Forest Proposal Slices the Heart of Traditional Winter Recreation

Agency to Allow Snowmobiles through Quiet Area
After First Attempt Rebuked by Legal Challenge

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Contact:
Wally MacFarlane: (435)512-0966
Sally Ferguson: (208)386-9227

Logan (UT) – A controversial proposal to allow snowmobiles in a traditional non-motorized winter recreation area of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (WCNF), including a three-mile snowmobile connector trail, is again drawing fire from local recreation and conservation groups after it was beaten back by a legal challenge earlier this year.

The Logan Ranger District of the WCNF recently released what it called a "preliminary" environmental assessment (PEA) that proposes to allow snowmobiles into the Franklin Basin/Tony Grove winter recreation area. This area was officially closed to snowmobile use by the 2003 Forest Plan.

The Forest Service's "preferred alternative" is a plan developed by snowmobilers which would reduce by 55% an area originally designated for non-motorized winter recreation in the updated 2003 Forest Plan. The alternative also adds an over-the-snow snowmobile road through the remaining non-motorized area in order to connect the trailhead parking lots of the Franklin Basin and Tony Grove areas.

The Forest Service's preferred alternative is very similar to what the agency tried to implement in the summer of 2005 after it had already signed a record of decision (ROD) for its updated Forest Management Plan. The plan designated 9,500 acres as non-motorized winter recreation. But, after several alleged secret meetings with local snowmobile advocates, the FS attempted to rewrite the plan to include snowmobile use in the non-motorized areas, prompting a legal challenge by Nordic United, Bear River Watershed Council, and Winter Wildlands Alliance. In order to settle the legal challenge the Forest Service disavowed the 2005 changes and reaffirmed that the non-motorized boundaries set out in the 2003 Forest Plan remain in full force and effect.

The Forest Service again seeks to make changes to the 2003 boundaries. Like the 2005 changes that were disavowed as a result of litigation, this proposal fails to meet the public disclosure requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, according to Dan Miller, Executive Director for Bear River Watershed Council.

"It's like they never heard our concerns the first time around", said Kevin Kobe, Director for USU Campus Recreation. "Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our public lands, but one use shouldn't come at the expense of the peace and quiet enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts, which is what it really comes down too."

Wally MacFarlane, President of Nordic United, added, "The analysis in the PEA suggests that the Forest Supervisor and District Ranger have 'thrown in the towel' and caved in to pressure from the pro-snowmobile lobby and political appointees in Washington. Instead of carefully and systematically implementing the 2003 Forest Plan, which began to address of out of control motorized use, this proposal seeks to reverse the Plan and allow uncontrolled snowmobile use in the area carved out for quiet, backcountry skiing."

One proposed alternative would close the entire area to all winter use, a plan deemed "unprecedented" by Stuart Reynolds, who operates Powder Ridge Ski Touring Yurts in the proposed closure. "Closing it to everyone throughout the season is childish and cynical response by the Forest Supervisor and District Ranger.", said Reynolds. "I have a 10-year permit with the Logan Ranger District to run my business and they can’t simply say that permit is no longer valid."

Sally Ferguson of Winter Wildlands Alliance added, "At issue here is safety. A pedestrian use like skiing is incompatible with an aggressive motorized use like snowmobiling. The impacts between a group of skiers or snowshoers and someone driving a machine that puts out 100 decibels and goes 80 miles per hour are out of balance and it is incomprehensible why the Forest Service is proposing shared use in an area that the agency itself legally designated non-motorized. When almost seven million acres of national forest land in Utah is already open to snowmobiles, why is the Forest Service pushing so hard to put a snowmobile trail right through the only quality non-motorized recreation area in Franklin Basin? Why do they want to shut skiers and snowshoers out of this area?"

"There's no doubt that noisy snowmobiles affect both winter wildlife and the public's ability to enjoy it.", said Bryan Dixon, Conservation Chair for Bridgerland Audubon Society. "Disruption in winter causes species to use up precious resources, which can put individual animals at a disadvantage. The 2003 Forest Plan resulted from years of input and was a compromise between motorized and non-motorized uses. It's disingenuous and inappropriate for the Forest Service to undermine that plan and take away the protections achieved for so much of the public."

"Everyone has the responsibility to protect these special places for our families and future generations.", said Miller. "But as these snow machines get bigger, faster, louder and more numerous, they've pushed out more traditional non-motorized use on many areas of our public lands. While we all have the right to enjoy public lands, no one has the right to insult other people's peaceful winter experiences."

The Forest Service is taking comments on the PEA until October 29, 2006.

Submit written comments to Rob Cruz, Logan Ranger District, 1500 East Highway 89, Logan, UT 84321. Electronic comments must be submitted in rich text format or Word to .

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