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The new proposals for the Rocky Mountain Front travel plan have received 98% approval for less motorized travel...
Heres the facts, read them and weap...another blow to the fat-assed ATV crowd...
Forest Service floats travel plan maps for Front district
By SONJA LEE
Tribune Staff Writer
The U.S. Forest Service is considering five options for differing levels of motorized and nonmotorized travel in the Rocky Mountain Front.
Released this week, the alternatives are part of a controversial, multiyear effort to update the travel plan for the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The plan was last updated in 1988.
Travel plans govern public access to national forest lands.
The five alternatives for the Front range from no motorized travel to looped trails that separate motorized travel from hikers and horseback riders.
The travel plan covers 392,000 acres of forest land in Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Teton and Pondera counties. It does not include designated wilderness areas.
The Forest Service on Monday released detailed maps of the alternatives, including summaries of their general features.
"We've provided a pretty good myriad of alternatives to be considered," said Rocky Mountain District Ranger Mike Muñoz.
Muñoz said he is pleased alternatives include opportunities for disabled hunters. In the fourth alternative, for example, motorized access for disabled hunters would be in areas of the Sun River and South Fork Teton.
Several people said they are thrilled to see a variety of options.
"There are some very good alternatives in there," said Roy Jacobs, a Choteau taxidermist and member of the Coalition to Protect the Front.
In 2002, the Forest Service released a different proposal for revising travel management in the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. It allowed motorized travel by motorcycles, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles in portions of the Front. The existing travel plan also allows motorized travel in areas.
Ehnes said he expects most of the new alternatives further restrict motorized uses.
"Historically, travel plans have decreased motorized options," he said.
The public is invited to check out the five new maps online. When the draft Environmental Impact Statement, a detailed analysis of the maps, is released in the coming months, there will be a formal public comment period, said Bonnie Dearing, public affairs officer for the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
"This is something new we are doing to keep the public informed," she said. "But this does not open a formal public comment period."
Dusty Crary, who ranches outside Choteau, said he intends to take a close look at the maps.
"One of the things I'll be looking for is to make sure there is no use where it hasn't already been," he said.
He also said he will check the areas that have experienced problems with motorized use.
The Forest Service examined fish habitat, wildlife, erosion and noxious weed management as it developed the proposals. All of the alternatives examine motorized travel necessary for law enforcement and fire management.
The third alternative is based on comments from the public, which asked that traditional foot and horse travel be maintained and motorized travel on trails be eliminated.
About 7,600 people commented on the initial proposal. And about 98 percent of the respondents from across the country urged the Forest Service to favor nonmotorized travel, like hiking and horseback riding, according to an analysis by the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front.
Under the third alternative, trails would be closed year round to motorized travel. Existing main access roads to trailheads, developed campgrounds and other facilities would be open to vehicles.
Jacobs said he supports the third option, or eliminating motorized use. The Rocky Mountain Front is a pristine area where traditional uses should be enjoyed.
The fifth alternative was developed after consultation with the Blackfeet tribal government.
It does not allow motorized vehicles on roads in the Badger-Two Medicine area. The Badger-Two Medicine is an important historical, cultural and religious site for the Blackfeet.
Snowmobiling also would be prohibited. The alternative provides for limited motorized recreation on a smaller system of trails in the southern two-thirds of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.
William "Allen" Talks About, Blackfeet Tribal Business Council chairman, said he favors a plan that keeps motorized travel out of the Badger-Two Medicine.
Lou Bruno of East Glacier said it is imperative to better protect the Badger-Two Medicine. People are abusing the land, and the current travel restrictions are not being enforced.
He said the alternatives are a step in the right direction, but a travel plan can't be overly complicated or it won't work.
"You've got to have ironclad options," he said.
Heres the facts, read them and weap...another blow to the fat-assed ATV crowd...
Forest Service floats travel plan maps for Front district
By SONJA LEE
Tribune Staff Writer
The U.S. Forest Service is considering five options for differing levels of motorized and nonmotorized travel in the Rocky Mountain Front.
Released this week, the alternatives are part of a controversial, multiyear effort to update the travel plan for the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The plan was last updated in 1988.
Travel plans govern public access to national forest lands.
The five alternatives for the Front range from no motorized travel to looped trails that separate motorized travel from hikers and horseback riders.
The travel plan covers 392,000 acres of forest land in Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Teton and Pondera counties. It does not include designated wilderness areas.
The Forest Service on Monday released detailed maps of the alternatives, including summaries of their general features.
"We've provided a pretty good myriad of alternatives to be considered," said Rocky Mountain District Ranger Mike Muñoz.
Muñoz said he is pleased alternatives include opportunities for disabled hunters. In the fourth alternative, for example, motorized access for disabled hunters would be in areas of the Sun River and South Fork Teton.
Several people said they are thrilled to see a variety of options.
"There are some very good alternatives in there," said Roy Jacobs, a Choteau taxidermist and member of the Coalition to Protect the Front.
In 2002, the Forest Service released a different proposal for revising travel management in the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. It allowed motorized travel by motorcycles, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles in portions of the Front. The existing travel plan also allows motorized travel in areas.
Ehnes said he expects most of the new alternatives further restrict motorized uses.
"Historically, travel plans have decreased motorized options," he said.
The public is invited to check out the five new maps online. When the draft Environmental Impact Statement, a detailed analysis of the maps, is released in the coming months, there will be a formal public comment period, said Bonnie Dearing, public affairs officer for the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
"This is something new we are doing to keep the public informed," she said. "But this does not open a formal public comment period."
Dusty Crary, who ranches outside Choteau, said he intends to take a close look at the maps.
"One of the things I'll be looking for is to make sure there is no use where it hasn't already been," he said.
He also said he will check the areas that have experienced problems with motorized use.
The Forest Service examined fish habitat, wildlife, erosion and noxious weed management as it developed the proposals. All of the alternatives examine motorized travel necessary for law enforcement and fire management.
The third alternative is based on comments from the public, which asked that traditional foot and horse travel be maintained and motorized travel on trails be eliminated.
About 7,600 people commented on the initial proposal. And about 98 percent of the respondents from across the country urged the Forest Service to favor nonmotorized travel, like hiking and horseback riding, according to an analysis by the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front.
Under the third alternative, trails would be closed year round to motorized travel. Existing main access roads to trailheads, developed campgrounds and other facilities would be open to vehicles.
Jacobs said he supports the third option, or eliminating motorized use. The Rocky Mountain Front is a pristine area where traditional uses should be enjoyed.
The fifth alternative was developed after consultation with the Blackfeet tribal government.
It does not allow motorized vehicles on roads in the Badger-Two Medicine area. The Badger-Two Medicine is an important historical, cultural and religious site for the Blackfeet.
Snowmobiling also would be prohibited. The alternative provides for limited motorized recreation on a smaller system of trails in the southern two-thirds of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.
William "Allen" Talks About, Blackfeet Tribal Business Council chairman, said he favors a plan that keeps motorized travel out of the Badger-Two Medicine.
Lou Bruno of East Glacier said it is imperative to better protect the Badger-Two Medicine. People are abusing the land, and the current travel restrictions are not being enforced.
He said the alternatives are a step in the right direction, but a travel plan can't be overly complicated or it won't work.
"You've got to have ironclad options," he said.
