This court decision demonstrates that the Forest Service can and should protect the last vestiges o
This is good news. We have a Nat. Forest near us that we enjoy hikes and snow shoeing in. Of course snowmobiled want to take over all of the park. The Forest service can and should protect what is left of wilderness.
Judge Upholds Protections on Kootenai National Forest
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2017/10/24/judge-upholds-protections-kootenai-national-forest/
Snowmobilers sought to overturn motorized restrictions in proposed wilderness areas
By Tristan Scott // Oct 24, 2017
The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness in the Kootenai National Forest. Beacon File Photo
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A federal judge on Oct. 18 ruled against a group of snowmobilers and other interest groups seeking to challenge wilderness provisions in the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle national forest plans, upholding protections that restrict or limit motorized use.
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According to Ten Lakes attorney Paul Turcke, the Forest Service’s process for determining wilderness areas in its new plans was flawed, particularly as it named the Roderick and Scotchman Peaks areas as recommended wilderness subject to motorized restrictions.
Attorneys representing the conservation groups argued that snowmobilers already enjoy access to 86 percent of the Kootenai forest and 70 percent of the Idaho Panhandle.
Dave Hadden, director of Headwaters Montana, one of the environmental groups that intervened, commended the court’s decision.
“This court decision demonstrates that the Forest Service can and should protect the last vestiges of wilderness land on our national forest,” Hadden stated in a press release. “ The Kootenai and Panhandle forests are heavily devoted to timber and motorized recreation. This decision protects the small percentage of our wild country for wildlife and for people seeking a wilderness experience.”