White River National Forest

U.S. Forest Service • Rocky Mountain Region

Annual Report • 2010

1

The White River National Forest

The White River National Forest was established in 1891 as the White 

River Plateau Timber Reserve, the second such reserve to be named in 

the United States. It was one of the initial land reserves that started 

the public land system in America. But long before this designation, 

the Forest was home to the Ute Indians who followed herds of elk 

and bison on their seasonal migrations.

Today the Forest embodies the spirit of multiple-use management 

with more than 9 million visitors per year, making the White River the 

No. 1 forest for recreation in the country. In addition to world-class 

recreation and abundant wildlife populations, the White River hosts 

activities such as grazing, logging, mining, and oil and gas development that are crucial to the economies of western Colorado. 

The White River National Forest spans 2.3 million acres and is located 

in Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Summit, Gunnison, Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco 

and Routt counties in Colorado. In addition, the Forest serves as a 

playground for Denver and the rest of the Front Range.

By the Numbers

Total Acres of Land 2,275, 956

Wilderness Acres 751,900

Roadless Acres 640,000

Miles of System Trails 2,500

Miles of System Road 1,900

Miles of Streams 4,000

Ski Resorts/Acres 12 Resorts 45,500 acres

Number of Campgrounds/

Picnic Areas 85

Visitors per year 9.2 million
2

White River National Forest

Forest Supervisor, Scott Fitzwilliams

Deputy Forest Supervisor, Buck Sanchez

900 Grand Avenue

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

970-945-2521

Aspen and Sopris Ranger Districts

District Ranger, Scott Snelson

Aspen Office 970-925-3445

Carbondale Office 970-963-2266

Blanco Ranger District

District Ranger, Ken Coffin

Meeker, CO

970-878-4039

Dillon Ranger District

District Ranger, Jan Cutts

Silverthorne, CO

970-468-5400

Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District

District Ranger, David Neely

Eagle Office 970-328-6388

Minturn Office 970-827-5715

Rifle Ranger District

District Ranger, Glen Adams

Rifle, CO

970-625-2371
3

A Message from the Forest Supervisor....

2010 marked my first full year as Supervisor of the White River National Forest. What a year it’s been! I 

am continually humbled by the responsibility of managing 2.3 million acres of some of the finest, most 

spectacular wild lands in America. I have also been impressed by the passion and contributions of the communities, volunteers and partners who do so much to help us with our mission of “Caring for the Land, and 

Serving People.” 

This past year was marked by a number of significant achievements and a solid set of accomplishments. 

Thanks in part to our Congressional Delegation, Governor Ritter’s Office and local communities, the White 

River received about $10.4 million to deal with the impacts from the ongoing bark beetle epidemic on the 

Forest. With a few exceptions, we completed the work we set out to accomplish and have a great start to 

do more in 2011. I am excited about the future work we have planned, most notably our efforts to implement restoration strategies across the White River National Forest. 

This document is a report to you, the owners of this magnificent piece of land. We have summarized our 

financial picture and provide an overview of some of our accomplishments for each program on the Forest. 

I hope you find it informative and useful. For more information on the White River National Forest, visit us 

at: www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.

On behalf of all the employees on the White River National Forest, 

Scott Fitzwilliams

FOREST SUPERVISOR
4

Aquatic and Fisheries Program - FY 2010

The goals of the White River NF’s Aquatic and Fisheries program are to provide healthy stream and lake habitats as well as viable populations of fish and 

other aquatic species. Our three primary emphasis areas are: 1) the conservation of native aquatic species; 2) habitat improvement (10+ miles of stream); 

and 3) partnerships. 

Native aquatic species – Projects included protection of Colorado River cutthroat trout spawning areas, removing non-native or hybridized fish, genetic 

tissue collection, selective closures of roads/dispersed camping, replacing 

culverts to improve fish passage, and improving a barrier to prevent access by 

non-native fish. We continued monitoring of aquatic management indicator 

species and boreal toad breeding sites.

Partnerships in Habitat Improvement – Partnerships are key to our success. The 

FY10 Aquatic and Fisheries program was appropriated $155,000 to fund our 

staff and projects. Partnerships provided an additional $98,000 in funds and 

services including:

Project Partnership

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Program. Boat inspections to prevent introduction 

of zebra or quagga mussels. Partners included Denver Water, Colorado Division of 

Wildlife, Heeney Marina - Green Mountain 

Reservoir, and the Ruedi Water and Power 

Authority, Aspen Ski Co, and Roaring Fork 

Conservancy.

Black Gore Creek monitoring. Eagle River Watershed Council.

Coal Creek riparian restoration. Crystal Valley Environmental Protection 

group.

Cunningham Creek Fish Passage Project. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Frey Gulch Restoration. Friends of Dillon Ranger District and Keystone Horse Stables.

Meeker Fishing is Fun Day. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Wyatt’s 

Sports Center, White River Electric Association, High Country Portables, and Watt’s 

Ranch Market.

Middle Thompson Fence project. Western Native Trout Initiative, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Division 

of Wildlife.

Park Creek Brook Trout Removal. Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Swan River - Respect the River program: Conservation education associated with 

management of dispersed campsites that 

are within 100 feet of streams (prohibited 

by the Forest Plan) to improve stream 

habitat. Partners included Summit County, 

Town of Breckenridge, and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps.

Economic Impacts of hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing on the 

White River NF:

According to the most recent 2006 State and National Economic Impacts 

of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation on U.S. Forest Service 

Managed Lands from 2000-2003, the White River NF annually provided:

Travel-related expenditures within Estimated Amount

a 50-mile radius for the following 

primary-purpose trips.

Hunting $1,812,600

Fishing $5,437,801

Wildlife Viewing $4,078,351

Citation - American Sportfishing Association for the: Wildlife, Fish and Rare 

Plants, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 23rd, 2006

Mountain Bark Beetle Report – FY 2010

A brief history of the Mountain Bark Beetle situation in the Rocky 

Mountains.

By now, it is well known that a mountain pine beetle epidemic is killing entire 

hillsides of lodgepole pine including the Arapaho-Roosevelt, White River, and 

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and adjacent forested lands. While the 

mountain pine beetle also affects other pine species such as limber pine and 

ponderosa pine, to date, the majority of the trees affected are lodgepole pine 

trees. Based on aerial surveys conducted in 2010, the mountain pine beetle 

infestation includes some 4 million acres in Colorado and Wyoming.

Triggered by drought, the mountain pine beetle epidemic began in 1997. Bark 

beetle populations grew dramatically due to the predominance of mature, 

dense, lodgepole pine forests across northern Colorado. Drought conditions 

further enabled the bark beetle infestation by weakening tree resistance to 

attack. The vast tracts of large, mature lodgepole pine forests are particularly 

prone to beetle kill unlike younger forests composed of small diameter trees 

which cannot support bark beetle reproduction. Multiple warm winters have 

helped beetles survive and multiply. 

Dead and dying trees that were isolated to five northern Colorado counties 

last year can now be seen in some Front Range areas, as well as southern 

Wyoming. These areas have not seen such a large epidemic in recorded history. Consequences of this situation include:

•	 Increased wildfire hazards to communities and key watersheds.

•	 Safety hazards from dead trees falling on people and property.

