Stevens Peak Backcountry meeting

[idsnowghost]

Come learn how you can help protect backcountry ski opportunities in the Stevens Peak Backcountry:

For several years, organizations representing backcountry skiers in the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and western Montana have been working with local snowmobilers and the Idaho State Snowmobile Association to reach an agreement about how to share the Stevens Peak Backcountry. They're hosting a meeting at Lookout Pass Ski Area starting at 2pm (PST) on January 14 to present this agreement to the broader backcountry community and solicit support. The Forest Service will be present to answer questions about their role in managing this area as well. All welcome!

Attached is a map of the proposed non-motorized area (full size in PDF):

 

[oldguy]

Hey mike just wondering if you could do an online sign up of support for this since a lot of us may not be able to come.

 

[teledance]

Planning on going.

 

[idsnowghost]

Here's the meeting agenda:

Lookout Pass Backcountry Area – Stakeholder Meeting

Monday, January 14, 2019 2:00 Pacific Standard Time @ Lookout Pass Ski Area Rental/Repair Shop

Agenda

• Introductions
• Background
  • History of skier/snowmobiler agreement in the Stevens Peak backcountry
  • Lookout Pass Ski Area expansion and objections
  • April 2017 meeting and subsequent agreement for Stevens Peak Backcountry Area

• Moving forward with the 2017 Agreement
  • Thoughts from those present at this meeting
  • Implementation – signs, maps, other education

 

[idsnowghost]

Hey mike just wondering if you could do an online sign up of support for this since a lot of us may not be able to come.

If you want to post here or even make a separate thread of "supporters" I'd be happy to print it out and bring it. Perhaps we can get something more formal for any future meetings.

 

[idsnowghost]

Reminder: meeting is today at 2pm, Lookout Pass Repair Shop.

FS probably won't be there because of shutdown, but should still be able to get through everything.

 

[oldguy]

Was hoping to go but doesn't look like it now. I am all for supporting the Stevens Peak Backcountry area. I have a lot of great memories up there touring with friends and family over the last 40 years. It would be great to preserve an area with out motorized vehicles for future generations.

 

[idsnowghost]

Meeting mostly followed the agenda above.

About 25 or so attended, with representation from all the stakeholders/user groups. A majority of the meeting was an open discussion about the snowmobile and ski trails up St Regis Basin, Lookout's expansion and formalizing the agreement to split skier/motorized traffic for travel up the basin. The next step is putting more (and "friendlier") signage up and putting out a clear ruleset (Mountaineers Foundation offered funds, ID/MT snowmobile clubs and Lookout may contribute also). Didn't really finalize plans without FS participation (gov't shutdown) but are in a good place heading into the next meeting with them. It was good to see @lec4 and @teledance at the meeting among others!

I'll keep everyone updated on future meetings, in the meantime it would be a good idea to familiarize yourselves with the maps and agreements created thus far.

 

[PowderPanda]

Thank you for the update @idsnowghost