June 7, 2006

By Jason Starr, Mail Staff Writer

The Mountain Mail

P.O. Box 189

Salida, Colorado 81201

866-539-1880 or 719-539-6691

http://www.themountainmail.com

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A compromise between proponents and opponents of all-terrain vehicle use in the St. Elmo area received preliminary approval Tuesday during the regular meeting of the Chaffee County Commissioners.

Negotiated by a group of concerned citizens during the past year, the agreement opens sections of CR [County Road] 162 and CR 292 to ATVs.

The sections total about a mile of county roads in two separate locations -- one at the town site of Alpine and one at St. Elmo.

They provide parking areas and access points for ATV users headed to federal land where ATV use is permitted.

Recreation in and around the restored mining town of St. Elmo southwest of Buena Vista is increasing, and the committee sought to satisfy all users of the area.

Last year, the county opened sections of county roads near Marshall Pass, Turret and Fourmile Creek to ATV use.

The St. Elmo area was continued for further study.

We wanted to address it this year, commissioner Jerry Mallett, said, adding that the agreement allows an ATV rental business in St. Elmo to operate.

We think we've got a compromise  thats functional, he said.

The agreement will be revisited at the end of the summer.

The county will provide signs to delineate areas where ATV users can park and access U.S. Forest Service trails.

Commissioners agreed safety of all road users is the primary concern.

The ordinance outlining the agreement will be up for final approval at the June 20 commissioners meeting.

Commissioners will consider the ordinance during a future meeting after changes are included.

Copyright 2006, The Mountain Mail.

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