Forest Service to reopen parts of Great Burn to snowmobilesFor the first time in more than a decade, snowmobilers and mountain bikers are on the cusp of regaining legal access to more than 40,000 acres of mountainous terrain known as the Great Burn. The change was announced Nov. 28 in the form of a draft record of decision for a new forest plan for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, which sits in Idaho along the border with Montana west of Missoula. The roughly 252,000-acre Great Burn region sits in both states but is mostly in Idaho, in the Nez Perce-Clearwater. Much of the area is roadless and recommended wilderness.
Read the full article here. Clearwater Forest Plan ReleaseThe Clearwater Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released this morning. It also included a draft Record of Decision (ROD) which is the first time I have seen them released together.
Here is the good news: The draft ROD will REOPEN THE HOODOO and WILLIAMS LAKE/BLACKLEAD MTN AREAS TO SNOWMOBILING!!!. The designated areas follow the mapping I provided at the onset of the planning process. Surveyor will remain closed to snowmobiling. There is also some provision for mtn biking trails. The Fish lake access trail will be open for summer motorized. Our work is not done yet. The wilderness folks are going to do everything in their playbook to try reverse the FEIS and draft ROD. Everyone who commented on the previous draft releases is qualified to comment. You should also receive a copy of these documents via email. I will release guidance on comments later but this is certainly not the time to "rest on your laurels". To be clear, the areas designated for snowmobile access will not officially reopen until the ROD is finalized. There could also be litigation from the wilderness folks. So while not a done deal yet, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. AWARENESS IS THE GREATEST AGENT FOR CHANGE Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area UpdateOn behalf of Citizens for Balanced Use
Forwarded Message Below ===== Biden’s 30x30 land grab update! It was only a matter of time before local land trusts were no longer in control of conservation easements and they became an asset of value. Landowners with their property encumbered with a conservation easement will begin seeing their development rights traded on the NY Stock exchange where national and international interests can invest in these resources and become the owner of these rights. The subservient landowner will now become the tenant under the control of the “Natural Asset Companies. On October 4th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a proposed rule to approve listing Natural Asset Companies (NACs) on the New York Stock Exchange. NACs are how elite investors would profit from the lands created by Biden’s 30x30 agenda as the permanent “protection” plan of at least 30 percent of the land and oceans by 2030. If this rule is approved, it will allow investors such as Blackrock, Bill Gates, and possibly China to hold the rights to the land, water, air, and natural processes of the properties enrolled in the NACs. Small land trusts have accumulated enough development rights over the years to make this transfer of property rights attractive to investors. NGO land trusts will simply enroll their development and resource rights into the NACs and obtain huge financial gain without the landowner even being aware. This land rights grab is alive and well in Montana where the USFWS is proposing a 5.8-million-acre Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area (MHCA) in SW Montana. Under the guise of obtaining Land and Water Conservation Funds for the purchase of additional Conservation Easements in the MHCA, the USFWS is really hoodwinking the public into believing there is no alternative agenda. Nothing could be further from the truth. The director of the USFWS is Martha Williams who has a long history of proposals removing people from the land. Her boss, Tracy Stone-Manning director of the BLM, was involved in a tree spiking incident to shut down the timber industry when she was with the Clark Fork Coalition. Her actions are well documented but she was never held accountable. David Allen with the USFWS claimed at a meeting I attended that this MHCA designation “will have NO effect on the allowed uses of public lands within the 5.8 million acres” but in his next statement he admits “the plan for this area has not been written.” So, which is it David? You claim NO effect but there is NO plan. We expect there will be additional restrictions placed on the use of these public lands and any surface disturbance activity will surely be challenged in court by environmental organizations based on the location being within this new Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area. And with millions of dollars coming from the LWCF to purchase conservation easements in the MHCA, more property owners will find themselves at the mercy of foreign investors gaining control of their property. There was overwhelming opposition to the MHCA at the 4 public meetings held by the USFWS but CBU knows this proposal is on track to be approved. This land grab plan has been in the works for years and only under the current Biden administration have the proponents found the support to move forward. The final plan is scheduled to be finalized in late 2024. How convenient! It is important for people to comment and take action! HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS Comments can be submitted in multiple ways: Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Ben Gilles, 922 Bootlegger Trail Great Falls, MT 59404 Call our Congressional delegation and urge them to defund Conservation Areas! Rescind