Critics says the plans are not taking enough steps to protect one of Colorado's largest elk herds.
Along with more people and new development, outdoor recreation spreading farther into the backcountry is adding to pressure on wildlife. The state’s elk herd of approximately 309,000 is the world’s largest, but for the last 20 years or so it has experienced declining cow-calf ratios: the number of young per 100 female elk.to try to maintain animal populations in certain parts of the state, including in Routt County. CPW is studying the effects of recreation on animals, including birds and elk.
“The Forest Service analysis of the elk habitats is based on distressingly outdated science. Our iconic elk and Coloradans deserve better: a serious current assessment instead of standards from its 24-year old forest plan,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit advocacy organization.
“As long as we are working within that bigger, holistic plan that’s been developed through an environmental impact statement then we don’t necessarily have to do an EIS for every single project we work on,” Kelly said. The group said the trails will provide recreation for a wide range of people: hikers, e-bike and horseback riders among them.
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