The final wilderness designation released last week by the Green Mountain National Forest angered a lot of people such as all-terrain vehicle riders who feel the plan doesn’t include enough access to off-road trails. But the plan also got a thumbs-down from environmental groups who say more forest land should have been declared off-limits to the likes of ATV’s and timber interests.
Gina Owens is acting forest supervisor for the Green Mountain National Forest. She spoke with Mitch Wertlieb about these criticisms and explained first why the final plan included an increase of 10,000 protected acres over the amount featured in a draft plan released last year.