District Ranger Judy Schutza approved construction of the Matterhorn Nordic Parking Area, a new 30-space parking area, to be located at the Matterhorn Work Center about 10 miles south of Telluride. There were no issues raised about the project during the 30-day scoping period that ended on December 15, 2014 and the project has wide public support. Forest Service crews will construct the parking area this summer.
Schutza decided not to approve the expansion of the Trout Lake Nordic Parking Area. She cited that based on public comments and response, questions remain about the need for expanded parking at the site. Numerous comments were received that focused on the need for the project, the safety and road impacts associated with increased winter traffic on the Trout Lake Road and concerns about increased county winter maintenance costs.
The details of this decision are documented in a Decision Memo that is posted on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/gmug/landmanagement/projects