The draft of the Big South Fork General Management Plan, GMP, is out, and it looks really scary for mountain bikers. I encourage anyone who has time to read this document to check it out. It can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm. I plan on writing a formal response, I am going to try to get a copy of my response out in the next week. I am not sure where to begin, though. Much of this appears to be written by or heavily influenced by someone who doesn't like bikes in the woods at all, it will take many well written responses to change this before it is finalized. I am trying to get input from IMBA. I will let you know if I hear more. The deadline for comments is May 15th. The Big South Fork is one of the first National areas to do a GMP, and the tone and results of this one could have National ramifications. This document will guide the management of the park for the next 20 years.

Bad News:

p. 40. The preferred alternative lists 160 miles of trails for hiking, 177 miles of trails for horse use, 28 miles of trails as multiple use, 20 miles of trails as seasonal hunting, and 11 miles of trails for mountain bikes.

Very Bad News: the wording on this is very bad and sets a bad precident. p.37 "Some horse trails are identified where bikes would not be allowed. The issue of horses and bikes sharing the same trail was identified in public discussion and related to the speed and essentially noise-free travel that bikes introduce to routes that are also used by animals. While most bike riders are not at issue, there are some persons  and there are some places, regardless of the rider  that the combination of these uses is a safety concern. It was concluded that some horse trails should be free of this concern. The horse trails identified were Cotton Patch Loop, Pilot-Wines Loop, most of North White Oak Loop, a portion of Jacks Ridge Loop, and the proposed new designations of Yellow Cliff Trail, Salt Pine Trail, and Darrow Ridge Trail."

Strange news: could be good, mountain bikes get to use one hiking trail during the week. However, there are no guidlines for how this "experiment" will be judged a success or not, and what are the ramifications if it is a

success: p. 40...

"In addition to shared use on many trails, time-sharing is another element included in the proposal, in an experimental manner, to provide increased opportunities without increasing trail mileage. This management tool must be applied carefully in order to maintain a high degree of the desired experience of the different types of users. User types and applicable trail standards must be considered. Also, user education and enforcement would be considerations in application and evaluation. The proposal would initially combine hiking and mountain biking on an experimental basis on Grand Gap Loop. The time-sharing arrangement being considered is for biking to occur on weekdays only. This trail was selected because of its scenic quality and because the hiking trail was built at a hiking standard so the bike use could be evaluated on a true hiking trail. Some places would require bikers to carry their bikes and they would be so instructed. This tool could be applied elsewhere at different locations or for different user groups as opportunities or needs arise."

"All trails proposed for bicycle use have been determined consistent with the protection of the National Areas natural, scenic and esthetic values, safety considerations and management objectives, and would not disturb wildlife or National Area resources."

Good News:

"The O&W route west of the bridge (determined abandoned in Fentress County) to trail connections near the western boundary of the National Area would be a trail designated for foot, horse, and bike use. This is consistent with previous studies. The route would be brought to a standard suitable for the intended trail uses and compatible with its past use as a rail bed."

I found the focus group comment summary amusing, I am not sure what bikers they interviewed that don't like tight turns, steep inclines, or advanced sections. I have not had time to go through this entire document. If anyone notices anything, that I have not, please let me know.

Thanks,

Boyd