•	 Impaired wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and timber values.

•	 Interference to roads and power lines.

Mountain Pine Beetle Mitigation Program, White River National 

Forest

In FY 2010, R-2 Regional Forester Rick Cables redirected $10,000,000 of 

the Rocky Mountain Region’s appropriated budget to prioritize bark beetle 

mitigation efforts. Concurrently, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary 

Vilsack directed $40 million to the Rocky Mountain Region In total, approximately $10.6 million additional funds were programmed to fund priority bark 

beetle projects on the White River NF. 

With the additional funding, we focused our efforts on the hardest hit areas of 

the epidemic, those that posed the greatest risk to people and infrastructure 

from falling trees and increased wildfire danger. There are four activities the 

White River NF is focusing on:

• Removing hazardous trees from roads, trails, and campgrounds.

• Removing hazardous fuels from the wildland urban interface and

recreational areas.

• Working with permittees to remove hazardous trees from infrastructure such as power lines, recreation residences, and ski area facilities.

• Informing the public about the hazards by creating a new web site;

producing brochures and publications; and adding patrols. 

Accomplishments of the Mountain Bark Beetle Program on the 

White River NF.

Between October 2009 and September 2010, the White River NF implemented the following strategies for mitigating the effects of the mountain pine 

beetle infestation.

Project Description

Road-side treatments Over 50 miles of roadside hazard tree implementation 

and completed 75 additional miles layout for 2011.

Trailside treatments Completed 14 miles of trailside hazard tree implementation and another 25 miles of layout.

Stewardship contracting Awarded $1.7 million of WUI fuels treatments on approximately 1400 acres.
5

Project Description

Salvage Timber Sales Over 42,000 ccf timber salvage sales awarded of which 

about 88% were accomplished thru stewardship contracting to provide job opportunities in local communities.

Timber Stand Improvement. 103 acres treated to remove competing vegetation. 1239 

acres of reforestation were completed.

Noxious weed treatments. Over 4000 acres of noxious weed treatments to preserve 

soil productivity and native vegetation.

Facilities 100 acres of hazard tree removal around facilities

Trail inventory Inventoried hazard trees along 94 miles of system trails.

Wildland Urban Interface. Implemented over 4000 acres of fuels reduction within 

the Wildland-Urban Interface, alongside roads and trails, 

and around recreation facilities.

Project planning Contracted and/or initiated project planning on over 

15,000 additional acres of beetle-infested forest in or 

near Breckenridge, Ophir Mtn, Keystone, Vail, Beaver 

Creek, and Aspen Ski resort., Burnt Mtn Beetle Salvage, 

and Hardscrabble Forest Health environmental assessments.

Laid out an additional 45,600 ccf* and 1900 acres of WUI 

fuels/timber salvage.

*ccf=100 cubic feet

Continuing Concerns associated with the bark beetle epidemic:

Fire hazard – The fire hazard is high for one to two years after being attacked, 

when dead trees are red and before their needles fall. It is lower when standing dead trees lose their needles. Fire hazard rises again after the trees fall. 

Clearing and creating fuel breaks influence how quickly a fire can move, 

allowing time for people to move out of harm’s way and providing a safer area 

for firefighters to work in to protect homes, power lines, or valuable watersheds. 

Many miles of roads and trails, and a number of recreation areas are affected. 

The risk of falling trees is escalating at an increasing rate, representing a true 

threat to the safety of the recreating public as well as USFS employees on the 

White River National Forest. In all, over 50,000 acres of hazard tree mitigation 

work has been identified along roads and trails and within developed recreation site, including:

•	 566 miles of trails; 1387 miles of road.

•	 119 developed recreation sites.

•	 11 ski areas.

Damaged power lines could cause wildfires and/or blackouts – Electricity generated in western Colorado must be transmitted across beetle-killed areas to 

serve Front Range demands. Wildfire and falling trees could damage power 

lines, disrupting service for thousands of people.

•	 In Colorado, beetle-killed trees threaten more than 550 miles of

transmission lines and distribution lines, including 451 miles on the 

WRNF. 

•	 Approximately 66 miles of power lines on the WRNF run through 32

different roadless areas. 

Essential water supplies – Water quality for many millions of people could 

be affected by the increased fire hazard associated with the accumulation of 

thousands of acres of dead trees. The heart of the epidemic in Colorado and 

Wyoming contains the headwaters for rivers that supply water to 13 western 

states. Within the White River National Forest, municipal water is supplied 

to over 4 million users living within Colorado’s Front Range urban corridor. 

Likewise, the Upper Colorado River basin lies almost entirely within beetle 

infested forests between Grand Lake and Rifle, Colorado. Severe fires could 

have a devastating and long-lasting effect on water quality and quantity for 

downstream users. 
6

Terrestrial Wildlife Program

The White River NF is a land of diverse habitats that support hundreds of 

native wildlife species. Wildlife habitats range from low elevation shrubland 

habitats to the highest mountain peaks over 14,000 feet tall. Wildlife species 

are equally as diverse ranging from large mammals such as elk, black bear, 

Canada lynx, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep, to rare birds such as the 

black swift, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and Barrow’s golden-eye.

Our wildlife program consists of partnership projects to improve habitat, 

inventorying and monitoring of rare species, sharing knowledge through educational programs, contributing to regional and national research activities, 

and working with interdisciplinary teams to design projects to accommodate 

wildlife needs.

Partnerships in Habitat Improvement – The White River NF received a final 

allocation of $542,600 for the terrestrial wildlife program that we leveraged 

with other federal funds. Partnerships provided an additional $44,200 in 

FY10 for terrestrial wildlife projects. Our partners included Colorado Division of Wildlife, Vail Associates, Copper Mountain Resort, Climax Mine, 

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, The Wildlife Society, Gunnison Energy, 

Meeker Elementary School, Colorado Field Ornithologists, Aspen Center for 

Environmental Studies, Roaring Fork Audubon Society, National Audubon 

Society, Roaring Fork Valley School Districts, Gore Range Natural Science 

School, and individual volunteers. 

FY2010 Accomplishments:

Project Description

Habitat improvements. We improved 15,270 acres of terrestrial 

wildlife habitat through prescribed burning (370 acres), road decommissioning 

(14,860 acres), and bird nest box installation (40 acres).

Wildlife monitoring. We inventoried 114,880 acres for rare species including the Uncompahgre fritillary 

butterfly, cave bats, Barrow’s golden-eye, 

greater sage grouse, northern goshawk, 

Virginia’s warbler, American pipit, Brewer’s 

sparrow, black swift, Rocky Mountain 

bighorn sheep, river otter, snowshoe hare, 

songbirds, and owls.

Environmental education programs: “Kids 

Take Flight.”

We received a 2010 National More Kids in 

the Woods grant and arranged for 46 field 

and classroom presentations that reached 

over 1,200 elementary, middle, and high 

school students. 

Bat news. We developed educational programs on 

white-nosed syndrome, a new catastrophic 

disease that has killed over one million 

bats in the U.S. 

Canada lynx research. We continued to investigate how winter 

recreation influences habitat use and 

movement patterns of the Canada lynx. 

GPS units were given to winter recreationists and put on captured lynx in the Vail 

Pass area in order to record use patterns 

of both. This study is continuing in 2011.

