It may take more than a routine archaeology survey and volunteer efforts to re-open the sagehen recreation area to overnight camping, forest service officials recently revealed.
Since June advocates have been pushing for re-establishing camping at the site, located on the southern shores of McPhee Reservoir off County Road X. Sagehen is within the San Juan National Forest, and is currently closed from dusk to dawn.
The group Citizens for Sagehen and the Montezuma County Commissioners have been negotiating with district ranger Derek Padilla for a way forward on reopening the former campground, which was closed in August 2006 due to prolonged vandalism and misuse.
This month, a tentative verbal agreement was reached in which the county would pay for a basic Class 1 archaeology review as a way to fast track the procedures with a goal of reopening the site by next year.
But a more complete environmental analysis will be required, Padilla revealed in a Dec. 13 letter, and there is no guarantee it would re-open to camping.
"Over time the area has experienced changes due to erosion, wave action from the lake, and increased exposure due to lower water levels," Padilla wrote. "A Class 1 review could identify that further physical survey (also known as a Class 3 survey) would be required to make a determination on the impacts of dispersed camping in this area."
Additional studies would evaluate impacts on wildlife, recreation use, law-enforcement, sanitation, and illegal off-road travel.
The 2006 special closure order actually expired Dec. 31, 2009.
"From January 1st, 2010 to December 4th, 2012, there technically was not a formal closure order in place that restricted dispersed camping in this area," Padilla wrote.
However, the closure order was continued after it was included into the Boggy Glade/Travel Management Plan finalized on Dec. 5, 2012.
Because the final decision "specifically addressed the Sagehen area and the continuance of the prohibition of dispersed camping, another environmental analysis would be required to assess the impacts of allowing this activity."
Padilla also noted that even if the county commits resources that would expedite the environmental analysis process, "the resulting decision could be to continue the current management." Additional public comment and meetings on the matter will also be needed.
"We want to make sure we hear from all sides on whether camping should be allowed there," he said. "Our current workload and budget restrictions prevent us from considering this issue until 2015."
The commissioners disagreed with the wording of 'dispersed camping' pointing out the plan is for designated sites only as it was set up previously.
Use at the McPhee campground (80 sites) and House Creek campground (69 sites) is under utilized, officials said.
"On a yearly average, we are only at 25 percent capacity or lower for the two established campgrounds," said Tom Rice, recreation planner for the Forest Service.
Both campgrounds are operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation, under contract with the Forest Service.
In 2012, for the months of July, August, and September, occupancy at the House Creek campground was 25 percent, 18 percent, and 2 percent, respectively. For the same year, McPhee campground saw 16 percent occupancy for July, 17 percent for August, and 18 percent for September.
Use at the House Creek campground dropped slightly in 2013, with House Creek seeing 17 percent in July, 14 percent in August, but rebounded in September from last year with a 10 percent occupancy.
Sagehen was a popular campsite because, at more normal water levels, it has convenient boat access. It is also open year-round, whereas House Creek is closed for the winter.
Another issue brought up is the potential need for boat inspections at sagehen to prevent cross-contamination in McPhee and its irrigation canals from invasive species like the zebra mussel that has caused problems at other reservoirs.
"It could be risky putting boats in there without inspection," Rice said. "The zebra mussel has not shown up at McPhee, but it is a priority reservoir for inspection because of its proximity to Arizona waters that are contaminated."
At their Monday, Dec. 23 meeting, the commissioners heard a proposal from Lloyd Powers, of Citizens for Sage Hen, to look into taking over the area from the forest service.
"Padilla did not seem to think the option was impossible," Powers said. "It would be a long process but it would give the county control of the campground and more stability into the future."
Recreation grants and volunteer camp hosts could help pay for and manage the campground if the county was successful in acquiring the former campground.
"It was a problem out there, and I think that needs to be recognized, but with proper management I think it can be re-opened responsibly," said commissioner Keenan Ertel.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com