Blog Archives for Montana

By Adam Rissien - July 16, 2010   

By Adam Rissien - June 24, 2010    Today the Missoulian reported on damage caused by illegal motorcyclists in an area that the Montana Conservation Corps just finished rehabilitating. I was going post my two cents on this typical behavior, but in reading through the comments, I saw a response that pretty much sums it up: The_Boneshackler said on: June 24, 2010, 9:51 am

By Sarah Peters - June 11, 2010    On Saturday, June 5, two road blowouts from plugged culverts closed a popular route on the Custer National Forest outside of Red Lodge, Montana and dumped debris and sediment into the Main Fork of Rock Creek.  The road is closed indefinitely until repairs can be made.   

By Adam Rissien - May 20, 2010   The first round of public commenting closed this week on a proposal by the Lolo National Forest to create “The Route of the Olympian,” which would establish a new trail between Taft and St. Regis, Montana, on about 30 miles of the abandoned Milwaukee railroad grade. This new trail runs parallel to Interstate 90 and would connect with the existing Route of the Hiawatha bicycle trail to create a 47 mile world class attraction for cyclists.

By Adam Rissien - April 26, 2010   The Courthouse News Service reported today that snowmobilers filed yet another lawsuit, this time against the Gallatin National Forest for its plan to protect portions of the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Interestingly, the article explains, “Snowmobilers and environmentalists have filed at least nine lawsuits in the past 3 years over snowmobiles in Montana and Wyoming. The snowmobilers are somewhat more sue-happy, with six of these to their count.”

By Adam Rissien - April 21, 2010    A recent article on an MSU elk study focused on how hunters, not wolves, have the bigger impact on this popular game animal, and while this is undoubtedly true, not all hunters are the same. For those who park their vehicles and hike in, the impacts are much different than those who use off-road vehicles for access. 

By Adam Rissien - April 9, 2010    This week the Gallatin National Forest issued an interim summer travel management plan that protects more of the 155,000-acre Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn wilderness study area (WSA). The new plan was necessary since Judge Molloy ruled last year that the agency’s travel plan violated the Montana Wilderness Study Act by designating trails for motorcycles and mountain bikes, and areas for snowmobile use in a manner that reduced the WSA’s wilderness character.   

By Adam Rissien - March 12, 2010   Today Judge Haddon ruled in favor of motorized groups that challenged the Little Belt Travel Plan on the Lewis & Clark National Forest. While this may seem like a successful challenge by the ORVers, Judge Haddon got the facts wrong and ignored briefs from the defendants making it likely that even conservative judges on the 9th Circuit would overturn the decision.

By Adam Rissien - February 19, 2010    Today we joined with the Pryors Coalition in challenging the Custer National Forest's Beartooth Travel Plan. In the Pryor Mountains, the Forest Service designated 124 miles (99%) of roads and trails for motorized use, and less than one and a half miles (1%) for those who rely on a quiet setting to enjoy traditional Montana activities.  There are eight designated motorized routes up the south and west slopes of Big Pryor Mountain and no quiet trails.

By Adam Rissien - February 2, 2010    The Ravalli Republic ran a story about how a four wheeler drove around gates closing the Forest Service roads to motor vehicles in the Como Lake area on the Bitterroot National Forest.