Facilitating Physical Access also Extends the Snowmobiing Season, Resulting in Harm to Wildlife Security, Vegetation, Soils and Water

endless-winter.pdf

Citizen monitoring over the past decade has reported snowmobile use along the northern Swan Crest of the Flathead National Forest as late as July and as early as November. This use contradicts current Forest Plan standards intended to prohibit snowmobile travel April 1 - November 30 for protection of grizzly bear security, and April 1 - July 1 for protection of soils, watersheds, and spring wildlife needs including elk calving.

The photos in this report demonstrate snowmobiles are operating on backcountry areas free of snow, causing disruption of wildlife security and significant damage to vegetation and soils, if not water quality and fish. Unauthorized trails and bridges are shown to contribute to an inappropriate extension of the snowmobile season and consequent damage to resources. The photos provide clear evidence efforts to facilitate snowmobile access by leaving culverts, bridges or benched areas in decommissioned roads will lead directly to increased difficulty in enforcing seasonal use restrictions and cause harm to wildlife security, soils, water quality, and fish.