the Land and Water Conservation Funds for this purpose! Defund every action the Biden Administration is using to implement 30x30. Representative Ryan Zinke (202) 225-5628 Representative Matt Rosendale (202) 225-3211 Senator Steve Daines (202) 224-2651 Senator Jon Tester (202) 224-2644 As of this morning: The House Pulled the Financial Services Appropriations Bill from Floor Debate The bill that was to include consideration of Representative Harriet Hageman's (R-WY) amendment to defund the "Natural Asset Companies (NAC)" proposed rule has been pulled from further debate on the House floor yesterday. This is likely because the House Majority did not have the votes to pass the appropriations bill. This means the bill will likely be renegotiated and at some point, brought up for a floor vote again. If you were following the proceedings yesterday, you would have seen that the floor skipped considering Amendment #62, which would have defunded the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) NAC proposed rule. What insiders tell us happened is the group of amendments before #62 were not offered as scheduled, reducing the Representative's 40-minute window to get to the floor down to one minute - an impossible task. But now that the bill has been pulled, we are hopeful that the NAC proposed rule amendment #62 can be added back for consideration in the coming days. The time is now to call Representatives Rosendale and Zinke to express how critical it is that this amendment #62 be passed to defund the Securities and Exchange Commission NAC proposed rule! Citizens for Balanced Use | P.O. Box 606, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 Silent Auction One Day Only Bidding-And come see us at Winter Knights!Bidding on this ride is silent auction only. Use the QR code to log in. bidding is ONE DAY ONLY, Nov 11 starting at 9:00 PST and closing at 5:00 PST. Or 10:00 MST-6:00 MST. This is a ride that can’t really be duplicated anywhere else for experienced mtn riders. It is high alpine, generally fairly open terrain. However, it would all be considered technical riding. It is off the radar as a destination spot so the chances of seeing other riders and/or tracks will be very low.
BSP will have a booth at the Winter Knights snowmobile show in Spokane on November 11, 2023. Spokane Fairgrounds. Doors open at 9:00. We will have awesome deals for that day only. 
‘Tis the season!
Klim shipments are coming in. Check our website www.sledpaytriots.com for great MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNTS.
Our line-up has expanded to offering many new upscale KLIM lifestyle apparel items for both men and women. All have BSP logo. We have continued offering the top of the line Klim Aspect 16 Avy Pac because of the included partial chest protector. All proceeds go 100% to keeping back country riding areas open. 
SW Montana targeted by USFWSThis land grab is not only about Biden's 30/30 land conservation aspiration. It seems quite a coincidence that USFWS wants to lock up 5.8 million acres, specifically in Montana, at the same time a Democrat Senator is running for re-election. A senator whose electoral base advocates closing access to motorized recreation and most industrial endeavors.
GET YOUR COMMENTS IN NOW!! ===== Repost from Citizens for Balanced Use ===== SW Montana targeted by USFWS USFWS has released the scoping document regarding their 5.8 million acre land grab in SW Montana. Follow the link below to comment and attend one or all of their public hearings. The USFWS, under the direction of Martha Williams, is proposing a 5.8 million acre conservation area in SW Montana. This new designation follows the President's agenda of conserving 30% of the nation's land by 2030. The Nature Conservancy and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership have coordinated with the USFWS to draft a plan to lock up 5.8 million acres. Who will be affected: o Agriculture – Grazing leases, fencing, livestock/cattle guards, weed management, predator management o Energy Development – Transmission corridors, renewables/oil & gas leases o Mineral/mining claims for exploration and development o Timber leases o Road/building easements o Water leases o Recreation activities (commercial hunting/fishing/outfitting/dog training, motorized use and access) There is no secret the environmental extremist have targeted resource industries in Montana and other states. These groups want to remove people from the land. Under the direction of Martha Williams with USFWS and Tracy Stone-manning with BLM, these agencies are coordinating with environmental groups to remove access to our resources and destroy agriculture. Read fox news article here: https://www.foxnews.com/.../biden-admin-quietly-consulted... Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent the following letter to the USFWS questioning this proposal. Thank you AG Knudsen for standing up for Montana. Read the AG letter here: Martha Williams Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 [email protected] Via Email and USPS Re: Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area Proposal Dear Director Williams: I write to voice serious concerns about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) “Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area” (MHCA) proposal announced today that seeks to transform nearly 5.8 million acres (over 9000 square miles) into a national wildlife refuge via conservation easements on private land. Spanning five counties across southwestern Montana, this would be the largest conservation area ever proposed in America. The Kafkaesque scheme of environmental laws and regulations in this country already provides a nearly insurmountable obstacle to the energy, mining, and