Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Opinion & Editorial

by Dave Bull, Supervisor, Bitterroot National Forest

Motorized vehicles are a fun and exciting way to experience the national forest. Here in the Bitterroot, over the past several years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the popularity of all terrain vehicles (ATVs). To ensure that ATV and other motorized uses on the Bitterroot National Forest are sustainable, we are initiating a review of motorized recreation opportunities. This review will evaluate where motorized recreation is appropriate, sustainable and desirable on lands within the Bitterroot National Forest.

Given the increase in popularity and the technological advances being made in motorized recreation, we need to take time today to make conscious choices regarding where we want motorized access and where, either for social or biological reasons, motorized access is not appropriate. I need you to be a part of these choices.

Last fall, the Bitterroot NF released a "Travel Management Planning Proposed Action." We are inviting public comments on the proposed changes to summer and winter motorized recreational use within the non-wilderness portion of the Forest through January 31st. The ideas outlined in the Proposed Action were generated largely by conversations we have had with the public over the course of the past few years. It is critical to note that these ideas are simply a starting point for discussions; no management decisions have been made. And, in fact, no decisions are planned until late 2009.

We will evaluate the comments, concerns and suggestions we receive from the public's review of the Proposed Action and combine those with our professional staff's evaluation of motorized access needs and impacts. This will be documented in a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be released during the summer of 2008. We will again invite public review and comments on that draft EIS, and consider your additional ideas as we finalize the Environmental Impact Statement and prepare a Record of Decision which I expect to release in the fall of 2009.

I realize this review has the potential to generate a great deal of conflict in the next few years. I understand that these decisions will affect motorized users more than any other group. However, by not having these discussions now and reaching some decisions that can be clearly described, we invite even more conflict between users and risk greater resource impacts.

I recognize how important the opportunity to visit and enjoy the Bitterroot National Forest is for all types of recreational users. You deserve to have a clear understanding and realistic expectations of where you can go to enjoy the type of experience you want. And, I believe with a bit of give and take from all interests, we can generate a travel management policy that will ensure fun, safe, and diverse recreation experiences for nearly everyone on the Bitterroot National Forest.

We are planning a series of public meetings over the course of the next two weeks to 1) ensure you understand the concepts outlined in the Proposed Action, and 2) to listen to your concerns and suggestions. These meetings will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Darby Clubhouse in Darby on Wednesday, January 9th; the Methodist Church in Stevensville on Thursday, January 10th; and the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton on Tuesday, January 15th.

To give our planning process the greatest chance for success, I need your help. I ask that you:

--Respectively listen to, as well as, share opinions. You will undoubtedly hear others express opinions that mirror your own just as you will hear ideas and opinions that challenge some of your fundamental beliefs.

--Expect, and participate in, some give and take and the design of compromises.

--Don't purposefully inflame emotions or spread rumors about the planning process.

If you cannot attend one of these meetings, please call or write one of our Ranger District offices or the Supervisor's Office with your comments.

Working together, I am confident we can come up with a new travel management policy for the Bitterroot NF that will provide quality motorized and non-motorized recreation experiences while protecting natural resources and clarify where motor vehicle use is appropriate on the Bitterroot National Forest.

Thanks for your help on this project. I look forward to hearing from you.

Science is the key

Dear Editor,

Ten years ago this month a kind and gentle old man sacrificed his life to defend family, friends and coworkers against environmental extremists. Misunderstanding environmental science, the extremists thought they were doing a fine thing in causing the death. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho environmental authorities were also unskilled in the sciences and refused to defend the victim against complex charges and dangerous environmental vandalism. After the death, authorities found themselves embarrassed and records disappeared mysteriously.

The December First Society was created to encourage people in the sciences. We want to end environmental extremism. Thousands of innocent people have died because of such crimes. We do not seek retribution or punishment. We only want to end death, vandalism, threats and spurious lawsuits. There is no reason for blind fear of the planet's chemicals. Our view is that everyone is responsible to understand chemical persistence and to know that all things have chemical nature. We believe that environmental authorities are charted with the task of helping people with environmental issues and must never encourage criminals or tolerate extremism.

With science, we can be friends again.

John H (Jack) Wiegman, President
The December First Society

Thanks from Genesis House

Dear Editor,

Once again Genesis House is pleased to greet you with our annual message. We are completing another successful year of helping ladies transition into the "real" world. Some of our guests have spent many years in institutions and now need help learning to shop, to plan meals, to cook and clean, as well as many other everyday tasks.

Your donations have allowed us to complete the installation of storm windows and give our kitchen a much needed facelift. We have taken our ladies for some outings, an ice cream cone, a picnic, an occasional movie, the county fair and a local theater production or two. These events provide opportunities for community socialization, a necessary part of preparing our clients to live on their own. Thanks for your help.

Joy was ours when we were able to raise wages for our entire staff. This will save the high cost of training new hires and provide us with continuity of staff to oversee our clients as they work towards their goal of independent living. As you are aware, retention of good employees is essential to any successful endeavor.

Our thanks go to our supporters who keep us in their hearts and prayers.

Genesis House Board of Directors, Staff and Residents
Donna Thompson, Program Director

Highway safety issue with gravel mine proposal

Dear Editor,

Re: JTL Group-Lolo Pond Site and Opencut Gravel Mining permit

Open Letter to MDT Director Jim Lynch:

As you may be aware there was a public comment meeting held in Lolo Montana on the proposed Open cut Gravel Mining permit operation. This was organized by the Lolo Community Council.

As I understand the process for a project like this and as part of your agency goals and objectives: your department is required to look at the public safety aspect of this project in regards specifically to highway traffic safety.

In addition: your department was not represented at this meeting. Therefore I would like to express my concern directly to you as the Director of the MDT.

My concern simply stated, is for highway traffic safety with egress and ingress being used by large trucks in this area on highway 93. In public testimony there were comments of the history of this section on 93 with accidents and fatalities. In addition as stated in testimony the fact that it is a 4-lane with a 70mph limit, and a small degree incline exacerbates the problem.

Specifically I am requesting this information be in your report, including mitigation of impact on highway safety, and I would request a report of the number of fatalities over the last 10 years in this area.

In summary, the Lolo Council has concerns about the safety of traffic in that area. Would like to see your report, and would request that a DOT representative be present at the next Lolo Council Community meeting, which is normally scheduled the second Tuesday of each month. If that does not work I am sure the council would change the date to fit your schedule. The council chairperson is Sue Hadnot at 273-6979.

Rep. Bill Nooney, District 100
Montana House of Representatives

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