Avian research. We continued with research on the 

black swift and rosy finch, rare birds the 

White River NF. Our research is providing 

information on movement patterns and 

breeding habitat.

Uri with Pine Grosbeak. 1st Place Winner of the National 2009 Kids in the Woods Photo 

Contest. Photo by Natasha Goedert

Several lynx were captured and fitted with GPS collars as part of a 2010 study of winter 

recreation effects on lynx in the Vail Pass area.
7

Botany Program – FY 2010

The primary purpose of the White River National Forest’s Botany is to provide for diverse plant species and healthy plant communities, with special emphasis 

on native plant species. Important goals of this program include: 1) development of local genetic stocks of native plant species; 2) work with partners to complete surveys and monitoring; and 3) assist in the design of Forest Service projects. 

We are developing a program to increase our “foundation seed” to the commercial quantities needed for anticipated landscape level restoration projects. This 

could enhance our local restoration economy.

Seed Collection

We are working to develop native plant material sources 

from local genetic stock for a broad spectrum upland seed 

mix that includes Sandburg’s bluegrass, mountain brome, 

blue wild rye, and slender wheatgrass. 

In FY2010 we collected Sandberg’s bluegrass, blue wild rye 

and slender wheatgrass working with the Steamboat Springs 

Community Youth Corps, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and 

Forest Service personnel. 

Seed propagation plots

We spent $48,000 to prepare and plant 3 seed increase plots 

at the Forest Service’s Lucky peak Nursery in Idaho including: 1.3 acres of Sandberg’s bluegrass, 1,3 acres of Slender 

wheatgrass and 0.3 acres of Blue wildrye. In FY09 we spent 

$16,000 to prepare and plant 1 seed increase plot; Mountain 

Brome. These 4 plots will yield foundation seed in FY11, 

FY12 and FY13.

Wetland mapping and fen inventory

We have a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with Colorado 

State University/Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) 

for wetland mapping and field surveys. CNHP has been 

working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National 

Wetland Inventory (NWI) Program and numerous funding 

partners to create a comprehensive digital map/Geographic 

Information System (GIS) of wetlands for the state of Colorado by 2015. The digitizing and mapping of the wetlands 

within the WRNF is integral to our mutual goal to determine 

the extent and location of wetlands across the state. FY2011 

Budget – $61,500.

Plant Inventories

We worked with the University of Wyoming under a Cost 

Share Agreement to conduct a general floristic survey in 

order to obtain representative specimens of all vascular flora 

(including grasses, sedges, trees, forbs, shrubs, ferns, etc.) 

across the WRNF including federally threatened, endangered 

proposed, sensitive, and non-native and/or noxious weed 

species. FY2010 Budget - $32,000.
8

Engineering

Program Overview

The Engineering organization is made up of two primary program areas: 

Roads and Facilities. The roads program is charged with the maintenance of 

approximately 2,300 miles of passenger car (PC) and high-clearance (HC) 

roads on the Forest. The facilities program takes care of approximately 150 

administrative buildings as well as the infrastructure in over 30 campgrounds 

throughout the Forest.

FY10 Accomplishments

Road Maintenance

During Fiscal Year 2010, approximately 670 miles of road maintenance was 

performed through a combination of the Forest’s Construction & Maintenance (C&M) crew, Forest Service contractors, Timber Sale Purchasers, and 

county road crews under Forest Road Agreements.

C&M or FS Contractors:

•	 193 mi of PC roads

•	 98 mi of HC roads

Timber Sale Purchasers:

•	 15 mi of PC roads

•	 5 mi of HC roads

County Road Crews:

•	 280 mi of PC roads

•	 80 mi of HC roads

Road Decommissioning

Approximately 35 miles of unauthorized roads were closed, or decommissioned, across the Forest. These roads had been closed to the public previously, mostly to prevent resource damage. However, the closures had not 

performed effectively, leading to access into the closed areas and subsequent 

resource damage.

Facilities Projects

Seven large facilities projects were awarded and completed during FY10. 

These projects ranged from replacing administrative building roofs to repairing water systems and other infrastructure in campgrounds.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Two major ARRA projects were funded on the Forest. The first project was 

comprised of three sub-projects under the Rocky Mountain, Region-wide 

Historic Cabin Restoration effort were funded on the Forest. Restoration and 

maintenance contracts totaling approximately $185,000 were completed on 

the Notch Mountain Shelter, Piney Guard Station, and Tigiwon Lodge buildings, located on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District. These projects focused 

on the reduction of critical deferred maintenance, extending each structure’s 

useful life. 

The second ARRA project focused work at the Dillon Ranger District’s Cow 

Creek South Campground on Green Mountain Reservoir. Construction contracts were awarded for much-needed highway access safety improvements to 

the intersection off of Colorado State Highway 9, and improvements within 

the campground, providing a new camping loop, and associated host site 

amenities. The total value of the contracts awarded is approximately $1.75 

million dollars. Work on these improvements should commence during the 

2011 field season.

Bark Beetle Work

The Forest Engineering Team also contributed in the effort to combat the 

on-going Mountain Pine Bark Beetle Epidemic during fiscal year 2010. The 

Roads program and Construction and Maintenance crew provided support 

for the removal of both Roadside Hazard trees and Fuels Reduction timber. Approximately $70,000 worth of contract maintenance was performed 

on Forest Service roads in support of Bark Beetle work. An additional $1.3 

million dollars in construction and maintenance contracts were awarded this 

last year. Those contacts will be completed during the 2011 field season. This 

upcoming field season will focus more effort on road maintenance as the majority of the Bark Beetle timber removal will get underway. The Construction 

and Maintenance crew performed stump grinding and clean-up in campgrounds primarily on the Dillon Ranger District.

Project Highlights

Hanging Lake Boardwalk

During the 2010 field season, major infrastructure improvements were 

completed at Hanging Lake, which is a tourist destination for nearly 50,000 

Forest visitors each year. The contract, originally awarded in Fiscal Year 2009, 

called for the replacement of the entire boardwalk, trail hand rail, and the 

design and construction of rock-fall and slide mitigation barriers. Nearly all 

of the materials for construction were airlifted to the site by helicopter, and 

construction took nearly 3 months to complete. The total project cost was 

approximately $1.13 million dollars.

Crooked Creek Dam

Another major project completed, was the first of two phases to repair 

Crooked Creek Dam, which is 20 miles south of Eagle, Colorado. The dam, 

first built in 1946, has had significant structural issues since 2005, posing a 

safety hazard to downstream residents and the public. The project was funded as a part of the Forest Service’s Capital Investment Program (CIP) in 2007. 

The work was completed in cooperation with the US Bureau of Reclamation.
9

Forest Financial Report

Expenditures

Each year, Congress appropriates funding for specific programs and within 

specific spending limits for the Forest Service. Over the past decade, the 

White River NF operating budget has remained relatively flat. Fortunately, 

the last three years we have received additional funding to address the bark 

beetle epidemic. In 2010, approximately $10.4 million was spent on important bark beetle mitigation work. One of our financial goals over the next several years is to reduce our “fixed costs” for items such as personnel, vehicles 

and overhead for rent, utilities and supplies. This will result in more money 

available for contracts and seasonal field employees. In the pages to follow, a 

more detailed explanation is provided for how we spent the funds. 

