Bitterroot National Forest 2008 Monitoring Results

As part of the Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition (BQUC), Wildlands CPR created an end-of-year presentation highlighting our findings, while also providing a full report available for download. To see the presentation simply follow this link to our resources page: BQUC 2008 Monitoring Presentation.

In summary, this past season Wildlands CPR helped coordinate monitoring efforts on 47 trails and areas, with a wide range of findings. Many priority trails in Inventoried Roadless Areas did not show evidence of use, which undercuts ORV proponents' assertions that they need these trails to accommodate demand; our findings show many of these open trails are not being used.

Unfortunately, we did find ORV impacts on other trails in Roadless Areas and in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area. We recorded evidence of illegal use, and documented impacts on open trails. It is important to keep in mind that most of the Roadless Areas and the Sapphire WSA is currently available for motorized users. While the agency certainly needs to address illegal riding, it is important to remember that regular and legal ORV use causes significant impacts. We documented trail erosion and widening, along with areas completely denuded of vegetation.

We will continue to press for better protections in the ongoing travel planning process, and use our findings to support these efforts.