Unexpected twist for the Hidden Gems: Environmentalists, motorized forest users explore compromise

ROARING FORK VALLEY REAL ESTATE, CARBONDALE — Relations between the granola heads and motor heads are thawing.After spending the last half of 2009 attacking one another, conservationists promoting the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign and an umbrella organization for forest users who oppose the plan are now exploring compromise.Representatives of Carbondale-based Wilderness Workshop and other environmental groups have been meeting with representatives of the White River Forest Alliance for about six weeks. Neither side is making promises.Even if it doesn't yield an agreement on a Wilderness proposal, the process has been valuable for building trust and opening communication, said Sloan Shoemaker, executive director of Wilderness Workshop and Jack Albright, vice president of the White River Forest Alliance.
By Scott Condon, Feb. 27, 2010 AT

Link to article