Snowmobiler watch begins this winter

Snowmobilers will be watched closely this winter - closer than ever.

Because of an upcoming decision due this spring, the U. S. Forest Service will be checking snowmobilers closely at Tahoe Meadows to determine if the sport should be banned from the area.

"It's more important than ever that they abide by existing regulations," said Stephanie Morelan, recreation planner for the Carson Ranger District.

Tahoe Meadows, a prized four-acre jewel on Mt. Rose Highway, is currently a battleground between skiers and snowmobilers as the Forest Service considers a forest plan amendment.

One of the options being considered in the amendment is banning snowmobiles from the area.

On winter weekends the sides of Tahoe Meadows highway are filled with vehicles and the snowy hills are busy with sledders, skiers and snowmobilers.

Because of the area's popularity, conflict has surfaced.

"There's a lot of user conflict," said Morelan. "We have over 800 complaints from cross country skiers."

Some of the complaints include noise, smell, aggressive driving and driving out of the boundaries. Morelan said conflicts almost always surface any time there is motorized and non-motorized activity.

"That is a multiple use area," he said. "Everybody needs to play nice."

The Forest Service is considering three alternatives to the Forest Plan Amendment they are: banning snowmobiles, limiting snowmobiling to one side of the street with skiers on the other side and maintaining the status quo, but find money for increased enforcement.

Enforcement would allow the Forest Service to patrol the area and keep snowmobiles out of the Mt. Rose Wilderness areas and the Galena closure.

The first alternative scared Greg McKay of the Mt. Rose Snowmobiling Alliance.

McKay, with others in his snowmobiling club, have developed a brochure to warn others of the possibility of snowmobiling being taken away and the rules that should be followed to keep this from happening.

"We are trying to do everything we can," said McKay.

The brochure is an action plan, detailing everything from area boundaries to common courtesy and safety.