Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, contacted Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell urging the Forest Service to quickly draft another travel plan for Gallatin National Forest that takes into account all historical data regarding motorized vehicle use. Because it was missing critical, but readily available information, the latest plan was rejected by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The interim plan currently in effect severely restricts the use of snowmobiles in Gallatin Forest. The snowmobile industry is responsible for more than 20 million dollars in economic activity every winter in the Gallatin Forest.
“Government bungling by the Obama Administration is costing jobs and creating lasting economic damage to the people living around Gallatin National Forest,” said Rehberg. “These public lands are meant for public enjoyment, and as another winter passes without an adequate use plan, the public is being closed out of their land.”
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ruling that the Forest Service’s Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan did not comply with the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977, justifying its decision in part by stating that there was no historical use data
available. Rehberg pointed out in his letter that ample historical evidence exists and needs to be included in the review of the current plan.
Opponents to the plan are trying to further restrict public access, causing greater economic damage to the surrounding communities.
Rehberg’s full letter is below:
Dear Mr. Tidwell:
I’m writing on behalf of my constituents who have raised concerns regarding the Gallatin Forest Travel Plan. As you know, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ruling that the Forest Service’s Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan did not
comply with the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977. It was the court’s opinion that the plan “improperly ignores the impact of increased volume of motorized and mechanized use on current users’ ability to seek quiet and solitude in the study area.” When defending its decision not to include historical use data, the Forest Service claimed that it was a non-factor because there wasn’t any historical use data available.
It’s my understanding that during the comment period for the travel plan a substantial amount of historic use evidence including signed letters, pictures, a log sheet created by a FS employee, and an advertisement from the Forest Service to encourage people
to come to the WSA to snowmobile. Unfortunately, none of this important evidence was used by your agency during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Since the travel plan has been held up by the courts, the Gallatin Forest has had to revert back to a backup winter use plan that is extremely restrictive to snowmobile use. Meanwhile, the local economies around the forest are suffering due to the restrictions. Snowmobiles in the Gallatin National Forest alone bring in over 20 million dollars of economic activity every winter, and this positive impact is critical to the health of the entire community.
I urge you to draft another Travel Plan that includes all historical use data that is submitted during the comment period. We need a solution that works for the folks who live and work in and around the Gallatin National Forest. Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.