Snowmobilers speak out on forest plan

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Groups opposed to closing a portion of the Scotchman Peaks to snowmobiles held community rallies concerning a proposed management plan for the region's national forests.

More than 150 people attended the rallies, including Thursday at Troy High School and Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Libby.

Lincoln County Recreation Groups sponsored the rallies. The groups include Troy Snowmobile Club, and Lincoln County Snow-Kats and Kootenai Ridge Riders ATV Club, both in Libby.

Forest Service officials in May outlined the draft of a plan to guide management decisions for the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle national forests for the next 15 years. The public has until Sept. 9 to provide written comments about the plan

Donna O'Neil, president of the Lincoln County Snow-Kats, said the proposal calls for not allowing snowmobiles in portions of the 88,000-acre Scotchman Peaks area in Idaho and Montana that are part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The area is currently open.

"This area is a very vital piece of traditional riding," O'Neil said. "We plan to battle to keep it open."

Paul Bradford, the new supervisor for the Kootenai National Forest, noted that no final decision on the forest plan has been made.

We're in a proposed forest plan mode," Bradford said. "There will be a final (decision) after the comment period, which closes on Sept. 9. It will be several months before we get it out."

During both rallies, those attending were asked to submit comments on the proposed plan before the deadline. Both snowmobile clubs also had forms outlining their wishes for motorized winter use in the forests, which people filled out and submitted.

The forest service considers all comments, Bradford said.

Jerry Wandler, president of Troy Snowmobile Club, said only those who submit written comments can voice concerns during the 30-day objection period that follows Sept. 9.

"If you don't make a comment, you cannot object. We wanted to make sure the public knew that," Wandler said.

He also noted Scotchman Peaks is an area of contention for snowmobile riders.

The current plan allows snowmobiles in the Scotchman Peaks overseen by Idaho Panhandle National Forest but not on the Montana portion that's part of the Kootenai National Forest. The proposed plan would flip-flop the two.

"There isn't some line in the snow that tells you that you are in one and then the other," Wandler said. "We want to maintain access. We've been in there for at least 20 years."

"It's an area we play in," O'Neil added. "We have groomed trails that go to a certain point and then we ride cross country. If it stays the way it is, it's like taking your boat to Thompson Lake, but you can't get in the water."