Two individuals accused of illegally constructing mountain bike trails in Mt. Mansfield State Forest in Stowe, Vermont, have settled with the Vermont Attorney General over the allegations, agreeing to pay $35,000 in timber trespass damages and to remove any remaining constructed features associated with the trails.
According to a press release from the state Attorney General, an investigation by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources revealed that between 2016 and 2021, Cyril Brunner and Aaron Rice unlawfully cut approximately 327 trees to the ground and permanently altered rocks with drilling holes to anchor wooden trail crossings in the state forest.
The bike trail consisted of two loops of approximately 8,000 feet of length.
“Vermont’s state forests are a treasured resource. Protecting these public lands and ensuring their long-term stewardship with sustainable forest management is critical for the benefit of current and future generations of Vermonters and for the preservation of our natural world.” – Attorney General Charity Clark
Mt. Mansfield State Forest consists of 44,444 acres of terrain, spreading into seven towns across three counties. The area is named for the Forest and the state’s tallest peak, Mt. Mansfield, which reaches up to 4,393 feet. The State Forest is home to both Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and already features a network of mountain bike trails.