AWSC Environmental Committee Monitoring Issues

The following are snippets from an article in the September 2004 issue of the Wisconsin Snowmobile News magazine written by Dave Nelson. It highlights some of the issues being monitored by the committee.
Thanks to the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs for this information.

"As usual, snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park was in the news. As the debate continues in two different courts whether snowmobiles should be allowed in the park, Congress again defeated an attempt by Russ Holt (D-NJ) to pass an amendment that would have banned snowmobiles in Yellowstone. Meanwhile, the Park Service is in the process of writing a new winter use plan that will allow snowmobiling in the park this winter."

"On July 7^th, the United States Forest Service (USFS) released a new policy for managing motorized off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the National Forests. Under the proposed rule, OHV's would be confined to designated roads, trails, and other areas. Use of other routes by OHV's would be prohibited. At the recommendation of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) when we met with USFS Chief Dale Bosworth and his staff during the ACSA Washington, D.C. Fly-in, snowmobile use would continue to be managed as it is currently and would not be affected by the new rule. The agency is accepting written comments. Comments can be emailed to tryman@fs.fed.us. The entire text of the proposed rule can be viewed at the USFS website."

"On July 12^th, the Bush Administration announced a new Roadless policy to replace the existing federal Roadless policy imposed during the closing months of the Clinton Administration. The Clinton rule, which has been tied up in endless litagation, would have locked away 58.5 million acres (including 69,000 acres in Wisconsin). The new rule allows the governor of any state to petition the USFS to develop a site-specific roadless rule for forest land in that state. This procedure would ensure ample community input in terms of what areas in their state should be declared roadless, thought the final decision would remain with the USFS. Comments can be emailed to statepetitionroadless@fs.fed.us. The entire text of the proposed rule can be viewed at the USFS website."

"The long awaited Forest Plan for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest was released on April 30^th. The final plan adds 46,000 acres of proposed wilderness and non-motorized areas. These new areas will affect 53.7 miles of existing snowmobile trails and calls for the closure of 710 miles of roads. We still have concerns with some of the details in the plan and are working with the Lakes States Resource Alliance in filing an appeal."