A plan is in the talking stage that could see the construction of 6.5 miles of biking trails in the Santa Fe National Forest, along with rebuilding of up to 12 miles of one-time logging roads.
The plan, as aired by the U.S. Forest Service, would be, if made reality, the second phase of a project that has already seen the building of just over 5 miles of trails near the village of Canada de los Alamos, 9 miles to the southeast of Santa Fe.
That first phase work, done in conjunction with the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, also included the upgrading of nearly 3 miles of former logging roads for use as trails and the improvement of just under one mile of user-created trails.
The new project will additionally see the upgrading of 7.1 miles of user-created trails, with the former logging roads being made accessible for people with disabilities.
Plans for the second phase work, however, have been criticized by some residents of Canada de los Alamos, where the average home price, according to realtor.com, is $819,000, who say the work already completed has proven disruptive, with mountain bike riders dominating the trail space and negatively impacting wildlife.
Complaints have also been aired regarding what has been called a lack of public input, with a notice for comment on the second phase folded into the first phase comment period publicized four years ago.
An exact date for when the second phase biking trail project will begin has not yet been announced.
By Garry Boulard