agriculture industries. And this designation would be another tool wielded and abused by well-funded environmental groups to oppose all permits for responsible development on state and private land. Most troubling, however, is how this project has come to fruition: behind closed doors and hidden from public scrutiny. My office is aware that prior to today’s announcement, the USFWS had been working with nongovernmental organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and that these organizations have been conducting meetings with select local officials in Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, and Madison counties to garner support for the project. Prior to today, nothing about the MHCA appeared anywhere on the USFWS website. And despite the proposed area containing approximately 500,000 acres controlled by the State of Montana, USFWS has failed to consult Montana state officials on this gargantuan project. State-owned lands generate crucial revenue for Montana schools from natural resource development and livestock grazing. USFWS’s clandestine actions appear to be a blatant violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Congress enacted FACA “with the objective of ‘opening many advisory relationships to public scrutiny except in certain narrowly defined situations.’” Votevets Action Fund v. McDonough, 992 F.3d 1097, 1101 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (quoting Pub. Citizen v. Dep't of Justice, 491 U.S. 440, 463 (1989)). “FACA’s terms promote transparency, accountability, and open public participation in executive branch decisions and prevent informal advisory committees from exerting improper or one-sided influence.” Id. FACA defines “advisory committee” broadly as “any committee, board, commission, council, conference, panel, task force, or other similar group, or any subcommittee or other subgroup thereof … which is … established or utilized by one or more agencies in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations for … one or more agencies or officers of the Federal Government …” 5 U.S.C. app. 2 § 3(2). FACA, importantly, imposes strict procedural requirements. For example, advisory committees must publish notice of any meetings in the Federal Register, 5 U.S.C. App 2 § 10(a)(2); 41 C.F.R. § 102-3.150(a); meetings must be open to the public, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 10(a)(1); and committees must make their records and drafts publicly available. Id. § 10(b)-(c). According to today’s announcement, USFWS intends to allow the public just 36 days to comment during the scoping period. That is plainly unacceptable. See, e.g., Centro Legal de la Raza v. Exec. Office for Immigration Rev., 524 F. Supp. 3d 919, 954-962 (N.D. Cal. 2021); California ex rel. Becerra v. United States Dep't of the Interior, 381 F. Supp. 3d 1153, 1177 (N.D. Cal. 2019). The public deserves—and the law requires—a meaningful opportunity to scrutinize a project of this magnitude, especially one that has been orchestrated surreptitiously with special interests. I, therefore, request that USFWS immediately release all additional records related to the MHCA and postpone any further action until it formally complies with FACA. Finally, if USFWS tries to move forward without satisfying FACA, it must provide a public scoping period of at least 90 days followed by a public comment period of another 90 days. In 2022, state land trust revenue provided $46.3 million for Montana public schools. Montanans deserve better than covert deals between federal bureaucrats and conservation oligarchs. I will vehemently oppose any attempt to ram through this consequential project without full transparency and procedural accountability. Sincerely, AUSTIN KNUDSEN Attorney General of Montana Kootenai National Forest Snow Travel Plan
Attached is a proposed action by the Kootenai NF over the snow travel plan. The map attached is very hard to read but there are links to better maps.
Three significant areas of concern are: The Dry Creek area west of Bull River is a historically used snowmobile area that is being closed because “ it is close to the Scotchman’s Peak wilderness and people may trespass”. NO OTHER REASON GIVEN FOR CLOSURE!! This is back to “guilty until proven innocent” process currently used in RWA management and/or acquiescing to wilderness advocates demands. It, in essence, outside Congressional designation, expands Scotch Peaks wilderness area. The second area of concern : areas closed for snowmobiling include all RWA’s and Scenic River designations. There is nothing in the 2012 planning rules that say RWA’s must exclude snowmobiling. Not all scenic river designations preclude over the snow vehicle access. Third area of concern: Wolverine (PERCEIVED) habitat closed to snowmobile access even though USFW has not designated the Wolverine as endangered. This proposed action is a throwback to the Tidwell regime and does not adhere to the 2012 planning rules. It looks like this is a preview of travel planning for the Lolo NF planning review. It is the never ending “creep” to close back country snowmobiling on NF lands regardless of congressionally approved planning rules. Every snowmobiler needs to be actively engaged in the Lolo forest planning review to try curb this “creep”. Travel planning follows Forest planning, however Forest Planning pretty much sets up the format for Travel Planning. Apparently there is a short comment period open and I will forward that info as soon as I get it. MAKE SNOWMOBILING GREAT AGAIN 
Congratulations to our Mega Raffle Winner!
Troy Robertson, mgr. Montana Power Products Hamilton Store and Pat Haffner, BSP Vice President. Payment for the mega raffle grand prize won by Ryan Peterson, Grangeville Id.
