Backyard Survival By Marilyn Olsen Off-road excess hits the Gallatins

Republican Denny Rehberg is Montana’s lone representative to Congress. He recently came down on the side of off-road vehicle users opposed to the preferred alternative in the Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This alternative restricts motorized off-road use in some previously used areas. The reason given by the Forest Service for the reduction is heavy impact on the resource. This is a small step in the right direction. The Forest Service created the heavy impacts by allowing the off-road use in the first place. There is no reason for wheeled vehicles off-road on public lands.

When public lands were established, off-road high impact machines were not yet invented. Soil erosion and compaction, dust, noise and water pollution, vegetation destruction, increased hunting and poaching pressure, noxious weed dispersal, wildlife harassment and habitat fragmentation caused by these machines were unforeseen. Disruption of the experience sought by hunters, horseback riders, hikers, backpackers, fishers, skiers, birders and wildlife viewers renders motorized use areas single use, not multiple use as the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act (1960) directs. Homeowners near motorized use trailheads are also heavily impacted.

Not everyplace is suitable for motorized use. Would you agree that beaches, wetlands, lakesides, riversides and streamsides are unsuitable? Or sacred sites or archaeological finds? Or critical areas for sensitive, threatened or endangered or big game species? Or roadless areas, Wilderness Study Areas or other lands with wilderness potential? Keep in mind only 2 1/2% of the lower 48 states is designated wilderness. Where is motorized use appropriate? National forests have over 400,000 miles of taxpayer built mostly dirt roads. That’s 9 times the length of the U.S. interstate highway system or 16 times the circumference of the Earth. Is this reasonable access for all terrain vehicle and motorcycle users? Apparently not! They want to be on trails with other users and/or have trails designated for motorized use only.

Rehberg has asked for and gotten an extension from the Forest Service on the public comment period for the Travel Plan so the motorized use crowd would have more time to get their comments in. (Does it take them longer to write comments than the average citizen?) Rehberg also wants to transfer decision making for the travel plan from the Forest Service, the agency responsible for and most familiar with its care, to Congress. (Just in case his stall for time so motorized users can get their act together doesn’t work.) Rehberg does not represent all Montanans in Congress, he represents special interests. By promoting motorized use of the Gallatin National Forest to Congress he ignores the broader economic diversity attracted to our state’s landscape, wildlife and recreational culture.

The sad part is that the Gallatin National Forest (contiguous with Yellowstone) belongs to all the citizens of this country. Just as I enjoy the use of public lands on the forests of the Boundary Waters, Denali, the Everglades or the Grand Canyon, so too, do folks from other states enjoy the use of forests near my home town. This is not a local issue. Since 75 percent of U.S. citizens are in favor of protecting the environment, shouldn’t a less provincial effort be made when deciding desired conditions on a national forest?

If you have not already done so, please comment on the GNF Travel Plan. If you have commented already you can add to your comments any time until the extended deadline of August 1. Motorized users aren’t the only user group capable of organizing. Don’t feel intimidated, this is your privilege and responsibility. Remember, further reducing motorized use is another option. Consider enlisting your friends and relatives in other states to comment and/or contact their Congressional representative(s) regarding this national forest. Comment at:mailroom_rl_gallatin@fs.fed.us or Gallatin N.F., P.O. Box 130, Bozeman, Montana 59771.Thank you and be wild.

Marilyn Olsen is a backcountry outfitter in the Gallatins, and Lowbagger has witnessed this woman thwart many a public land misuse with mass comments.