Please write a short email today to support the establishment of two non-motorized trails in the Lakeside-Blacktail area (there currently are none) - and to stop damaging motorized vehicles from using roads closed to protect elk and other forest resources (there are already over 130 miles of road open to motor vehicles)!
Your comments in 2009, along with those from Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, have convinced the Forest Service to not reopen closed roads in key elk security areas on the east and west slopes of Blacktail Mountain and in proposed non-motorized trail areas (as it would in its Alternative B). But it still wants to reopen to motorized vehicles 21 miles of road previously closed to protect wildlife, and to build steep connector trails similar to the one below between them (Alt. C)!
Swan View Coalition's comment letter was crafted to be consistent with MDFWP's recommendations for protection of elk and other resources.
Please support establishment of the Foys to Blacktail and Lakeside to Blacktail non-motorized trails and, if you agree with our letter, support the implementation of our proposed Alternative D!
Send your emails today, but certainly by March 22, to:
comments-northern-flathead-swan-lake@fs.fed.us
Be sure to include your name and mailing address so your email cannot be dismissed!
View our comment letter as a PDF.
You can view the Forest Service documents and maps at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=22659
Elk and other wildlife need your help to insure recreation is consistent with the protection of their, and your, habitat!
Please write a short note today, and Thanks!
March 6, 2012
Richard Kehr Swan Lake District Ranger 200 Ranger Station Road Bigfork, MT 59911
Dear Rich;
We appreciate the development of Alt. C in the Island Unit Trails Project, but we urge you to implement a new Alt. D, as described below:
1. We fully support the establishment of the 11.5 miles of Foys to Blacktail and Lakeside to Blacktail non-motorized trails - and the intent of Alternative C to not increase motorized opportunities in those areas (as Alt. B would).
2. The Island Unit needs more non-motorized trail but not more motorized roads and trails, given the area already has 10.3 miles of trail and 121 miles of roads open to motor vehicles - and no non-motorized trails whatsoever.
3. We appreciate that Alt. C does not reopen closed roads to motorized vehicles areas on the east and west slopes of Blacktail in key elk security areas (as Alt. B would) in order to continue providing elk security. However, we do not support Alt. C's reopening of 21 miles of roads elsewhere to motor vehicles because they also were previously closed to protect wildlife and other forest resources.
4. We do not necessarily object to Alt. C's dual designation of 18 miles of currently open road as OHV trails, provided they are adequately marked and managed to protect public safety and natural resources - and provided this indeed serves to reduce unlawful OHV use elsewhere in the Island Unit.
5. As a more balanced measure, we urge the Forest Service to develop and implement a new Alternative D, per the above, which would result in 11.5 miles of non-motorized trails and 28 miles of motorized trails without reopening closed roads or building new connectors between them. This remains generous to motorized vehicles compared to non-motorized uses, especially given 121 miles of road are currently and would remain open to motor vehicles.
Sincerely, Keith J. Hammer Chair
