Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials outline ATV/UTV trail restrictions, patrols and funding needs for Risky Ranch and Sucker Pond
Summary
Forest staff and local club representatives described closures and management steps for OHV trails: Sucker Pond closed to summer OHV use, Risky Ranch work underway with volunteer groups, and $40,000 in Bronco Wild funds plus $15,000 from the Forest Service were cited for trail improvements.
Forest staff and local volunteers outlined ongoing work to manage off-highway-vehicle (OHV) use in the Stamford area. The Sucker Pond Trail is closed to summer OHV use but remains open for snowmobiles; a new gate was installed and repaired after vandalism. Risky Ranch saw volunteer cleanup and rock-barrier installation; the town and clubs are seeking multi-town support to include the trail on the regional VASA network.
Funding and enforcement were central themes: the Forest Service cited $40,000 in Bronco Wild funding and $15,000 in Forest Service funds for trail improvements this summer, and local officials said additional state grants may be possible but can be limited by wetland relocation clauses. Agency staff also said law-enforcement patrols will continue and a new patrol captain and officer were named for the area. Volunteers and clubs were credited with much of the on-the-ground improvement, but both the Forest Service and local leaders said broader town cooperation is needed to open multijurisdictional routes to general public use.
