By Amber McMahill

For the past two years, representatives from local stakeholder groups have been meeting to discuss the issue of overuse on the Lead Kind Loop road. Participants include the White River National Forest Service, Gunnison County, the Town of Marble, as well as residents from Marble, Crystal, and unincorporated Gunnison County. Although the group considers all user groups in the discussion, the main bulk of the problems identified by residents is OHV users.

The group presented their final recommendations to the Gunnison County Board of Commissions during the October 25th work session. The group identified eight areas that could be addressed to help alleviate the issues. The full list of recommendations can be seen below.

Parking: This was one of the biggest conversations of the group. At one time, the discussion included exploring the possibility of moving all truck and trailer parking to property owned by the U.S. Forest Service at the base of Daniel's Hill; however, the idea was tabled due to objections and feedback from residents living in that area. The final recommendations include tightening up and organizing the area where the current parking is at the base of Daniel's Hill and adding some facilities such as porta-potties and trash receptacles.

This parking would be for passenger vehicles only (with an area available for local outfitters' trailers) with the only legal truck and trailer parking being 12 reservable spots at the Mill Site Park. Signs and an information campaign would alert all visitors to the lack of any other legal parking within the town of Marble.

[Parking] Reservation System: While permitting the use of OHVs was discussed at great length, the time it would take to study the feasibility of such a plan made the idea out of the scope of the current group sessions. It was discussed that one of the best ways to accomplish a permit-type system in the short term was through parking reservations. This would be managed by the Town of Marble and could include restrictions on modified mufflers and the ability to educate users. Fees from the reservation system could be used to fund the reservation system.

Education: Using a grant received by the Marble Crystal River Chamber, Marble stakeholders will be working with the Western Colorado University's Center for Public Lands (which is the current facilitator for the Lead King Loop Steering Committee) to develop interpretive signage and communication plans. In addition, the group is working with Stay the Trail for OHV user-specific messaging.

Enforcement: Enforcement continues to be the highly desired solution by many Upper Crystal Valley residents. Short-term solutions include increased coverage by Gunnison County Sheriff and Forest Protection Officers. Currently, the Town of Marble and Gunnison County work together to pay for additional coverage by Forest Protection Officers and additional sources of funding could mean increased enforcement.

Noise Regulations: The Forest Service is already utilizing handheld decibel measurement devices to educate OHV riders about their noise levels. Recommendations also include exploring a stricter noise ordinance within the town of Marble and un- incorporated Gunnison County.

Road Conditions: When addressing non-OHV traffic that might cause issues on the Lead King Loop road, the discussion quickly turns to the increasing rate of unsuitable vehicles that attempt to travel to Crystal or local trailheads, particularly low clearance all-wheel drive vehicles.

The group began to explore the option of a gatekeeper at the bottom of Daniel's Hill. This is an obstacle built to represent the most challenging sections found on the road and would prepare and alert drivers for what they will face on the Loop. This would be combined with a code locked through the gate for local traffic and emergency vehicles.

An alternative would be to use signage and ex- examples out of the flow of traffic to educate people about what they will face.

Trail Construction: This idea revolves around building a trail adjacent to the road that would allow and encourage more use by non-motorized users. Although the idea has support, the feasibility of such a trail would need more study.

OHV Management: The ability to drive from the Marble to the high country on an OHV is possible through a Town Ordinance allowing OHV use within the town limits and a variance in Gunnison County that allows OHV use on the county road from Beaver Lake to the top of Daniel's Hill. There is discussion and pressure on the Board of County Commissioners to rescind this variance, effectively making it illegal for OHVs to access the high country from Marble — this would include Town of Marble residents.

The topic was explored at great length and found the possibility of allowing resident access to public lands and not visitor access could be illegal.

The recommendation by the group is to continue the variance and use of OHVs on the road to see the effects of the other measures. This includes data collection on impact and the reconvening of the group if the measures do not improve the quality of life.

Final Note: Although consensus was reached by the group on the recommendations there were reservations from the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) that "CVEPA is directed by our mission to protect and preserve the natural environment and its scenic resources as well as restoring and maintaining the integrity of the ecosystems within the Crystal River watershed. Consequently, CVEPA cannot endorse any effort that seeks to accommodate or provide infrastructure to the very activity that is causing the problems we are all trying to mitigate."

Another reservation was made on behalf of residents of Crystal who are in support of CVEPA's statement except for the concern that should there be a ban on OHV use "at this time, [there is] no legal assurance they would be able to access their private property via those types of vehicles.”

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE LEAD KING LOOP

Parking:

• Gunnison County and Aspen-Sopris Ranger District explore/develop/plan to establish parking spots, landscaping, signage, turnaround options, and facilities (e.g., bathrooms, trash cans, kiosks) on land adjacent to County Road 3 at the base of Daniels Hill to accommodate parking for approximately 20 pas- senger vehicles and 2 horse trailers. All OHV trailer parking will be at Mill Site Park in Marble.
• The Town of Marble reduces truck and trailer parking spaces within the town limits from an estimated 20-30 poorly regulated spaces to 12 well-managed and reservable spaces.
• Pending outcomes of the OHV ban and an assessment of the effectiveness of delineating clear roadside parking spaces to constrain impacts, Gunnison County, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, and the Town of Marble study parking lot and parking reservation options on County, Forest Service, and Town properties.

Reservation Systems:

• The Town of Marble develops a reservation system for 12 truck and trailer parking spaces across from Mill Site Park. The stakeholder group supports the collection of fees for truck and trailer parking in this area to maintain the reservation system and fund education and enforcement efforts. Reservations should be accompanied by educational information.

Education:

• Under the “More Mindful Marble Tourism Management Project” funded by the Colorado Tourism Office, Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands develop an interpretive signage and communication plan for the Upper Crystal River Valley.
• Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands engages the Stay the Trail organization in the development of educational materials to enhance/ create/support/promote a culture of responsible OHV use in the Upper Crystal River Valley.
• Gunnison County, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, and the Town of Marble incorporate education whenever possible into all other management approaches listed in this document, such as parking management, reservation system administration, and enforcement.
• The Town of Marble places an electronic sign at the Junction of Highway 133 and County Road 3 to inform visitors about parking availability.

Enforcement:

• Gunnison County Sheriff Department provides in- creased law enforcement presence in the Upper Crystal River Valley, especially on weekends and during peak season.
  Aspen-Sopris Ranger District has a Forest Protection Officer assigned to the Lead King Loop, especially on weekends and during peak season.
  The Town of Marble and Crystal explore oppor- tunities to raise funding for increased summer law enforcement presence through private donations of- fered as matching funds for U.S. Forest Service law enforcement. Treasure Mountain Ranch is considered a likely first entity to offer such a contribution. 
• The Town of Marble develops a program to train Upper Crystal River Valley residents to act as ambassadors of the destination and educate both visitors and residents about conserving natural and cultural assets in and around Marble.

Noise Regulations:

• Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, Gunnison County, and the Town of Marble purchase affordable devices to measure decibels at a vehicle’s tailpipe to increase enforcement of the 96-decibel limit and educate visitors about the noise levels of their vehicles.
• The Town of Marble and Gunnison County explores the feasibility and impact of implementing a noise ordinance that sets stricter decibel levels for OHVs than those already established at the state level.
• Through work under the Colorado Tourism Office grant, the Town of Marble and Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands identify opportunities to incorporate noise regulations into existing and future enforcement and education efforts. Even with limited enforcement, a noise ordinance, associated media attention, and signage informing visitors of stringent decibel limits could have a desirable effect on visitor behavior.