FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2007

Diverse Coalition Highlights Public Demand for conserving forest resources, quiet and public safety

“Quiet Users” concerned about off-road vehicle abuse of the Bitterroot National Forest

A coalition of Bitterroot hikers, horseback riders, homeowners, and conservationists are stepping up their calls on the Forest Service to secure opportunities for traditional recreation and to conserve fish and wildlife.

The Bitterroot National Forest proposed a “travel management plan” today. The Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition (www.quietusecoalition.org [1]) sees this planning process as an excellent opportunity for the forest to work with all types of recreationists and visitors to determine where various uses should occur. The coalition is pleased to read that the forest has clarified their objective for this plan: “to provide quality motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities while protecting natural resources.” The coalition has previously expressed concern that the forest was not giving full consideration to public demand for non-motorized recreation opportunities, protecting wildlife habitat, and conserving clean water.

“We believe that everyone can enjoy the Bitterroot National Forest through responsible recreation, but that no one has the right to abuse the forest or ruin other people’s experiences,” said Kathy Hundley, Selway-Pintler Wilderness Backcountry Horsemen.

“We all know that the Bitterroot Valley is growing and with growth comes change. The coalition formed to protect our quiet, natural places from growing crowds and noise,” she added.

The public is invited to submit written comments by Friday, November 23. The Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition will email periodic updates to folks who sign-up for "action alerts" on our website.

Illegal, high-impact off-road vehicle use on the Bitterroot is on the rise causing trail erosion, spreading weeds, stressing elk, and suffocating fish. In addition, the go-anywhere vehicles often disturb other visitors, kicking up dust, shattering natural quiet, polluting the air and water, and endangering hikers and stock.

“Everyone knows that it’s no fun to hike or horseback ride where off-road vehicles go,” said Adam Rissien of Wildlands CPR. “In essence, allowing off-road vehicles in a particular area largely precludes quiet uses and excellent fish and wildlife habitat. The Forest Service should deliberately plan for traditional access and activities, motorized recreation, quality habitat and clean water simultaneously.”

Currently, only about 14% of trails are protected from off-road vehicle use outside of official Wilderness lands.[1] At the same time, motorized recreation represents less than 3% of the use on the Bitterroot.[2] Even if all the trails on the Bitterroot National Forest were protected from noise and damage caused by ATVs and dirt bikes, there would still be over 2,250 miles of roads to ride.[3]

In meetings with Bitterroot National Forest leadership prior to today’s release of the forest’s proposal, the Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition has expressed the popular wish that the forest conserve natural resources, ensure the safety of all visitors and minimize damage and conflicts caused by unmanaged off-road vehicle use.

The coalition says the Bitterroot’s final plan should provide the following if it is to succeed:

• quiet recreation opportunities close to home where the din of motors does not ruin the peace and solitude that so many people seek
• motorized recreation limited to some portion of the 2,250 miles of roads on the Bitterroot, many of which provide winding solitude deep into the woods
• full maintenance of designated roads and trails
• sufficient monitoring, law enforcement and prosecution

The coalition invites individuals who share their love for the Bitterroot to join by visiting www.quietusecoalition.org [2]. The Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition is led by members of the Selway-Pintler Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen, Burnt Ridge Homeowners Association, Montana Wilderness Association, Friends of the Bitterroot, Wildlands CPR, and the Sierra Club. The missions and links to the websites of these organizations can be found at www.quietusecoalition.org [3].

Read about the proposed plan an comment

Documents and maps associated with the forest's proposed travel plan can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/projects/travel_mgmt.shtml [4].

For comments to be considered in the development of the draft environmental impact statement please submit your comments by November 23, 2007 to:

• Travel Management Planning Team, Stevensville Ranger District, 88 Main Street, Stevensville, MT 59870
• Or, email in MSWord or RTF format to comments-northern-bitterroot@fs.fed.us [5]
• Or, fax to (406) 777-7423

Here’s what members of the coalition have said recently about this issue:

Mary Allard, Burnt Ridge Homeowners Association

“Most of us live here because of the natural beauty and the peaceful quiet. Like many residents in the Bitterroot Valley, we have similar concerns and varied opinions about fires, drought, and county planning. However, one issue brought us all together when we formed the Burnt Ridge Homeowners Association in 2003.

“At that time the Forest Service proposed legalizing renegade off-road vehicle use in our backyards after years of enduring the noise and promises to stop the violations. The Forest Service in 1995 promised to close user-created ORV routes in the Hart Bench area. The illegal use continues to this day with no effective closures or law enforcement.”

Della Cothren, Burnt Ridge Homeowners Association and Backcountry Women

“I enjoy seeing wildlife while hiking and backpacking. The quiet sounds of the forest are not heard when off highway vehicles are revving their motors and coughing up plumes of smoke on a hiking trail.”

Bill Burgund, retired law enforcement officer

“Truly, I am really worried now when I go out for a hike,” Bill Burgund said. “I love living in Montana. I live here for the outdoors. I'm not going to quit going out because of what's happened.” [Referring to his experience of being run over by an ATV rider who raced around a curve in a road that had been closed to vehicles in order to protect wildlife habitat, an incident reported in the June 18 edition of the Missoulian].

Joe Hundley, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

"The Forest Service needs to recognize that the vast majority of people who visit our national forests go there to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Motorized recreation has its place, but that minority does not have the right to ruin the experiences of everyone else. For example, I can't tell you how many people have told me of stalking a bull elk or buck mule deer with bow and arrow, only to have the stalk spoiled by some inconsiderate rider."

Larry Campbell, Friends of the Bitterroot

“The lion’s share of our heritage of wildlife security habitat has been shredded by roads and motorized recreation; what little remains needs to be protected to keep what wildlife we have in healthy condition. Decisions being made right now by the Bitterroot National Forest will determine the future of wildlife health and availability of quiet recreation opportunities. The silent majority needs to speak up now in order not to be run over by the roar of off-road recreation.”

Kathy Hundley, Selway-Pintler Wilderness Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of Montana

“Most Back Country Horsemen have had a lifelong love affair with the back country and the horse has been our vehicle to enjoy it. Nature did its part in creating the beautiful mountains, pure water and serene spots that we treasure.

“Without responsible limits and effective management, the increasing numbers, speed, power and expanding range of OHV traffic directly threatens the traditional solitude and primitive character sought by back country horsemen. Now, more than ever, as the Forest Service drafts a Travel Management Plan, BCH members should focus on two key elements of their mission statement: to assist the agencies responsible for management of public lands; and to educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise and sustaining use of the back country.”