COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.…The U.S. Forest Services has issued a final decision and a Preferred Alternative relating to the future management of an 8.5-mile section of Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs. This decision is not different from the original announcement and Record of Decision (ROD) made on July 8, 2005. The Preferred Alternative is to bring this section of road to a safe standard and repair Tunnel #3 and open the road to one-way vehicular traffic when and if the funds are secured. The decision also hinges on identifying a third-party partner to manage the day-to-day operations.

Forest Supervisor Bob Leaverton stated: “I am pleased to announce this decision and bring this phase of the Gold Camp Road Plan to completion. I’m confident that this final decision allows for a broad range of recreational opportunities while enhancing universal access for everyone.” Leaverton added, “The challenge that remains for all of us is to work cooperatively together. Together we can meet the challenges, realize the opportunities, and achieve the goals and objectives of this Plan.”

On December 5, 2005, the original ROD for the Gold Camp Road Final Environmental Impact Statement and Plan (FEIS/Plan) was withdrawn from the appeal process because we had not yet received concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) about potential impacts to the Mexican spotted owl. On February 2, 2006, we received confirmation from the USFWS that the impacts to the Mexican spotted owl would be minimal because of the lack of suitable habitat within and surrounding the project area.

Today, the U.S. Forest Service, Pike and San Isabel National Forests is releasing a second ROD (ROD#2) along with the FEIS/Plan and have begun a new 45-day appeal process. The appeal period will end at midnight on May 17, 2006. Included as part of the FEIS/Plan is a supplemental information report (SIR). The SIR does not introduce new information; rather it provides a more detailed understanding of the FEIS/Plan contents and their intended effects. The documents can be found on the web at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/projects/gold_camp/index.shtml

On February 13, 2006, a fire destroyed all the timber supports inside Tunnel #3. The fire and its effects did not change the final decision. Tunnel #3 remains a valuable historical resource. The goal of public safety and preservation of the historical character has not changed.