Ryan Peterson couldn’t get away to pick up his new ride that he won through the BSP mega raffle so he conscripted his mom, Kim Peterson, to handle the delivery to Grangeville, Id.. Kim is a BSP director. Montana Power Products in Hamilton was the participating dealer.
BSP Meets with Ryan Zinke
BSP directors, members, and Sandra Mitchell (ISSA) met with Ryan Zinke over lunch on Sat April 16. This was not a fund raiser or campaign speech but an informational meeting to discuss our public lands access concerns. If Ryan does get elected he can now put a face to BSP. We need all the friends we can get in DC and Ryan does seem to understand our issues very well.
Winners of the Backcountry Sled Patriots RaffleThe winners of the Backcountry Sled Patriots mega raffle are:
3rd prize: Pieps avy beacon: Jack Revier 2nd prize: 45-70 Gov't Henry rifle: Curtis Friede 1st prize: $15,000.00 towards either a Polaris or Skidoo product purchase: Ryan Peterson It does pay to be a repeat buyer of BSP raffle tickets. Jack also won a mod sled we raffled a few years ago. Curtis had previously won another rifle at one of our fundraisers Ryan is the second winner to have purchased a winning ticket from Kim Peterson in Grangeville Id. A big shout out to all the volunteers that helped at the event. A big thank you to all who attended. onX Elite Offroad Announcement
BSP is pleased to announce it has entered into a marketing partnership with onXmaps. BSP will be promoting the onX Elite offroad GPS maps (covers all States) to the back country snowmobile community. Obviously these maps work for summer access also. We are offering a one time only, 50% discount ($50.00 savings) to all attendees at our fund raiser on April 16 at the Hilton in Missoula. There will be people onsite at the function to answer your questions and provide more details.
HILTON GARDEN INN ROOM BOOKING INFORMATION HILTON GARDEN INN ROOM BOOKING INFORMATION FOR BSP FUNDRAISER ON APRIL 16
Cut-off date for getting the discounted rate of $119.00, plus applicable taxes, is March 25. If anyone needs rooms for additional nights other than April 16 contact me before you book at [email protected] and I’ll arrange them at the same discounted rate. The link to the booking system is below. https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=MSOGIGI&groupCode=BSPAT&arrivaldate=2022-04-16&departuredate=2022-04-17&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT Annual Fundraiser!
H.R.1755 - Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection ActThe specific proposed conversion of inventoried roadless areas into wilderness are shown for Montana only. I’ll bet everyone can find an area that they ride in…. for now. You can click onto the link to see other States.
HR1755 was pulled from committee hearing but it WAS NOT terminated. If this bill were to be reintroduced and pass mustard at the committee level the chances of passing the House and Senate are fairly high as there are Republicans in the East that think Wilderness is good as long as it isn’t in their back yard. We will keep our eyes open for any reintroduction into a committee hearing before mid -terms. At any rate this is what the wilderness folks big picture objective is: ELIMINATING ALL MOTORIZED AND MECHANIZED IN THE BACK COUNTRY. Making your thoughts known to all your legislators is critical to stop this 23,000,000 acre land grab. Please see the information below that came directly from H.R. 1755, which would designate 23 million acres of new wilderness in Montana, Oregon, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming (click here to view the bill in its entirety and associated information). The minority staff of the House Natural Resources Committee (Congressional) reached out and asked for letters opposing this bill (they are looking for individual responses form impacted states). Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide Wilderness Ecosystem: (a) Designation.—In order to protect the unique ecosystem of the greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide region, the areas described in this section are hereby designated as wilderness. (b) Bob Marshall Wilderness Additions.—The following areas are incorporated into the Bob Marshall Wilderness: (1) CHOTEAU MOUNTAIN/TETON HIGH PEAKS/DEEP CREEK ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 73,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “__” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (2) RENSHAW ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 30,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “___” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (3) SWAN FRONT ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest and Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 169,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “___” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (4) HUNGRY HORSE RESERVOIR WEST.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 179,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “___” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (5) BOB NORTH ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 88,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “___” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (6) MONTURE CREEK ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 99,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “___” and dated ___, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. (c) Great Bear Wilderness Additions.—The following areas are incorporated into the Great Bear Wilderness: (1) HUNGRY HORSE RESERVOIR EAST ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 37,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Great Bear Wilderness. (2) MIDDLE FORK ADDITIONS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 53,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Great Bear Wilderness. (d) Scapegoat Wilderness Additions.—The following areas, consisting of a total of approximately 125,000 acres, are incorporated into the Scapegoat Wilderness: (1) STONEWALL MOUNTAIN ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 55,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Scapegoat Wilderness. (2) SILVER KING/FALLS CREEK ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Helena National Forest comprising approximately 25,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Scapegoat Wilderness. (3) BENCHMARK/ELK CREEK ADDITION.—Certain Federal lands within the Lewis and Clark National Forest, comprising approximately 28,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Scapegoat Wilderness. (e) Mission Mountains Wilderness Additions.—The following areas, consisting of a total of approximately 16,000 acres, are incorporated into the Mission Mountains Wilderness: (1) MISSION MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Mission Mountains Wilderness. (2) MARSHALL PEAK ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Mission Mountains Wilderness. (f) New National Wilderness Preservation System Components.—The following areas are designated as new components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) GLACIER WILDERNESS, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.