2010 Expenditures

Bark Beetle Mitigation 10,450,200

Recreation Management 3,150,802

(includes recreation fees collected)

General Administration 2,564,780

Road & Trail Maintenance & Construction 2,554,469

Mineral & Mining Management 1,265,637

Fire Preparedness 1,252,830 

Fire Suppression 1,218,717 

Timber & Vegetation Management 1,115,893 

Fleet/Vehicles/Fuel/Maintenance 1,102,761 

Facilities Maintenance & Construction 1,057,259 

Lands & Realty 781,556 

Wildlife & Botany Management 624,877 

Range Administration 552,972 

Planning, Inventory & Monitoring 402,371 

Fuels Reduction 336,485 

Cost Recovery 135,840 

TOTAL 28,567,419

Approximately $8.3 million of the total White River expenditures were 

spent on contracts in 2010. Private entities are awarded these contracts 

via a competitive bidding process. 

Of the $10.4 million spent on bark beetle mitigation work in 2010, approximately $6.44 million were spent on contracts.

The Department of Labor estimates that for every $1 million spent on 

forest restoration, 23 private sector jobs are supported. Using these estimates, approximately 148 private sector jobs were supported by White 

River NF expenditures. 

Revenues and Collections

The White River NF collects money for a variety of commercial activities that 

take place on the forest. These collections come from recreation special use 

permits, oil and gas revenues, timber sales, power line and land use permits, 

grazing permits, cooperative work agreements and miscellaneous special 

events. With a few exceptions, these funds are deposited directly to the U.S. 

Treasury and are not returned to the forest. Over the past decade, revenues 

on the White River NF have more than doubled, while expenditures have 

remained about the same. 

2010 Revenues and Collections

Recreation Special Use Permits 12,433,414 

(includes fee site collections) 

Oil & Gas Revenue 2,552,783

Utilities Special Use Permits 1,097,690

Timber Sales 593,942 

Cooperative Work Agreements 418,744

Cost Recovery 393,231 

Lands/Lands Special Use Permits 368,964 

 Quarters 203,255 

 Grazing Permits 103,917 

Road Maintenance Agreements 61,012 

Miscellaneous 6,808

Minerals - Rock Collecting 4,578

Donations 4,321 

TOTAL 18,242,656

Twenty Five Percent Funding

Since 1908, when Congress enacted what is commonly known as the Twenty 

Five Percent Fund Act to compensate local governments for the tax-exempt 

status of the national forests, the Forest Service has shared 25 percent of gross 

receipts from national forests with states to help fund public schools and 

roads. The so-called “25 percent payments” were made to the states for the 

benefit of public schools and public roads in the counties in which national 

forests are located. The allocation of the funds between schools and roads 

varies according to state laws. The receipts, on which the 25 percent payments 

are based, are derived from timber sales, grazing, minerals, recreation and 

other land use fees, deposits and credits. The following displays the funding 

provided counties from collections from the White River NF.

25 % Fund Distributions

Eagle County $512,840

Pitkin County $425,773

Summit County $525,190

Secure Rural Schools Funding

On October 3, 2008 the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS Act) was amended and reauthorized. This law 

ensures that for the next four years (2008 –2011), counties which chose to 

participate in the SRS program can continue to count on stable and transition payments that provide funding for schools and roads make additional 

investments in projects that enhance forest ecosystems, and improve cooperative relationships. The following table shows how much money was provided 

Colorado counties in 2010 via the SRS Act from collections from the White 

River NF.

Secure Rural School Funding

Routt County 3,203

Garfield County 473,847

Rio Blanco County 98,907

Gunnison County 68,401

Mesa County 96,000
10

Fuels Program (Non-Mountain Pine Beetle)

The purpose of the White River NF’s Fuels program is to reduce and manage 

hazardous fuels, primarily in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), where the 

National Forest is in close proximity to private lands, structures, and communities. The intent of our fuels program is to moderate the potential of a 

wildfire that could be a threat to public health and safety, communities and 

infrastructure, and fire-fighter safety. Fuels treatments also enhance habitat, 

watershed, and forest conditions. Below are 2010 fuels accomplishments:

FY2010 Regular Program of Work

Fuels treatment type Acres Remarks

Prescribed fire – Broadcast burning in mixed 

mountain shrub cover 

types to improve wildlife 

habitat in addition to 

reducing fuel loading.

380 West Divide and Alkali Creek areas, Rifle 

Ranger District.

Due to weather conditions, we did not accomplish typical spring burning acreages (about 

2,500 acres). About 1,260 acres still await 

burning treatments in these areas.

The Alkali Creek project is a cooperative project 

between the BLM (completed 2010), the Forest 

and the Grand Valley District of the Grand 

Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National 

Forest. Preparatory treatments are planned for 

the spring of 2011. 

Prescribed fire – pile 

burning

110 Over 100 acres of pile burning were accomplished on the Rifle and Blanco Ranger 

Districts.

Total 480

FY2010 Annual Report for Fuels Program (Mountain Pine Beetle)

Mountain Pine Beetle 

Fuels Treatments Acres Remarks

Mechanical 430 Partnership agreement (Wyden amendment), 

Stewardship, or Forest Service crew projects 

with the Red Tail Ranch, Keystone area, Gold 

Hill, and Maryland on the Dillon and Eagle/

Holy Cross Ranger Districts to remove or 

shred woody material. The Wyden Amendment 

authority allows for Forest Service funds to be 

spent on private lands if it in the public interest. Stewardship agreements allow the Forest 

Service to exchange goods (woody products) 

for services (thinning, removal, shredding). 

Prescribed fire – Pile 

burning

240 Located on the Dillon and Eagle/Holy Cross 

Ranger Districts during the fall/winter. 

Some of the areas burned were initially thinned 

in the Vail Valley area as part of a 2008 under 

a partnership agreement among the Town of 

Vail, Eagle County and the White River NF. This 

was the first large scale project completed 

under the Community Wildfire Protection Plan 

(CWPP) process championed by the Colorado 

State Forest Service and adopted by other communities throughout Colorado.

Total 670
11

Heritage Resources

The White River NF Heritage Program strives to meet our preservation responsibilities by supporting other Forest resource needs and building knowledge and understanding of heritage resources on the forest. The Heritage 

Program has three important elements; protect historic properties, share their 

values with the public, and contribute information and perspectives to land 

management. The following are some of the accomplishment highlights in 

2010: 

Inventory

Over 5000 acres of Heritage Resource inventory was conducted in support of 

projects such as fuel reduction, recreation improvements, habitat restoration, 

abandoned mine closures, special uses, and range allotments. Approximately 

11% of WRNF has been inventoried to date.

Public Education and Outreach

Interpretive tours are provided every summer at Independence Townsite and 

Ashcroft Ghost Town in partnership with Aspen Historical Society and Aspen 

Center for Environmental Studies. Educational and public events were also 

held at Cayton Guard Station along with establishment of a website in partnership with the Cayton Ranger Station Foundation.

National Register Listing (Highlight)

Historic Soda Creek Ranch was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places bringing the total to six National Register-listed properties on 

the WRNF. Soda Creek Ranch is one of the earliest dairy ranches in Summit 

County, Colorado, established in the late 1880s. It continued as a working 

cattle ranch until acquired by the Forest Service in 1987. The ranch is currently under permit with Keystone Resorts which provides sleigh rides, wagon 

rides, and dinners for resort guests. 

