National forest looks at upkeep

The San Juan National Forest released an analysis Monday that proposes to reduce an almost $6.6 million backlog in recreation maintenance by 25 percent in four years.

Under the plan, some recreational facilities will be closed permanently while others will be upgraded, said Dave Baker, who oversees recreation in the 1.9 million-acre national forest. The fate of an individual facility would depend on whether it's environmentally compatible with the area, how much use it gets and whether its cost-benefit ratio is manageable.

"Many of the San Juan's developed recreational facilities were built 30 to 50 years ago and require significant deferred maintenance to remain safe and operable," Baker said. "Other facilities receive little or no use and no longer serve their original purpose."

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