U.S. Forest Service Seeks Comments on Proposed Snowmobile Rule

[KFhunter]

This one is scary


Imagine trying to run a trap line??


http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3805239

Release Date: Jun 19, 2014 
The U.S. Forest Service has published a Federal Register Notice seeking public comment on a proposal that would help standardize where and when over-snow vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are used on national forests and grasslands.
“Over-the-snow access and recreation is an appropriate use of public lands, and we strive to offer a variety of opportunities for that,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We believe it is essential that the public be engaged in decisions regarding travel management on the forests and grasslands, and we encourage the public to review the proposal and provide comments to help improve the final rule.”
Motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands is governed by the Travel Management Rule which provides for a system of roads, trails and areas that are designated for motor vehicles. Over-snow vehicles—vehicles designed for use over snow and that run on a track and/or a ski or skis—are currently treated differently from other motor vehicles by giving forest and grassland supervisors the discretion to develop a similar system for over-snow vehicles. In 2013, a federal court ruled that this violates Executive Order 11644, “Use of off-road vehicles on public lands.” The court ordered that the Forest Service must regulate over-snow use, but does have the discretion to determine where and when over-snow vehicle use can occur on agency lands.

[bigtex]

I think this one was a long time coming.

[KFhunter]

Are you in favor of it?


I'm worried they'll designate trails for snowmobile use, probably the same trails as ATV's; then we'll all be stuck riding the same trails.   


How would a guy make a trap line?

[washelkhunter]

Are you in favor of it?


I'm worried they'll designate trails for snowmobile use, probably the same trails as ATV's; then we'll all be stuck riding the same trails.   


How would a guy make a trap line?

You might have to break out the snowshoes or crosscountry skis.

[KFhunter]

Are you in favor of it?


I'm worried they'll designate trails for snowmobile use, probably the same trails as ATV's; then we'll all be stuck riding the same trails.   


How would a guy make a trap line?

You might have to break out the snowshoes or crosscountry skis.

I got some awesome snowshoes and use them every winter, but it's not reasonable run a long trap line on snowshoes when you have to check the traps every 24 hours.

[bearpaw]

Are you in favor of it?


I'm worried they'll designate trails for snowmobile use, probably the same trails as ATV's; then we'll all be stuck riding the same trails.   


How would a guy make a trap line?

You might have to break out the snowshoes or crosscountry skis.

I got some awesome snowshoes and use them every winter, but it's not reasonable run a long trap line on snowshoes when you have to check the traps every 24 hours.

   You simply cannot run a good trapline in deep snow in remote country if you cannot use a snow machine. I also wonder about all the commerce created by winter snowmobilers who come to areas like NE Washington to snowmobile, this is at risk as well!

[NOCK NOCK]

First, ATV's

Now, Snowmobiles

Watch out Motorcycles, your next.

Then 4x4 pickups

One by one we are all going to lose if we do not stand up for others interests.

[Special T]

Strange because Snow machines make NO impact on the dirt so it MUST be important to curtail thier use. 

[KFhunter]

Strange because Snow machines make NO impact on the dirt so it MUST be important to curtail thier use. 

yup - it's another backdoor attack on a vulnerable user group.


Let's say they want a big swath of land closed to snowmobile use due to endangered mountain lynx,  now it's simple - no designated snowmobile use trails in that mountain range plus the neighboring 3 drainages for good measure.

[NOCK NOCK]

I am an avid user of all toys, ATV, Snowmobile, Motorcycle. Sleds may not damage dirt, but, there is more to the FOREST than dirt just sayin

ALL user groups need to back each other or we will all end up losing.