—Certain Federal land within Glacier National Park comprising approximately 925,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Glacier Wilderness. (2) SAWTOOTH RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _______, which shall be known as the Sawtooth Ridge Wilderness. (3) TUCHUCK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest and the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 142,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tuchuck Wilderness. (4) LE BEAU WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest and the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Le Beau Wilderness. (5) TEN LAKES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 49,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Ten Lakes Wilderness. (6) COAL RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 24,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Coal Ridge Wilderness. (7) STANDARD PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 19,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Standard Peak Wilderness. (8) DEMERS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Coal Ridge Wilderness. (9) LINCOLN GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Lincoln Gulch Wilderness. (10) ANACONDA HILL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Anaconda Hill Wilderness. (11) SPECIMEN CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 13,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Specimen Creek Wilderness. (12) CRATER MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Crater Mountain Wilderness. (13) OGDEN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Ogden Mountain Wilderness. (14) NEVADA MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 54,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Nevada Mountain Wilderness. (15) BLACKFEET WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 129,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “____” and dated ____, which shall be known as the Blackfeet Wilderness. Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (all or part in Montana): (a) Designation.—In order to protect the unique ecosystem of the greater Yellowstone region, the areas described in this section are hereby designated as wilderness. (b) Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal lands within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 265,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. (c) North Absaroka Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 173,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the North Absaroka Wilderness. (d) Washakie Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land with the Shoshone National Forest and land administered by Lander Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 339,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Washakie Wilderness. (e) Fitzpatrick Wilderness Additions.—The following areas are incorporated into the Fitzpatrick Wilderness: (1) FITZPATRICK WILDERNESS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest and land administered by the Lander Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness. (2) BENCH MARK/WARM SPRINGS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness. (f) Teton Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal lands within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 24,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Teton Wilderness. (g) Gros Ventre Wilderness Additions.—The following areas are incorporated into the Gros Ventre Wilderness: (1) SHOAL CREEK ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 32,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Gros Ventre Wilderness. (2) GROS VENTRE ADDITIONS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger Teton National Forest comprising approximately 124,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Gros Ventre Wilderness. (h) Bridger Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest and land administered by the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 230,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bridger Wilderness. (i) Popo Agie Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 60,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Popo Agie Wilderness. (j) Winegar Hole Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Winegar Hole Wilderness. (k) Jedediah Smith Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal lands within the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 51,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. (l) Lee Metcalf Wilderness Additions.—The following areas are incorporated into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness: (1) COWBOYS HEAVEN ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 40,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. (2) LEE METCALF ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 143,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. (m) New National Wilderness Preservation System Components.—The following areas are designated as new components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) YELLOWSTONE WILDERNESS, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.—Certain Federal land within Yellowstone National Park comprising approximately 2,030,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Yellowstone Wilderness. (2) GRAND TETON WILDERNESS, GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK.—Certain Federal land within the Grand Teton National Park comprising approximately 123,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Grand Teton Wilderness. (3) SNOWCREST WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 105,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Snowcrest Wilderness. (4) ANTELOPE BASIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 70,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Antelope Basin Wilderness. (5) LONE BUTTE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Lone Butte Wilderness. (6) BLACK BUTTE.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 39,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known Black Butte Wilderness. (7) GRAVELLY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising of approximately 53,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Gravelly Mountains Wilderness. (8) VIGILANTE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 16,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Vigilante Wilderness. (9) CHERRY LAKES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 13,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Cherry Lakes Wilderness. (10) AXOLOTL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management consisting of approximately 35,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Axolotl Wilderness. (11) CROCKETT LAKE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres administered as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Crockett Lake Wilderness. (12) GALLATIN RANGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 221,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gallatin Range Wilderness. (13) CHICO PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 12,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Chico Peak Wilderness. (14) MADISON WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Madison Wilderness. (15) LIONHEAD WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 48,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Lionhead Wilderness. (16) DEEP LAKE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 90,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Deep Lake Wilderness. (17) MONUMENT RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 18,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Monument Ridge Wilderness. (18) MUNGER MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Munger Mountain Wilderness. (19) LITTLE SHEEP MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Little Sheep Mountain Wilderness. (20) MT. LEIDY HIGHLANDS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 205,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Mt. Leidy Highlands Wilderness. (21) SALT RIVER RANGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 245,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Salt River Range Wilderness. (22) GRAYBACK RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 314,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Grayback Ridge Wilderness. (23) COMMISSARY RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 143,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Commissary Ridge Wilderness. (24) SOUTH WYOMING RANGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 98,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the South Wyoming Range Wilderness. (25) NORTH MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the North