The Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition along with Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity submitted comments today on the proposed Bitterroot Travel Plan.

In our comments we asked the Forest Service to go back to the drawing board and create a comprehensive transportation and recreation plan that is more than just designating off-road vehicle use. We urged the Bitterroot National Forest to protect all Roadless lands and Wilderness Study Areas from motorized impacts as well as designing a proposed action that actually meets its own forest plan standards and identifies the minimum road system necessary to manage forest resources.

We also asked the agency to use the Travel Management Planning process to designate a road system that is both manageable and enforceable given the current and foreseeable budget constraints. Enforcement and monitoring are essential for maintaining a sustainable road and trail system which is why we suggested that the Forest Service create an Enforcement Strategy to accompany their final Travel Plan. This would ensure that law breakers are held responsible and that damaged routes are rehabilitated.

With over 1,500 miles of roads that could legitimately be used for motor vehicles, it is clear that the Bitterroot National Forest has the opportunity to use its road system to meet motorized recreational needs while keeping our trails free from the noise, dust and disturbance caused by motorized use.

See below to download our official comments.