[NMCCSC] Fw: Rio Grande National Forest extends public comment period for Over-Snow Travel Management Plan

Thu Jul 30 11:36:34 MDT 2026

Good news!
The Forest Service Supervisor has allowed for a 10-day extension for comments on the Over-Snow Travel Management Plan.  The extension was granted because new information was submitted showing finer details on ArcGIS map overlays that were not initially provided by the USFS maps in the initial review.

Forwarded below is the email from Brittany Leffels of Winter Wildlands with links to the ArcGIS Storymap.
As Brittany states in her email: Your advocacy and willingness to speak up is what led to this 10-day extension.  Many thanks to those who have submitted your
Comments.

***Please strongly consider addressing this new and very important information.***

***If you enjoy looking at maps, ArcGIS overlays and have spent a few nights at the Spruce Hole Yurt or just skied in for the day, please strongly consider submitting your comments and findings regarding this new detailed mapping information. Since this is new information, additional comments addressing the ArcGIS Storymap are allowed.

From: Brittany Leffel <bleffel at winterwildlands.org>
Date: July 29, 2026 at 12:27:46 MDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Fwd: Rio Grande National Forest extends public comment period for Over-Snow Travel Management Plan

Hi Everyone,

The Rio Grande National Forest has authorized a 10-day extension for it's OSV comment period! If you have not already submitted your comment and need additional resources, here is the ArcGIS Storymap<https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/22e99f7503bb4d888d802696100c6868> that has all the layers overlaid. Thank you so much for your continued engagement during this important planning process. Your advocacy and willingness to speak up is what led to this 10-day extension.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/22e99f7503bb4d888d802696100c6868

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Onwards,
Brittany

Please use the link below to submit your comments:

https://winterwildlands.org/rio-grande-national-forest-publishes-draft-winter-travel-plan/?emci=7907eb90-5084-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&emdi=477d8d39-5984-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=14589950

Mary Kaye Gallagher
VP, NMCCSC

________________________________

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brittany Leffel <bleffel at winterwildlands.org>
Date: July 29, 2026 at 12:27:46 MDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Fwd: Rio Grande National Forest extends public comment period for Over-Snow Travel Management Plan

Hi Everyone,

The Rio Grande National Forest has authorized a 10-day extension for it's OSV comment period! If you have not already submitted your comment and need additional resources, here is the ArcGIS Storymap<https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/22e99f7503bb4d888d802696100c6868> that has all the layers overlaid. Thank you so much for your continued engagement during this important planning process. Your advocacy and willingness to speak up is what led to this 10-day extension.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/22e99f7503bb4d888d802696100c6868

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Onwards,
Brittany

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rio Grande National Forest <no-reply at news.fs.usda.gov<mailto:no-reply at news.fs.usda.gov>>
Date: Wed, Jul 29, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Subject: Rio Grande National Forest extends public comment period for Over-Snow Travel Management Plan
To: <bleffel at winterwildlands.org<mailto:bleffel at winterwildlands.org>>

[https://image.news.fs.usda.gov/lib/fe2d117473640479771376/m/1/9bc86696-fe8a-473c-bca8-64d29d4b99cf.png]
Rio Grande National Forest
Forest Service News Release

Media Contact: Public Affairs
amber.marshall at usda.gov<mailto:+amber.marshall at usda.gov?subject=>

Rio Grande National Forest extends public comment period for Over-Snow Travel Management Plan

Del Norte, CO, July 29, 2026 — The Rio Grande National Forest announces the extension of the comment period for the Over-Snow Travel Management Project<https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5NTJ9AA0AAAAAAM24QU9TdCKLaN5KGtYx43G9m5Zih4q4sbeYOcM4PotnYsYvHYQVqjw-DN9N7FAFKN2x_rI4EW0qdZA2efACt7p4Tl5tBz9Bi_Kl>  draft environmental impact statement. The 45-day comment period that would have ended today is being extended through Saturday, August 8.

The plan evaluates alternatives for designating over-snow routes and open areas building on the direction set in the 2020 Rio Grande National Forest Land Management Plan. When finalized, the plan will guide where and how over-snow motorized use will be allowed, providing guidance for winter recreationists.

Under 36 CFR 218.5(a)<https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5NTJ9AA0AAAAAAM24QU9Ucz3FyT69Dffv5bTS71pR6GXOUJ8t-a9gm2ZWO5UGGMdASu91bMxfrQ23pyLrkt5aU_VfVL6poJb1Z8qQ07tYxf78jiVb> comments must come from individuals or entities that previously submitted specific written comments during scoping.

Comments may be submitted to the reviewing officer, Forest Supervisor Dennis Kuhnel, by mail, express delivery or messenger service to 1055 9th St., Del Norte, CO 81132, or by https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291552<https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5NTJ9AA0AAAAAAM24QU9VylIwwpXiczOVzyLYvz1IqGdq2fXXS9ymG1QUREeG_Yt-wojWNQMW5fHpASP9xsJEnYWVZC1fDrzyhYmh_THPWrbw_91E>. Please include “Rio Grande National Forest Over-Snow Travel Project” in the subject line. Mailed comments must be postmarked by the final day of the comment period and received before the close of business on the fifth day after the period ends.

Electronic comments are preferred and can be submitted on the project website<https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5NTJ9AA0AAAAAAM24QU9WXYCNdxx0BMyac8cqqrs-zTURMOyCXN6CupGGUz8v31gvnVbS0bIQkD1Ulws939XxQWGPIl-HeBXHEd1YuyW1R6aJ-_Hw> (under the heading “Get Connected,” select Comment/Object on Project). The Forest Service strongly encourages electronic submissions. Individuals who use telecommunication devices may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, including holidays.  

Sign up to receive email updates<https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5NTJ9AA0AAAAAAM24QU9XmxeteFEQXGX2x-cmtwPnsiSzvRv63Y1rf8CfvMvUmFeOIScqHEHZbS3TsOjNxslsoCVI47rDjtFj4AVVw4A4KqbIQO6a> on National Environmental Policy Act proposed projects being planned on the Rio Grande National Forest.

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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Brittany Leffel
Colorado Policy Manager
Winter Wildlands Alliance
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