Mountain Wilderness. (26) GRAYBACK RIDGE EAST WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest consisting of approximately 18,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Grayback Ridge East Wilderness. (27) PALISADES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 224,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Palisades Wilderness. (28) GANNETT HILLS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 63,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gannett Hills Wilderness. (29) RAYMOND MOUNTAIN NORTH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest and land administered by the Kemmerer Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 19,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “____” and dated ____, which shall be known as the Raymond Mountain North Wilderness. (30) RAYMOND MOUNTAIN SOUTH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Kemmerer Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 24,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “____” and dated ____, which shall be known as the Raymond Mountain South Wilderness. (31) LAKE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest and land administered by the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 17,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Lake Mountain Wilderness. (32) GARNS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 104,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Garns Mountain Wilderness. (33) ANTELOPE CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 17,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Bald Mountain Antelope Creek Wilderness. (34) BEAR CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 98,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Bear Creek Wilderness. (35) STUMP CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 97,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Stump Creek Wilderness. (36) CARIBOU-TARGHEE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 94,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Caribou-Targhee Wilderness. (37) POKER PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Poker Peak Wilderness. (38) TINCUP WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tincup Wilderness. (39) SCHMID PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Schmid Peak Wilderness. (40) SAGE CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 11,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Sage Creek Wilderness. (41) PREUSS CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Preuss Creek Wilderness. (42) DRY RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 23,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Dry Ridge Wilderness. (43) MEADE PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 45,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Meade Peak Wilderness. (44) TOBACCO ROOT MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 97,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tobacco Root Mountains Wilderness. (45) POTOSI WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Potosi Wilderness. Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk Ecosystem Wilderness (all or part in Montana): (b) Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 100,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. (c) Salmo-Priest Wilderness Additions.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and the Colville National Forest comprising approximately 47,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. (d) New National Wilderness Preservation System Components.—The following areas are designated as new components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) SKYLINE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Skyline Mountain Wilderness. (2) GALENA CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Galena Creek Wilderness. (3) BERRAY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Berray Mountain Wilderness. (4) LONE CLIFF-SMEADS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Lone Cliff-Smeads Wilderness. (5) MCNEELEY WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as McNeeley Wilderness. (6) NORTHWEST PEAKS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Northwest Peaks Wilderness. (7) RODERICK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 30,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Roderick Wilderness. (8) GRIZZLY PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Grizzly Peak Wilderness. (9) WEST FORK YAAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as West Fork Yaak Wilderness. (10) MT. HENRY WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Mt. Henry Wilderness. (11) ALEXANDER CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Alexander Creek Wilderness. (12) ROBINSON MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Robinson Mountain Wilderness. (13) DEVIL’S GAP WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Devil’s Gap Wilderness. (14) LONE CLIFF WEST WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Lone Cliff West Wilderness. (15) ALLEN PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 30,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Allen Peak Wilderness. (16) HUCKLEBERRY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Huckleberry Mountain Wilderness. (17) CATARACT PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest and the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 39,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Cataract Peak Wilderness. (18) CUBE IRON-SILCOX WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest and the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 39,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Cube Iron-Silcox Wilderness. (19) SUNDANCE RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Sundance Ridge Wilderness. (20) TEEPEE-SPRING CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as Teepee-Spring Creek Wilderness. (21) BALDY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest and comprising approximately 6,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Baldy Mountain Wilderness. (22) SCOTCHMAN’S PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest and the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 88,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Scotchman’s Peak Wilderness. (23) BUCKHORN RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest and the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 36,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Buckhorn Ridge Wilderness. Greater Hells Canyon Wilderness in Montana: (i) New National Wilderness Preservation System Components In The Pryor Mountains.—The following areas within the Pryor Mountains are designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) LOST WATER CANYON WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest, the Bighorn National Recreation Area, and land administered by the Billings Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 63,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Lost Water Canyon Wilderness. (2) BIG PRYOR MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 39,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Big Pryor Mountain Wilderness. (29) FLINT RANGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 73,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Flint Range Wilderness. (30) FRED BURR WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximate 6,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Fred Burr Wilderness. (31) ELKHORN MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest and land administered by the Butte Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 88,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as Elkhorn Mountains Wilderness. (71) HOODOO MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the public lands administered by the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 11,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness. (72) WALES CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal lands within the public lands administered by the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 12,000 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Wales Creek Wilderness. Wilderness in Biological Connecting Corridors: (b) Sapphire Mountains/Continental Divide Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) WELCOME CREEK WILDERNESS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 1,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Welcome Creek Wilderness. (2) ANACONDA-PINTLER WILDERNESS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 194,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. (3) STONY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot, Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 120,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Stony Mountain Wilderness. (4) QUIGG PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and land administered by the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 77,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Quigg Peak Wilderness. (5) SILVER KING WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 50,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Silver King Wilderness. (6) EMERINE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Emerine Wilderness. (7) SLEEPING CHILD WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot National Forest comprising approximately 21,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Sleeping Child Wilderness. (c) Jocko Mountains/Cabinet Mountains Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) MOUNT BUSHNELL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 42,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Mount Bushnell Wilderness. (2) CHERRY PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 38,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Cherry Peak Wilderness. (3) PATRICK’S KNOB/NORTH CUTOFF.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 17,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Patrick’s Knob/North Cutoff Wilderness. (4) SOUTH SIEGEL/SOUTH CUTOFF WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 13,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the South Siegel Wilderness. (5) NORTH SIEGEL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the North Siegel Wilderness. (6) RESERVATION DIVIDE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 19,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Reservation Divide Wilderness. (d) Nine Mile/Great Burn Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) BURDETTE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 16,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Burdette Wilderness. (2) PETTY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 16,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Petty Mountain Wilderness. (3) GILLMAN CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gillman Creek Wilderness. (e) Anaconda-Pintler-Divide Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) FLEECER WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 36,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Fleecer Wilderness. (2) HIGHLANDS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 21,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Highlands Wilderness. (3) BASIN CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Basin Creek Wilderness. (4) GRANULATED MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 14,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Granulated Mountains Wilderness. (5) LOWER BOULDER WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Butte Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Lower Boulder Wilderness. (6) RUBY RANGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 27,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ___________, which shall be known as the Ruby Range Wilderness. (7) HUMBUG SPIRES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Butte Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 12,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _________, which shall be known as the Humbug Spires Wilderness. (f) Ten Lakes/Cabinet/Yaak Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) GOLD HILL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gold Hill Wilderness. (2) GOLD HILL WEST WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 16,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gold Hill West Wilderness. (3) ZULU CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Zulu Creek Wilderness. (4) GOOD CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Good Creek Wilderness. (g) Cabinet/Yaak/Great Burn Complex Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) MAPLE PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo, Idaho Panhandle, and Kootenai National Forests comprising approximately 19,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Maple Peak Wilderness. (2) STORM CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle and Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Storm Creek Wilderness. (3) HAMMOND CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 17,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Hammond Creek Wilderness. (4) NORTH FORK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 31,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the North Fork Wilderness. (5) BIG CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 76,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Big Creek Wilderness. (6) BOBTAIL PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 12,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Bobtail Peak Wilderness. (7) EAST CATHEDRAL PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 22,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the East Cathedral Peak Wilderness. (8) EAST FORK ELK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the East Fork Elk Wilderness. (9) WEST FORK ELK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the West Fork Elk Wilderness. (10) SPION KOP WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 22,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Spion Kop Wilderness. (11) ROLAND POINT WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Roland Point Wilderness. (12) TROUT CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle and Kootenai National Forests comprising approximately 39,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Trout Creek Wilderness. (13) WONDERFUL PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Wonderful Peak Wilderness. (14) STEVENS PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 5,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Stevens Peak Wilderness. (15) EVANS GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Evans Gulch Wilderness. (16) GILT EDGE-SILVER CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Gilt Edge-Silver Creek Wilderness. (17) WARD EAGLE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Ward Eagle Wilderness. (18) MARBLE POINT WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest comprising approximately 13,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Marble Point Wilderness. (h) Anaconda-Pintler/Bitterroot Mountains Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) WEST PIONEERS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 230,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the West Pioneers Wilderness. (2) CATTLE GULCH RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 19,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Cattle Gulch Ridge Wilderness. (3) EAST PIONEERS/CALL MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 160,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the East Pioneers/Call Mountain Wilderness. (i) Frank Church/Greater Yellowstone Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) TOLAN CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tolan Creek Wilderness. (2) ALLAN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 