U.S. Forest Service clarifies use of trails by jeep tour companies

by Carl Jackson

Sedona, AZ - June 9, 2008 - A local newspaper recently reported that certain jeep tour companies in Sedona had reached a settlement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over the use of forest trails in and around Sedona.

Rudy Bowen, Asst. Recreation Staff for the Red Rock Ranger District, recently spoke with Sedona.biz and clarified what the settlement will mean for Sedona residents.

According to Mr. Bowen, the litigation initially arose over the use of specific roads, such as Broken Arrow (FR 179F) and Soldiers Pass (FR 9904), which were/are used by Pink Jeep Tours and Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, respectively. 

Around 2001, prior to the issuance of the current permits, other tour companies began to access these specific trails.  The Forest Service felt that the increase of use along these trails would lead to congestion and more resource impacts, and therefore implemented a permit policy.  The current permits, many of them issued in 2005, did not authorize these other tour companies access to these specific, well-known roads and trails.

As a result, a handful of jeep tour companies sued the USFS.  The final litigants were A Day in the West, Sedona Offroad Adventures, Adventure Company at Tlaquepaque (Sedona Jeep Tours), and Arizona Safari Jeep Tours.

Mr. Bowen stated that Pink Jeep Tours was not a party to the litigation, but considered an "intervenor" under the law (one who has an interest in the outcome of a lawsuit but is not a direct party to such suit).

Recently, the litigants and the USFS agreed on certain forest service trails that would be made available to these jeep tour companies.

According to Mr. Bowen, Broken Arrow and Soldiers Pass trails were not opened up to the litigants and are currently being used only by Pink Jeep Tours and Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, respectively.

The trails opened to some or all of the litigants are as follows:

1. FR 153 (Schnebly Hill Rd. (litigants granted additional use));
2. FR 152 (Dry Creek Rd. to Van Deren Cabin via Vultee Arch Rd (Mr. Bowen noted that the new permits do not allow the jeep companies to a make stops along FR 152);
3. FR 152A (Diamond Back Gulch);
4. FR 152C (Boynton Pass Rd (the paved portion);
5. FR 9551 (Outlaw Trail);
6. FR 645A to Red Tank Draw (outside of Sedona);
7. FR 9845 to 9845N (Cliffhanger); and
8. Access along FR 119 (the Well Road), to such locations as the National Park Service's Montezuma’s Well (The USFS cannot authorize access to NPS properties.)

When asked if the settlement will lead to increased trail usage by the jeep tour companies, Mr. Bowen said that the USFS is currently in the process of conducting a "capacity analysis" to determine a maximum trail usage for each trail for jeep tour companies and the general public.  The capacity analysis will include both social and scientific input.

"One thing is clear," said Mr. Bowen.  "If our [capacity analysis] determines that the trails are being over-used, the protection of resources will take precedence over a jeep tour company."