Bitterroot Forest releases Travel Plan Decision and Final EIS

By Michael Howell

 

Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King on Wednesday, May 11, announced the release of the Travel Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). It is the culmination of a Forest-wide planning process that delineates how motorized use will be managed on the 1.6 million acre Bitterroot National Forest. The process began back in 2007 and received a record 13,400 public comments. It is part of a nationwide effort by the Forest Service to address motorized recreation.

“Today’s decision is well crafted and incorporates public comments received throughout the entire process,” King stated. “This decision will provide quality recreation experiences for both motorized and non-motorized users, reduce conflicts, and protect the forest’s natural resources and wildlife.”

The new travel plan designates 2,246 miles of forest roads and trails open to motorized use, nearly the driving distance between Hamilton and New York City. It also permits motorized over-snow use (snowmobiles) on 543,840 acres, approximately one-third of the forest. These areas are designated on a new Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM) now available free of charge at all Bitterroot National Forest offices. The new maps identify which areas are open to motorized use, the types of vehicles allowed and any seasonal restrictions that apply.   “I urge all motorized users to obtain a free travel map from their local Forest Service office before going out so they know where they can ride,” said King. “Riders are responsible to know which routes are open.”

The MVUM and OSVUM provide limited geographic detail and should be used in combination with a Forest Visitor Map to more clearly locate and identify routes open to motorized travel. The single purpose of the travel maps is to show areas of the forest open to motor vehicles.

According to forest service officials, the travel plan decision:

• Permits motorized use on routes designated as open. This change is consistent with national direction and is a fundamental change from the current situation where travel is permitted except where specifically restricted.
• Prohibits motorized travel and mechanical transport, including bicycles in Wilderness Study Areas and areas recommended as wilderness by the 1987 Forest Plan.
• Permits motorized over-snow use (snowmobiles) on 543,840 acres.
• Designates 30 miles of new system routes (roads & trails) to the Forest’s travel map.
• Allows motorized access for dispersed camping within a 300-foot corridor of designated roads and trails.
• Proposes 10 miles of new trails, including connectors, open to vehicles 50” or less in width (ATVs).

Officials state that individuals who drive full-size vehicles will not notice much change from the current situation. Those who will experience the most change are bicyclists, snowmobilers, and summer motorized users who ride in recommended wilderness or in the Sapphire and Blue Joint WSAs. Following a court decision regarding motorized use in these areas, the decision prohibits motorized/mechanical transport, including bicycles and snowmobiles in WSAs. This includes the closure of Trail #39 (Chain of Lakes) to motorized use.

The WSAs on the Bitterroot National Forest are located on the West Fork, Darby, and Sula Districts and total approximately 102,000 acres. They were designated by Congress and created by the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 to be managed, “so as to maintain their existing wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness System.”

Although the Decision and Final EIS are complete, all of the work is not done yet. The Forest is currently working on finalizing the implementation strategy which includes signing, trail improvements, and education and enforcement efforts. Implementation is scheduled to begin this spring and last into the summer.

During this first season, motorized users may discover instances where the MVUM and OSVUM do not match the new Travel Plan or the maps are incorrect. BNF officials want to know where these situations occur so they can be corrected for next year. Forms to help record any errors are available at all Bitterroot NF offices. New travel maps will be printed annually to reflect these ongoing updates.

The ROD, FEIS, and accompanying maps are available electronically at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot. Copies are also available for review and on CD at all Bitterroot National Forest offices and at local libraries.

A broad coalition of groups including sportsmen and women, backcountry horsemen and women and conservationists issued a statement applauding the decision. United as the Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition they thanked the agency “for a balanced plan that protects natural resources,” saying that “it secures clean water, protects critical fish and wildlife habitat, and preserves quiet backcountry traditions while also balancing outdoor recreational experiences.”

“The travel plan is a victory for Montana sportsmen and women,” says Dave Stalling, western Montana field representative of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “The science is clear that secure habitat is vital for elk, deer, and other game species. We all understand that good hunting opportunity is dependent on a good travel plan.”

According to the coalition, the forest travel plan brings the Bitterroot National Forest into legal compliance with the Forest’s 1986 forest management plan, which recommended the expansion of the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Areas.

“What’s more,” says Kirk Thompson, Stevensville resident and volunteer with Montana Wilderness Association, “it lives up to the conservation vision of Stevensville native Senator Lee Metcalf, who safeguarded portions of the Bitterroot National Forest with passage of the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977.”

Backcountry horsemen and women and conservationists noted the plan’s emphasis on providing ample recreational opportunities for motorized users and mountain bikers while ensuring safety and preserving solitude for quite users of backcountry trails. The travel plan leaves 2,300 miles of trail open to ATVs, motorcycles, and mountain bikes, as well as more than a half of a million acres open to snowmobiles.

“This travel plan does an excellent job balancing recreational opportunities for all while ensuring solitude and safety on traditional foot and horse trails,” adds Kathy Hundley, Darby resident and member of Selway-Pintler Back Country Horsemen.

“We applaud Forest Supervisor King for coming up with a plan that minimizes conflict between winter user groups and, thus, improves the recreation experience for everyone involved,” adds Hilary Eisen, recreation planning and policy manager at Winter Wildlands Alliance. “This plan is a great step toward balance in the backcountry.”

Coalition members include representatives from Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, Selway-Pintler Back Country Horsemen, Montana Wildlife Federation, Winter Wildlands Alliance, Montana Wilderness Association, Missoula Back Country Horsemen, Upper Clark Fork Back Country Horsemen, and Defenders of Wildlife.

Not everyone is likely to be happy about the new plan however.

Both Ravalli County Off Road Users Association and the Bitterroot Ridgerunners have been actively involved in the Travel Management Process from the beginning as have Bitterroot Back Country Cyclists.

The use of motorized and mechanized vehicles will be prohibited in Recommended Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, and some Inventoried Roadless Areas; Approximately 286,000 of the 851,000 acres currently available to snowmobiles would be closed (34% reduction); Outside the area closures noted above, an additional 308 miles of roads and trails will be closed to motorized use.

Some bicyclists are likely to feel disgruntled, as well, about losing access to hundreds of miles of backcountry wilderness trails located in Recommended Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, and some Inventoried Roadless Areas as well. Those areas are, by law, to be preserved in the condition that they were in in 1977 until Congress acts on their status, either including them in wilderness or releasing them for other uses.