aren't happy with the U.S. Forest Service's decision to open more land in Logan Canyon to snowmobiling.

After years of haggling, the Forest Service decided to slash the amount of land set aside for nonmotorized recreation in a popular part of the canyon by almost half. The approximately 9,500 acres from the Tony Grove area north to Franklin Basin where snowmobiles had been banned will be reduced this winter to two separate areas with a combined acreage of about 4,500.

That means skiers or snowshoers in those areas will be subjected to the noise and exhaust fumes of nearby snowmobilers, said Nick Bouwes, who just stepped down as president of Nordic United, a group that promotes nonmotorized winter recreation.

"It's going to be impossible to ski in those areas without hearing snowmobiles," Bouwes said. "Part of the experience is trying to get out into the backcountry and experience peace and quiet."

But members of snowmobiling groups said the new boundaries are the result of the Forest Service's effort to strike a compromise between snowmobilers and skiers. Snowmobilers wanted, but failed to get, access to areas closer to U.S. Highway 89, said Garth Barker, public lands director for the Top of Utah Snowmobile Association.

"It's probably as equitable as it's going to get," Barker said. "Both sides kind of lost on the deal."

With the increased popularity of outdoor sports like cross country skiing and the development of snowmobiles that can travel farther into the backcountry, conflicts between the two groups escalated to the point the Forest Service decided to restrict snowmobiles to specific areas. The Forest Service's 2003 plan banned snowmobiling in an area bordered roughly by the Mount Naomi Wilderness on the west, U.S. 89 on the east, Tony Grove Creek on the south and Hell's Kitchen near Franklin Basin on the north.

But many skiers and snowmobilers disliked the plan, and David Tenny, a top official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, directed the Forest Service to reconsider. After snowmobiling and skiing groups offered alternatives, the Forest Service expanded the snowmobiling boundaries.

The Forest Service caved in to pressure from U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said Bryan Dixon, a backcountry skier who belongs to Nordic United and the Bridgerland Audubon Society.

A spokesman for Bishop confirmed the congressman did get involved but only because he wanted to make sure the process was fair.

"Our office was most interested in making sure both sides were being heard," Scott Parker said. "I don't get the sense that Rob pushed for one side or the other."