Cayton Guard Station

One of the oldest FS 

administrative buildings in the nation still in 

existence. Project was 

accomplished through 

a partnership with the 

Cayton Ranger Station 

Foundation, private donations, FS funding, and 

volunteer help.

 

Piney Guard Station

This historic administrative building was built 

in 1935. Through ARRA 

funding, critical repairs 

were made to this cabin 

including a new shingle 

roof, floor refinishing, 

removal of non-historic 

elements, repairs to the 

foundation. 

 

Tigiwon Community 

House

Built in 1931 by the Civilian Conservation Corps 

(CCC) to serve the thousands of religious pilgrims 

on their way to view the 

Mount of the Holy Cross. 

This massive log building 

was repaired with ARRA 

funds. 

 

Soda Creek Ranch 

Reynold’s Cabin

Reynold’s Cabin and dairy 

barn repairs were funded 

by Keystone Resort permit 

fees. It is planned to 

continue restoration on 

the other historic ranch 

structures in FY11 and 

upcoming years. 

Notch Mountain 

Shelter

Built in 1931-32, it stands 

on the summit of Notch 

Mountain. Religious 

pilgrims took shelter here 

and contemplated the 

beauty of the Mount of 

the Holy Cross.

Protection and Stewardship 

Restored and maintained historic properties:
12

Lands

The Lands Program on the White River NF accomplishes the issuance and 

administration of Special Use Authorizations, land adjustments through exchanges, sales, purchases and donations, right-of-way acquisitions, resolution 

of title questions and unauthorized uses and surveying of Forest boundaries. 

Realty Specialists also provide support for Forest activities and the public 

through determination of land ownership, boundary locations and management responsibilities for facilities such as roads and trails.

Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2010

Case Type Accomplished

Special Use Authorizations Issued

(No. of Cases)

Issued 66

Reissued 63

Total 119

Special Use Authorizations Administered

(No. of Cases)

Field Inspected 41

Assured Compliant at 

Issuance 119

Tota1 160

Title Resolved (Trespasses Resolved)

(No. of Cases)

15

Boundaries Surveyed (Miles) 77

Small Tracts Act Easement Interchanges 1

Special Use Authorization cases approved a variety of facilities and activities 

including roads, erosion control structures, reservoir enlargements, commercial filming, communications facilities, electric power lines, a natural 

gas pipeline, telephone lines, vegetation clearing on utility lines in pine bark 

beetle killed timbered areas, irrigation and municipal water facilities (including six Ditch Bill easements) and scientific and engineering investigations.

Among the trespass resolution cases were those involving a water well, cabins, 

fences and recreational equipment located on National Forest System lands 

without authorization.

Much of the 77 miles of boundary surveyed were done to facilitate the clearing of dead and dying timber attacked by pine bark beetles. Most of the work 

was performed in Summit and Eagle Counties.

The Small Tract Act easement interchange involved acquiring public access on 

portions of the Sunnyside Trail in Pitkin County, Colorado.

Projects for Fiscal Year 2011

Several major projects are contemplated for FY 2011. Three land exchanges 

are planned which would include a total of approximately 1,130 acres of Federal land and 1,480 acres of non-Federal land. In addition, ten planned major 

Special Use Authorization cases would approve roads, reservoir enlargements, 

communications facilities, electric power lines, a material fill site and irrigation and municipal water facilities.

Minerals Program

Program Overview

The minerals program on the White River NF aims to make mineral resources available for development in a manner that protects the environment 

and ecological resources. Minerals such as gold, silver and other locatable 

resources are managed under the 1872 Mining Law which allows mining on 

federal land. Oil and gas leasing is managed in the 1986 Onshore Leasing Act 

which allows development under certain conditions established to protect resources and ecological function. The minerals program includes seven active 

program components.

•	 Leasable Minerals

•	 Locatable Minerals

•	 Mineral Materials

•	 Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)

•	 Environmental Compliance and Protection (ECAP)

•	 Paleontology

•	 Groundwater

The program funding for the White River NF minerals program was spent on 

accomplishing work within each of the seven program components identified above. The following is a brief summary, by program component, of the 

budget, projects, accomplishments, and notable statistics for FY 2010.

Leasable Minerals

The White River NF Oil and Gas Leasing Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) Revision Notice of Intent was published, public scoping was completed, 

and environmental analysis was started. A draft EIS is expected to be available for public comment in the spring of 2011. 

Additional projects included processing 2 lease nominations and review and 

release of Coal Basin mine reclamation bonds.

Rifle Ranger District – Divide Creek Unit 30 well pad final reclamation in progress.
13

Locatable Minerals

Projects in the locatable minerals program included processing notice of 

intents and plan of operations for unpatented mining claims in Summit and 

Pitkin counties.

The Dillon Ranger District processed 17 notices of intent and administered to 

standard 5 unpatented mining claims.

Mineral Materials 

The mineral materials program is focused primarily on processes and administering rock and gravel operations on the Forest. Accomplishments for 2010 

include:

•	 NEPA for proposed rock collection site on the Aspen/Sopris and

Eagle/Holy Ranger Districts.

•	 2 mineral material disposal permits issued .

•	 Mineral material disposal permits generated $2,750 for the Federal

Government.

Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)

The AML program on the Forest deals with the demolition of former mine 

structures and safety closures of open adits and shafts that have been left by 

historical mining operations. 

Notable 2010 Accomplishments - The demolition and safety closures pave the 

way for future Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 

Liability Act (CERCLA) removal projects at the Hope Mine and Butterfly/

Burrell sites.

2010 Accomplishments – 

•	 81 oil and gas sites administered to standard

•	 2 lease operations administered

•	 2 lease nominations processed

•	 Miles of Oil and Gas Roads Reclaimed = 1

•	 Number of Oil and Gas Pads Reclaimed = 3

•	 Acres of Oil and Gas Disturbance Reclaimed = 12

•	 Number of Final Abandonment Notices Issued = 1

•	 Miles of Oil and Gas Roads Maintained to Standard = 30

•	 Number of Active Oil and Gas Operations = 10

•	 Number of Proposed Oil and Gas Operations = 3

•	 Miles of Oil and Gas Pipeline Under Special Use = 65

•	 Miles of Oil and Gas Pipeline Under Special Use Permit = 31

•	 Miles Produced Water Pipeline Under Special Use = 5

•	 Miles Produced Water Pipeline Under SUPO = 10

•	 Number of Sundry Notices Processed = 26

•	 Number of APDs Expired without Drilling = 11

•	 Amount of Natural Gas Produced = 4,562,031 Mcf

•	 Total Value of Gas Produced = $19,308,796

•	 Total Value of Federal Gas Royalties = $2,413,600

•	 Amount of Oil Produced = 11,352 bbls

•	 Total Value of Oil Produced = $871,688

•	 Total Value of Federal Oil Royalties = $108,961

•	 Volume Gas Injected Wolf Creek Storage=1,037,259Mcf

•	 Volume Gas Withdrawn Wolf Creek Storage = 949,166Mcf

•	 Total Federal Revenue from Wolf Creek Storage = $27,472

Rifle Ranger District – Divide Creek Unit 30 well pad final reclamation complete.

