Santa Fe forest rejects closure petition

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service has rejected a petition filed by a group of environmentalists and landowners to close more than two dozen routes in the Jemez Mountains.

The group filed the petition in March, saying they were concerned that continued use of the routes by off-highway vehicles would cause more erosion and negatively affect wildlife in the northern New Mexico forest.

Santa Fe Forest Supervisor Dan Jiron says he concluded motorized use isn’t having sufficient negative impacts to warrant an immediate closure of the routes.

Jiron also says the forest is developing its travel management plan, which will include the Jemez Ranger District. He says a hastily prepared analysis or one-sided decision could compromise the agency’s progress toward managing travel in the forest.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.