Silver City, NM — The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District is hosting discussions on proposed road decommissioning in the Burro Mountains. This project includes looking at the roads that have already been closed in the Burro Mountains, as candidates for decommissioning to restore vegetation, reduce erosion and change the appearance of the road on the landscape. Decommissioning can include a variety of possible methods to stabilize old road beds including scarifying, seeding, placing barriers, and restoring drainage in order to change the road's stability and appearance on the landscape. Based on public comments and agency resources needs, a proposed action of roads to be decommissioned will be developed.

In addition, the District is asking for feedback on two specific transportation system items that have received a number of public comments. These include the Burro Mountains ATV trails that were designated for vehicles 50" or less, and access within the Bear Creek area northwest of Pinos Altos. We are engaging the public in conversation about the Burro Mountains ATV trails to determine whether some of these routes could be designated for other motorized vehicle types. We also would like your thoughts on designating the transportation system in the Bear Creek area that the Forest Service recently acquired. Maps of the project areas can be seen at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/D7maps.
 
The Silver City Ranger District will be hosting a facilitated meeting to discuss these topics on August 7 from 5:30-7:30 in the Tyrone Property Owners Association hall at 50 Malachite Street, behind the Tyrone Post Office. The meeting will include a short presentation starting at 5:30 followed by table discussions with project team members and forest staff using large format maps. In addition, there are designated office hours on August 8 and 9 from 4:00-5:30 at the Gila NF Supervisor's Office located at 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, for interested persons to visit directly with Forest Project Team members.
 
For more information, please contact team leaders Tony Ybarra at 575-388-8460, or Carolyn Koury at 575-388-8378.