STEAMBOAT SPRINGS \u2014 Multiple snowmobilers received citations last weekend in what forest officials described as a reoccurring issue of people taking snowmobiles into restricted areas in the Routt National Forest. <\/p>
On Sunday, Dec. 29, U.S. Forest Service officers caught seven people snowmobiling in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, according to Aaron Voos, public affairs specialist with the Forest Service. Two additional people received citations for snowmobiling in the non-motorized area by Walton Peak the previous day. All of the people involved received monetary fines, with maximum amounts of $500 for the snowmobilers found in the wilderness area. <\/p>
All areas marked as wilderness or for non-motorized use are closed to snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles. Each year, the Forest Service issues citations to people who violate the restrictions, according to Voos.<\/p>
\u201cIt is ultimately up to individuals to know where they are in reference to restricted or prohibited areas,\u201d he said in an email. <\/p>
The restrictions on non-motorized areas have been in place at least since 2005, according to Voos. They arose due to a growing popularity of outdoor recreation and safety concerns over user conflicts. Keeping motorized vehicles away from skiers, snowshoers and other non-motorized recreationists has been successful in reducing those conflicts, Voos said. <\/p>
The prohibition of taking motorized vehicles into wilderness areas has existed since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act<\/a> in 1964. <\/p> Most people who violate the rules do so either out of ignorance or blatant disregard of the closures, Voos said. <\/p> \u201cWhen people don\u2019t know, it is because they haven\u2019t taken it upon themselves to learn or did not bring maps,\u201d he said. <\/p> <\/p>\n Colorado Avalanche Information Center: avalanche.state.co.us<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n