Aspen / Sopris Ranger District - Interdisciplinary team site visit to the proposed Basalt 

Mountain rock collection site.

Blanco Ranger District – Butterfly/Burrell adit with bat friendly gate installed.
14

Upper Colorado River Fire Management Program 

The Forest’s fire management program is led by the Upper Colorado River 

(UCR) interagency fire management organization. The interagency program 

is responsible for 4,340,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management and National Forest lands ranging from high alpine to desert with urban interface and 

intense public recreation.

The entire UCR averages 250 fires annually with acreage burned ranging from 

4000-12,000 acres per year. Although the White River has a relatively low 

number of fires annually, during dry years the Forest can experience large, 

difficult to manage fires. With the advent of the mountain pine beetle affected 

lodge pole pine, the White River is working hard to mitigate the threat to the 

communities. 

FY10 Accomplishments – In 2010 the White River NF had a total of 83 fires 

which burned 1495 acres. Most of these acres burned as part of the Meadow 

Creek fire which lasted 122 days and was managed to accomplish resource 

benefits. The goal for management of this fire is supported by the White 

River Fire Management Plan. 

Future goals – In February of 2009 fire management direction changed with 

new policy implementation guidance encouraging that the full range of 

response be considered for every unplanned ignition. This provides for: 1) 

full consideration of risk management in deploying fire fighters, and 2) the 

consideration of every natural ignition as a means to accomplish resource 

management objectives. In the future we plan to manage unplanned natural 

ignitions as a means to enhance ecosystem conditions 

Examples of varying fuel conditions in the UCR – From left to right: 1) Steep terrain with dense vegetation; 2) heavy fuels in wildland urban interface; and 3) 

fuels conditions in and around gas/oil development areas.

Partnerships

A great deal of valuable work on the forest is accomplished through the efforts of our partners. In many cases, both the Forest Service and our partners 

make contributions toward completion of a project or mutual interest in some 

goal or value. These partnerships can provide funding, salary/labor, supplies 

and materials or in some cases a combination of these. Without these dedicated people and organizations, we could not carry out our mission of “Caring for the Land and Serving People”. 

Examples of new and on-going partnership work include but are not limited 

to:

•	 Reclamation and mitigation of safety hazards related to abandoned

mines

•	 Mutual interest and mutual benefit in various projects that enhance

Forest Service activities including:

•	 Range, trails, fuels reduction, education, wildlife habitat restoration,

watershed improvement and many more.

•	 Cooperative pollution abatement, manpower, job training and development programs

•	 Improving, maintaining, or protecting ecosystem conditions through

collaborative administration and/or implementation of projects.

Volunteer Program Accomplishment Report 2010

Ranger District Accumulated 

Volunteer Hours

Appraised Dollar 

Value

Aspen/Sopris Districts 16,580 $345,527

Eagle/Holy Cross Districts 11,218 $168,948

Dillon District 20,062 $418,290

Blanco District 3,964 $82,649

Rifle District 2,931 $61,111

Totals 38,675 $1,076,525
15

Range Program

The White River NF permits sustainable grazing to local ranches in a manner 

compatible with other uses. In 2010 we permitted seasonal summer grazing 

for 16,270 cattle and 43,290 domestic sheep on 92 grazing allotments under 

permits issued predominately to family owned and operated ranches. 

The settlement of many of the areas adjacent to the White River NF was based 

on agriculture. Summer grazing on the White River NF provides for economic viability of the local ranching industry. This in turn provides for open 

space, wildlife habitat, and limits urban sprawl.

Managed grazing provides benefits to other resources such as water developments available for wildlife that also help to protect stream-side riparian 

areas. Proper utilization of plants by domestic livestock helps the plants 

maintain plan vigor and species diversity, providing forage and habitat for a 

wider array of wildlife.

Range Partnerships:

Projects Remarks

Cooperative range monitoring program The Blanco Ranger District partnered with 

the White River Conservation District and 

3 Ranger Districts to develop a monitoring program. Training was provided by 

the Conservation District and the Forest 

Service, creating a common understanding 

of range management standards.

Coordinated Resource Management Plan 

(CRMP)

The White River NF partnered with the 

Colorado Division of Wildlife to update 

the Oak Ridge/Lost Park CRMP, continuing 

a 21 year cooperative project that won a 

national award for its benefits to natural 

resources and sustained partnerships.

Range Accomplishments:

Projects Remarks

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

projects 

The White River NF completed NEPA process and decision for the Milk Creek Allotment. Public scoping and interdisciplinary 

field analysis was completed on 9 other 

allotments (Decision Notices expected in 

2011). 

Water developments The White River maintained 20+ water 

developments that benefit both livestock 

and wildlife.

Range Program Goals for FY2011:

Projects Remarks

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

projects 

Completion NEPA process and decision for 

9 grazing allotments. Field analysis on 6 

allotments to support NEPA processes for 

2012 and 2013. 

Monitoring Continue with allotment monitoring to 

ensure compliance with allotment management plans. 

The White River NF will continue monitor 

domestic and bighorn sheep use patterns 

in the Flat Tops allotments.

Cooperative range monitoring program Expand the program on the Blanco Ranger 

District to other units on the White River 

NF.

Total White River NF Agreements and Funding:

41 new partnership agreements were issued in 2010, bringing the total White 

River NF agreements to 105. The following table shows the breakdown:

Forest Service – Cash $1,071,373

Forest Service – Non-Cash $537,162

Cooperator – Cash $1,022,852

Cooperator – Non-Cash $1,250,783

Non-Cash contributions are expenses incurred that are contributed to the project in lieu of cash, but for which costs have been incurred. Non-Cash contributions shown above include in-kind contributions, for use in the project for which 

either party has incurred no expense.

The Friends of the Dillon Ranger District

Named 2010 Forest Service Volunteer Group of the Year

On January 6, 2011, James Bidwell, Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer resources, announced the selection of the Friends of the Dillon Ranger 

District (FDRD) as the Volunteer Group of the Year, a national award given 

to a group that provides outstanding volunteer service to the Forest Service. 

FDRD volunteers served more than 4,000 hours on National Forest projects 

that included trail maintenance and construction, planting tree seedlings, litter pick up, and pulling invasive weeds. 

The FDRD has two primary programs. The Service Project Program allows 

community members and visitors to participate in one-day volunteer opportunities that focus on community-based forestry efforts relating to invasive 

weed management, fuels reduction, fire mitigation, habitat restoration, and 

recreation management. The Forest Stewards Program allows community 

members to participate in an ongoing volunteer program which offers leadership training and educational opportunities. The Forest Stewards Program 

includes the following initiatives: Trail Crew Leaders, Ranger Patrols and 

Outreach Educators, Adopt-A-Trail Groups, and Youth and Family Stewards.

In 2010, FDRD projects included a total of 4,371 hours of volunteer labor. 

Over 500 youth participated in 19 projects. The following was accomplished: 

•	 17 miles of trail was maintained. 

•	 352 drainage structures (e.g., water bars and check dams) were constructed. 

•	 295 feet of new trail was constructed. 

•	 349 feet of trail turnpike was constructed. 

