Lincoln: Forest Service Will Revisit Decision to Limit ATV Access to Wolf Pen Gap Trail Area

Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, said today that the USDA Forest Service has announced that they are initiating a review of the decision to reduce access to the Wolf Pen Gap ATV area on the Ouachita National Forest. The plan, announced in January, would reduce access to the Wolf Pen Gap area by over 70 percent. The plan was appealed by over two dozen citizens and citizens groups. Lincoln is leading the Arkansas and Oklahoma Congressional delegations in a bi-partisan effort to get the Forest Service to reconsider the plan.
“I’m pleased the Forest Service has decided to take another look at the Wolf Pen Gap area under the Ouachita Travel Management Plan. I’ve been concerned about the impact of reductions in access at Wolf Pen Gap on the recreation-based economy in communities surrounding the Ouachita National Forest. When Forest Service Chief Tidwell and I recently visited the area, it was clear that local ATV businesses and user groups are just as concerned as the Forest Service about protecting the trails and preserving the environment. This review will give all those who care about the Ouachita and depend on it for both recreation and economic development the chance to address concerns raised by over two dozen appeals filed against the plan. It’s my hope that this review will provide reasonable, year-round access to important areas such as Wolf Pen Gap,” Lincoln said.
The Forest Service upheld the Travel Management Plan for the rest of the Ouachita, meaning hunters and other ATV users will face new restrictions on the Ouachita. Lincoln expressed concern that these portions of the decision will not be part of the review.
“There is plenty of room for compromise on other aspects of the plan and I will continue to urge the Forest Service to work with all users of the Ouachita to address these issues,” said Lincoln.
Lincoln recently toured the Ouachita National Forest with Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and urged him to reverse the decision to limit ATV access in order to protect the local economies of communities around the Ouachita National Forest area. She has also met with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about this issue.

Washington, DC and Wolfpen

We had an exciting day around here today. Senator Blanche Lincoln and Forestry Chief Tom Tidwell came to Mena and visited with us about the Wolfpen Gap trail system. Senator Lincoln has been very supportive of our fight to keep the trails open, and having Chief Tidwell come to our community was a great honor. He was very receptive, and we are encouraged by today’s meeting.

This has been a tough fight, and while I know we’ve still got a long way to go, I’m glad to see that we are now hopefully moving toward some resolutions. Rage is giving way to reason, frustration possibly giving way to friendships. And this is how it should be. Hopefully we will know within the next few weeks if there can be a workable compromise.