Hello,
This is my contribution to Citizen's Discussion for Tuesday's meeting.
Good morning,
I have repeatedly asked if the connecting trail from the top of the Incline down to the Barr Trail is legal. I am no longer waiting for your answer because the facts are indisputable. The connecting trail is a social trail and has to be closed.
I was looking over the Site Development and Management Plan that was produced by the Manitou Incline Task Force the other day and I found this:
On page V – 12 under the category of
“Actions Recommended prior to legal opening in 2011” it has listed:
#2. “reroute of social trail at top of Incline to Barr trail”.
Also there is a Manitou Incline Site Map on page IV – 25. It points out the connecting trail and says:
“Reroute of social trail connection to Barr Trail – conceptual alignment”.
It shows an existing trail in black with two changes (what appear to be switchbacks) in yellow.
This document repeatedly defines this trail as a social trail.
It does mention a potential “expedited NEPA process”, so please tell us all about this. Can a NEPA process be conducted without public comment? Do the City or the USFS have NEPA paperwork for this trail?
The first modification of this trail caused huge trenches across the Barr Trail where they intersect. This is proof of a lack of professional drainage design, and outright recklessness. It would not be legal to modify any social trail before the completion of a NEPA process, and if the process had been done the modification of this trail would not have caused extreme environmental damage to the Barr Trail.
Today this trail is completely illegal and it must be closed. The only way that it could have become legal is if it had undergone a legitimate NEPA process and had been approved. It has not.
Unnamed sources in the Forest Service have told me that the Special Use Permit for the Incline is invalid because the Incline, as it is defined in the permit no longer exists.
I have repeatedly asked to see the section that defines the Incline, what is the problem? Why the secrecy?
The validity of the Special Use Permit is being questioned, please show us the legal definition of the Incline.
The City and others are claiming in the media that the City of Manitou Springs does not have legal authority to put the Incline on a fee based reservation system without the consent of the property owners.
The Site Development and Management Plan does not say this. The IGA says that Manitou Springs operates the Incline, and Colorado Springs maintains it.
I have not read the entire document, if the IGA forbids Manitou Springs to put the Incline on a fee based reservation system on their own, please show us the paragraph.
Does the Special Use Permit place such a requirement? If so, please show us the section.
If Manitou Springs does not have legal authority to put the Incline on a reservation system show us in writing where this requirement is stated.
The City and others are defaming the character of the Mayor and City Council of Manitou Springs by alleging in the media that there is no real need to put the Incline on a reservation system.
I have made the facts on this subject clear for years.
The Task Force heard many complaints that the Barr Trail was being ruined because too many people were using it to come down from the incline. The public was led to believe that once legal, the Incline would have less of an impact on the Barr Trail because an alternate route down would be built. The Incline has been open for over 7 years and we are still waiting. An alternate route down will not be available for at least three or four more years, if ever.
Why does the Incline have to go on a fee based reservation system? The complete absence of management and regulation over the last 7 years.
Why has the incline caused such extreme problems with traffic, noise and parking? The infrastructure of the Incline and the surrounding areas cannot support hundreds of thousands of visitors in a single year.
Everyone talks about modeling management of the Incline after the new regulations at Hanging Lake. It is said that they now have things under control.
In a non pandemic time they allow 650 people a day to visit. How nice!
The Incline Friends group wanted Manitou
Springs to open the Incline last Friday and allow 100 people per hour. That would be 1400 a day. Would the Incline be as great as Hanging Lake if we allow more than double the number of people? If we want the Incline to be as great as Hanging Lake allow 650 people each day. During the pandemic allow far fewer people per day.
The Incline has always shown complete disregard for the rights of Barr Trail hikers, and even those who try to enjoy the Incline.
Yet now everyone attacks the City of Manitou Springs for trying to manifest good management. Our City, the Incline Friends group, Susan Davies and others now owe the Mayor and City Council of Manitou Springs a public apology.
Thank you, Carl Strow