Talking Travel Planning with Region 1

Wildlands CPR, with the help of the National Forest Foundation and Regional Forest Service social scientist Cynthia Manning, brought together conservationsists and local Forest Service officials from Montana and Idaho to discuss the travel planning process and ways to reduce conflict. Discussion in the morning focused on different steps in the process, and on specific terms or concepts; especially travel analysis. Later in the day, talk turned to addressing the inherent conflict often witnessed during travel planning public meetings.

While much of the discussion centered on the finer policy points, one message was clear: start the process early, identify the sideboards and provide as much ecological information as possible. Forest Service officials heard clearly that they cannot ask conservationists their opinion on specific routes unless the resource information is provided beforehand. In other words, travel planning is not about dividing up the recreation pie by asking two opposing sides which motorized routes they can agree on, but rather establishing a sustainable transportation system, which starts with accurate on-the-ground information.

Overall, the meeting helped clarify the travel planning process, and hear conservationists' concerns and expectations.