•	 182 tree seedlings were transplanted within two campgrounds. 

•	 59 bags of litter were collected from roadsides through an adopt-aroad litter pick up program. 

•	 10 bags of invasive weeds were pulled. 

•	 Ranger Patrollers went out on over 160 hikes and patrolled over 649

miles of trail. 

Nominees for the Volunteer Awards exemplify the commitment and dedication of many citizen stewards that support the work of the Forest Service and 

assure the continuity of the public lands legacy. The contribution of Forest 

Service volunteers are extensive and are essential to our ability to fulfill our 

mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity. 
16

Recreation

The White River continues to be the most heavily visited National Forest in 

the nation with estimated use at around 9.2 million annual visits. Comparatively, this is about around 1 million more annual visits than Grand Canyon 

and Yosemite National Parks combined or having more visits than the entire 

populations of New York City and Denver combined.

Downhill Skiing and Other Special Use Permits:

Downhill skiing continues to be the most popular activity with several 

nationally and internationally recognized ski areas among the 11 ski areas 

permits on the Forest. The White River NF made decisions on a total of 9 ski 

area project proposals of varying sizes and reviewed and accepted two updated ski area master plans. Five additional environmental analyses continue 

to move forward, including four to deal with the bark beetle epidemic and 

other forest health issues at seven of the resorts. This year, Beaver Creek was 

chosen as the site for the 2015 World Alpine Championships. The Forest will 

be working with Beaver Creek and other resorts on additional project proposals in 2011.

In 2010, the forest administered an additional 249 recreation special use 

permits including 158 outfitter/guide permits. Receipts paid by permittees 

totaled $11,767,080. $11,343,458 was deposited in the Federal treasury with 

the remaining $423,622 retained for use on the Forest under the Federal 

Lands Recreation Enhancement Act authority.

Trails:

The replacement of the Hanging Lake Boardwalk and trail improvements 

highlights the list of trails work for the past year. This trail, located in the 

very popular Glenwood Canyon, is used by nearly 80,000 visitors a year. The 

facilities had last been upgraded nearly 20 years ago and had been used by 

well over 1,000,000 hikers since the last major work. A new 285 foot boardwalk with viewing platform and seating areas and a new safety handrail on 

the approach to the lake replace the older worn out structures. Additionally, 

a new debris fence was constructed on the east side of the lake to prevent rock 

fall from filling the lake with debris. Volunteers from Roaring Fork Outdoor 

Volunteers and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado donated over 1650 hours to 

help reconstruct nearly 2400 feet of the one mile trail leading to the lake. The 

volunteer work will continue with these two groups into 2011. Additional 

trail highlights included trail safety clearing in response to the Bark Beetle 

and the installation of the Capitol Creek Trail Bridge needed to move the 

heavily used trail out of a wetland area.

Non-Native Species Response:

The Forest Recreation program continues to be challenged in dealing with the 

prevention of non-native threats due to recreational use. In 2009, the Forest 

responded to the threat from Aquatic Nuisance Species by changing the boat 

launching programs at Green Mountain and Ruedi Reservoirs and committing resources toward boat inspections at these locations to ensure continued 

public access. These programs were adjusted and improved, with the assistance of partners and contractors in 2010. Additionally, in 2010 the Forest 

began its response to a potential threat of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in 

bats as a Regional closure order for caves and mines was put into place. This 

closure is intended to reduce the threat that this disease, which has killed 

millions of bats in the Eastern and Southern US, would be brought into the 

Forest accidentally by humans. The White River contains the highest number 

and concentration of caves in the State. Educational materials, road signs, 

cave closure signs and limited physical closures were developed and put into 

place to address this concern.

Travel Management:

The Forest has been working on updating the 1985 travel management direction for the Forest for several years. This past year the team working on this 

project reviewed the comments in 700 letters and emails received on the most 

recent draft for the Travel Plan, completed the analysis for the Environmental 

Impact Statement, received the final biological opinion needed from the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service and has prepared a recommendation to the Forest Supervisor. The long-awaited final decision is expected early in 2011. In 

anticipation of the decision, over 70 new kiosks to display travel information 

have been constructed on major road accesses and at trailheads. Most all of 

the kiosks were constructed through agreements with the Rifle Correctional 

Facility and the Colbran Job Corps over the past 3 years, saving the Forest 

$100,000 in construction costs. 

General Program Accomplishments: 

Much of the activity within the program is keeping the varied recreation programs operating. The following table lists program accomplishments numerically:

Measure Accomplishment Percent of Total

Recreation Sites Maintained to Standard 186 73.0%

Special Use Permits Administered to Standard168 65.0%

Trails Miles Maintained/Improved to 

Standard

485.1 N/A

Total Trail System Miles to Standard 1290.5 53.0%

Wilderness Areas Managed to Standard 6 75%
17

Fee Program

Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Information

In December 2004, Congress enacted the Recreation Enhancement Act, 

which gave federal agencies a long-term, recreation fee program. Recreation 

fees provide crucial resources that allow the federal agencies to respond to increased demand on federal lands. The goal is to provide visitors with a quality 

recreation experience through enhanced facilities and services.

In 2010, the White River NF collected $980,451 from recreational fees. This 

funding is crucial for managing the programs and keeping facilities and trails 

maintained to provide over 9 million people with some of the highest quality 

recreation opportunities in the nation. 

Without recreation fees, the Forest Service would lose a vital avenue to work 

with many partners to provide the best possible services to the public. The 

following paragraphs describe how these fees were spent and what was accomplished in 2010. 

Outfitter and Guide Fees and Recreation Special Events: $372,840 

Collected in 2010

These are fees charged to the over 150 outfitters and educational institutions 

that use the White River NF for commercial purposes. It also includes fees 

charged for recreation special events like mountain bike races, weddings and 

other organized public gatherings. The following is a list of accomplishments 

in 2010 from these fees:

•	 Maintained over 130 miles of trails - Specific tasks included: fallen tree

removal, installing and maintaining water bars, repair of poor drainage and soil erosion issues, removing rocks from the tread, rebuilding 

tread & building/repairing rock retaining walls, turnpikes, puncheon, 

rock cairns & foot bridges, routing and installation of new signs.

•	 119 Outfitter/Guide Special Use permits were administered - Accomplishments included: working with permit holders in providing 

numerous types of high quality recreational opportunities across the 

forest, camp inspections, joint training sessions, operating plan & Title 

VI compliance reviews, hazard tree evaluation/removal and client 

contacts. 

•	 Inventorying, cleaning, and rehabilitating backcountry campsites

•	 Utilized horse patrols to pack out and disposed of several hundred

pounds of trash and debris from numerous illegal caches and messy 

camps in the Flattops Wilderness and other backcountry areas of the 

Blanco Ranger District

•	 Presented hazard tree awareness slideshows and training session to

several groups of outfitters throughout the year

•	 Conducted 2 joint meetings with BLM & DOW for permitted outfitters from across the western slope to address current issues and 

concerns

•	 Inspected numerous outfitter operations and assign site camp locations

High Impact Recreation Areas and Non-Concession Campgrounds: 

$607,611 Collected in 2010

These fees are collected at Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area, Maroon Bells, 

Green Mountain Reservoir and at non-concession campgrounds. The following is a list of accomplishments from 2010:

•	 Groomed 55 miles of snowmobile trails all winter & marked over 100

miles multi-use winter trails at the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area

•	 Provided field reports to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center

and posted CAIC’s avalanche forecasts at Vail Pass.

