Helena National Forest - Toss Out OHV Folks the Last Ones Were Too Delicious

The Lyin King

Public Lands Advocate
Feb 7, 2009
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BLUERIBBON COALITION LAND USE UPDATE!

Helena National Forest Seeks Public Comment on Blackfoot Travel Plan Proposed Action

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

The Helena National Forest is proposing changes to its existing system of non-winter motorized public access routes within the non-Wilderness lands of the Lincoln Ranger District. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments on this proposed action by November 30, 2010.

The Blackfoot Travel Plan project area includes about 321,500 acres of National Forest System lands in Lewis & Clark and Powell counties. In general, Blackfoot Travel Plan proposed actions include the following: physically closing, storing, decommissioning, relocating or constructing some roads and trails; change seasonal restrictions on certain roads and trails; closure of various user-created trails; changing the vehicle class authorized on certain roads and trails; designating certain roads and trails for non-motorized use; and constructing new mountain bike trails.

All proposed actions within the Blackfoot Travel Plan will comply with the requirements to provide secure habitat for Grizzly Bears. On the Lincoln Ranger District, the entire area north of Highway 200 is within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear recovery zone. Certain roads will be "stored" and self-maintained in a non-use status for up to 20 years, which will help provide effective closures and secure habitat for Grizzly Bears, as required in NCDE recovery zones.

Originally initiated in 2003, the Blackfoot Travel Plan was revised after the Forest Service issued new travel planning regulations in 2005. These new regulations changed the scope of the 2003 travel plan and emphasized community and public collaboration in developing a new travel plan proposed action.

All areas open to motor vehicles are required to be designated on a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the public. The MVUM is published once the final decision is made and implementation of the plan begins.

Members of the public have until November 30, 2010 to submit their comments to the Lincoln Ranger District.

Comments can be submitted via email to [email protected] (please write "Blackfoot Travel Plan" in the subject line of the email message), or by regular mail to: Lincoln Ranger District, 1569 Hwy 200, Lincoln, MT 59639. Please be as specific as possible with the comments.

Staff members will be available to answer questions or provide more information to the public about the Blackfoot Travel Plan on November 18 and 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Ranger District office.

In the meantime, for additional information people can visit website at Helena National Forest - Welcome! (click on "Projects and Plans" in the left column) or contact the Lincoln Ranger District office at 406-362-7000.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Thanks in advance for your support,

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
 

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