Backcountry enthusiasts, please find the latest important information on backcountry access and osv usage and designations from our coordinator, John Latta, below. We urge you to comment within the next 45 days on this important issue. Balance in the Stephens Peak backcountry is of local concern but this affects all forest service areas we play in.
From John:
Hello Friends,
This week the Forest Service released a draft rule outlining how National Forests, including the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests, should manage winter motorized travel. This is an opportunity to bring balance to the backcountry, address user conflict and minimize resource damage on our National Forests. But, the Forest Service mostly missed the point with their proposed rule.
The draft says each national forest must designate appropriate trails and areas for winter motorized use, but does little to promote consistency across seasons or different National Forests.
Now it's up to you to tell the Forest Service how to improve their proposed rule and finally bring balance to the backcountry. As someone who loves the backcountry, it's essential that the Forest Service hears your voice - will you weigh in now (here https://winterwildlands.org/take-action/) ?
The Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance is proud to be a partner with Winter Wildlands Alliance, the nation’s leading voice for human-powered winter recreation. You can find much more information about this draft rule on their website (https://winterwildlands.org/take-action/) and they've provided everything you need to comment.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape Forest Service policy. We don’t have a lot of time – only 45 days – but it’s critical that the Forest Service hear from the ski and snowshoe community. A strong rule today means balanced management of winter recreation tomorrow.
Personal comments from people who regularly use public lands are proven to make the biggest difference to decision-makers — so please take 10 minutes to weigh in (here: https://winterwildlands.org/take-action) on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to impact how the backcountry is managed.
Thanks,
John Latta
Coordinator, Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance
P.S.We know “winter travel management planning” and “draft rules” seem distant and unrelated to your daily life but this really is a huge opportunity for you to influence the way the Forest Service manages winter recreation — and your backcountry experience. Comment today (here: https://winterwildlands.org/take-action) to make a difference on your public lands!
From John:
Hello Friends,
This week the Forest Service released a draft rule outlining how National Forests, including the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests, should manage winter motorized travel. This is an opportunity to bring balance to the backcountry, address user conflict and minimize resource damage on our National Forests. But, the Forest Service mostly missed the point with their proposed rule.
The draft says each national forest must designate appropriate trails and areas for winter motorized use, but does little to promote consistency across seasons or different National Forests.
Now it's up to you to tell the Forest Service how to improve their proposed rule and finally bring balance to the backcountry. As someone who loves the backcountry, it's essential that the Forest Service hears your voice - will you weigh in now (here https://winterwildlands.org/take-action/) ?
The Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance is proud to be a partner with Winter Wildlands Alliance, the nation’s leading voice for human-powered winter recreation. You can find much more information about this draft rule on their website (https://winterwildlands.org/take-action/) and they've provided everything you need to comment.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape Forest Service policy. We don’t have a lot of time – only 45 days – but it’s critical that the Forest Service hear from the ski and snowshoe community. A strong rule today means balanced management of winter recreation tomorrow.
Personal comments from people who regularly use public lands are proven to make the biggest difference to decision-makers — so please take 10 minutes to weigh in (here: https://winterwildlands.org/take-action) on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to impact how the backcountry is managed.
Thanks,
John Latta
Coordinator, Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance
P.S.We know “winter travel management planning” and “draft rules” seem distant and unrelated to your daily life but this really is a huge opportunity for you to influence the way the Forest Service manages winter recreation — and your backcountry experience. Comment today (here: https://winterwildlands.org/take-action) to make a difference on your public lands!