•	 Funded three permanent backcountry rangers and six volunteers who

contributed 2108 hours to the program

•	 Made an estimated 1,000 direct visitor contacts on the trails system

and assisted with three search and rescue missions

•	 Hired a total of 15 seasonal employees to operate, maintain and provide high quality customer service at REA campgrounds and recreation areas on 3 Districts

•	 Refinished toilet interior walls, ceiling, floors and doors at numerous

campgrounds. 

•	 Repaired & replaced numerous picnic tables, firerings, parking barriers, benches, site markers, tent pads and other campground features

•	 Constructed concrete accessible ramps to six toilets and added aggregate to trails

•	 Replaced 1200 feet of wood boarder and 5,280 sq ft of crushed aggregate on an accessible pathway on the Yeoman Discovery Trail

•	 Cleaned and maintained to standard the Maroon Bells, which includes

Day Use Area, Major Interpretive Site, multiple trailheads, 3 campgrounds, Welcome Station, potable water systems, and 27 individual 

toilets.

•	 Maintained staffing for customer service and collections at the Welcome Station and administered Maroon Bells road restriction seven 

days per week from 7:00AM to 7:00PM, June 19, 2010 to October 1, 

2010. 

•	 Administered the Forest Conservancy Wilderness Volunteer program.

•	 Partnered with the City of Aspen for electronic information signage

on Maroon Creek Road.

•	 Initiated process for installing an AT&T micro-cell at the Maroon

Bells for emergency cell phone access.

•	 Permitted and administered over 40 recreation events

A new accessible crushed aggregate 

& timber boarder trail at Yeoman Park 

Campground

REA Trail crew builds a bridge on the 

Middle Fork Swan Trail 

Blanco Trail Crew leads their pack mule 

across a reconstructed rock retaining wall 

on the Trappers Lake Trail 

Volunteer Andy Arnos installs sign made 

from materials purchased with fee money

Back County rangers patrol at Vail Pass

Vail Pass REA funds trail grooming
18

Campground Concession Program

53 campgrounds and day-use sites on the White River NF are operated by a 

concessionaire under a special-use permit. The concessionaire is responsible 

for all operations at the sites. The permit holder pays a fee for the service and 

in return is allowed to keep the collections from the campgrounds. A portion 

of these collections can be used as “fee offset”, where instead of paying the 

government a fee, the concessionaire completes important work at the site. 

Adjusted Gross revenues 

collected at Campgrounds $723,884 

Fee offset total $108,582 

Fee Offset Accomplishments in 2010

Forest-wide

•	 Completed $15,000 worth of road maintenance in campgrounds	

Dillon Ranger District

•	 Refurbished all campground entrance signs	 	 	

•	 Removed and reconditioned four sewage lift station pumps	

Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District

•	 Purchased 10 new picnic tables & 10 new firerings for installation in

2011 

Aspen/Sopris Ranger District

•	 Purchased and installed a Shed City Tool shed at Difficult campground 

•	 Installed 17 bear proof food storage lockers	 	 	

•	 Purchased and installed 20 new picnic tables, 24 new firerings & 1

standup grill 

•	 Purchased and installed 2 new water tower/cleanout stations @ Ruedi

Dump Station 

•	 Installed concrete ADA aprons on 9 toilets	 	 	

•	 Delivered and spread approximately 85 tons of road base in living

spaces and around toilets

•	 Purchased 10 bear proof storage boxes	

Blanco Ranger District

•	 Purchased 13 new picnic tables for installation in 2011	 	

•	 Purchased 5 new bear proof, 3-yard dumpsters for installation in

2011

Rifle Ranger District

•	 Purchased & installed 4 double bear proof trash receptacles @ Meadow Lake Complex

New water tower/

cleanout station at 

Ruedi Dump Station 

(Sopris RD)

17 new bear proof 

food storage lockers 

were installed across 

Aspen/Sopris RDs

Contractors pull 

sewage lift station 

pumps for rebuilding at Peak One CG 

(Dillon RD)

Some of 85 tons 

of fresh road base 

spread at Difficult 

Group living space 

(Aspen RD)

All CG entrance 

signs on Dillon RD 

were refurbished 

and new credit lines 

& shields installed

Bear proof trash 

receptacles were 

purchased and 

installed at the 

Meadow Lake Complex (Rifle RD)
19

Weed Program

The goal of the White River NF Weed Program is to prevent new weed infestations as well as reduce and eventually control or eradicate existing noxious 

weed populations across the White River NF. Forest Service crews, contractors, and partners accomplish our weeds treatments. We practice integrated 

weed management plan which employs biological, cultural, mechanical, and 

chemical control techniques.

Noxious weeds can alter the structure or function of ecological systems. 

Noxious weeds are non-native plant species that many times can out-compete 

native plants and unproductive become mono-cultures. This greatly reduces 

natural plant diversity, can increase soil erosion, reduce forage for wildlife and 

livestock, and reduce the scenic and recreational values of an area. Treating 

noxious weeds is expensive, exceeding $100/acre.

Highlights of the 2010 White River NF Weed Program:

•	 Establishment of an effective weed program on the Dillon Ranger

District, a goal of ours for the past several years.

•	 A strong working relationship with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Cooperatively we treated the Glenwood Canyon 

bike path the past two years, including 13 State listed noxious weed 

species.

•	 Treatment of the Camp Hale area of the Holy Cross Ranger District.

•	 Continued weed management research efforts with Colorado State

University, Colorado State Insectory, DuPont, and Dow Agro Sciences.

Project

Acres treated 

Actual*

(Affected)**

Funding Description

Bark-beetle funded projects (Forest 

Service crews and 

contracts)

635 (3,430) $200,000 Dillon and Eagle/Holy Cross 

Ranger Districts including road 

side treatments and limited 

biological control.***

Forest Service 

crew work and 

volunteers

330 (1,225 $140,300 Aspen/Sopris, Blanco, Eagle/Holy 

Cross, Rifle Ranger Districts.

Fuels (contract) 60 (300) $15,000 Old controlled burn project on 

Blanco that became infested 

with downy brome (cheatgrass)

Total 1,025 (4,995) $355,300

Partnership

Organization

Acres treated 

Actual*

(Affected)**

Value Description

Rocky Mountain 

Elk Foundation

55 (280) $15,000 Remote backcountry areas of 

portions of the Blanco Ranger 

District.

Friends of the 

Eagles Nest Wilderness

30 (140) $7,730 Remote backcountry areas of 

the Dillon and Eagle/Holy Cross 

Ranger Districts.

Private land owner 5(15) $500 Land owner funded this project 

on the Blanco Ranger District.

Colorado State 

Insectory

25 $5,000 Yellow toadflax research 

(Mecinus janthinus) insect (biological control).

Total 115 (435) $28,230 * Actual acres treated equals the actual calibrated square footage wetted by 

herbicide

** Affected acreage equals the area in and around the weed infestation directly 

affected by each specific weed population.

*** Biological control is reported at 5 acres per release site (220 insects and 5 

acres apart minimum)
20

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office Of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.