151,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Allan Mountain Wilderness. (3) ANDERSON MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 49,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Anderson Mountain Wilderness. (4) WEST BIG HOLE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 210,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the West Big Hole Wilderness. (5) GOAT MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 45,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Goat Mountain Wilderness. (6) ITALIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Salmon-Challis, and Caribou-Targhee National Forest and land administered by the Salmon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 305,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Italian Peaks Wilderness. (7) GARFIELD MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 92,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Garfield Mountain Wilderness. (8) FOUR EYES CANYON WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Four Eyes Canyon Wilderness. (9) TENDOY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 83,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tendoy Mountains Wilderness. (10) HENNEBERRY RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 12,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ___________, which shall be known as the Henneberry Ridge Wilderness. (11) BLACK TAIL MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 15,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _________, which shall be known as the Black Tail Mountains Wilderness. (12) SAGINAW CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Saginaw Creek Wilderness. (13) TASH PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 53,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Tash Peak Wilderness. (14) BEAVER LAKES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Beaver Lakes Wilderness. (15) AGENCY CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Agency Creek Wilderness. (16) FREEZEOUT WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests comprising approximately 37,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Freezeout Wilderness. (17) TWO TOP WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Two Top Wilderness. (18) CENTENNIALS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 88,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Centennials Wilderness. (19) LITTLE BEAR CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Little Bear Creek Wilderness. (m) Greater Glacier/Greater Yellowstone Corridor.—The following areas in this corridor, designated in title II, are hereby designated as wilderness: (1) TENDERFOOT WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 105,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Tenderfoot Wilderness. (2) MIDDLE FORK JUDITH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 84,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness. (3) PILGRIM CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 47,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Pilgrim Creek Wilderness. (4) PAINE GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Paine Gulch Wilderness. (5) SAWMILL GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 12,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Sawmill Gulch Wilderness. (6) SPRING CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 18,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Spring Creek Wilderness. (7) TW MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 8,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the TW Mountain Wilderness. (8) BIG BALDY WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 43,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Big Baldy Wilderness. (9) STANFORD WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Stanford Wilderness. (10) TOLLGATE-SHEEP WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 25,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Tollgate-Sheep Wilderness. (11) MOUNT HIGH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 33,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Mount High Wilderness. (12) BLUFF MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 37,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Bluff Mountain Wilderness. (13) NORTH FORK SMITH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 9,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the North Fork Smith Wilderness. (14) BIG SNOWIES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 105,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Big Snowies Wilderness. (15) HIGHWOODS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 25,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Highwoods Wilderness. (16) HIGHWOOD BALDY WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 16,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Highwood Baldy Wilderness. (17) CALF CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 10,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Calf Creek Wilderness. (18) EAGLE CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Eagle Creek Wilderness. (19) CASTLE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 28,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Castle Mountains Wilderness. (20) BOX CANYON WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest comprising approximately 15,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Box Canyon Wilderness. (21) CRAZY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 159,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Crazy Mountains Wilderness. (22) GATES OF THE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS ADDITION.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 20,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness. (23) LAZYMAN GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 11,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Lazyman Gulch Wilderness. (24) BIG BIRCH POND WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 19,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated _____, which shall be known as the Big Birch Pond Wilderness. (25) CAMAS CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 27,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Camas Creek Wilderness. (26) JERICHO MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 12,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Jericho Mountain Wilderness. (27) IRISH GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Irish Gulch Wilderness. (28) GRASSY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Grassy Mountain Wilderness. (29) MIDDLEMAN/HEDGES WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 34,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Middleman/Hedges Wilderness. (30) HELLGATE GULCH WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 17,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Hellgate Gulch Wilderness. (31) CAYUSE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 22,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Cayuse Mountain Wilderness. (32) ELECTRIC PEAK/LITTLE BLACKFOOT MEADOWS WILDERNESS, BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE AND HELENA NATIONAL FORESTS.—Certain Federal land within the Helena and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 53,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Electric Peak/Little Blackfoot Meadows Wilderness. (33) WHITETAIL-HAYSTACK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 73,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Whitetail-Haystack Wilderness. (34) O’NEIL CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 7,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the O’Neil Creek Wilderness. (35) BANGTAIL WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 51,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, which shall be known as the Bangtail Wilderness. Designation of Biological Connecting Corridors in Montana: b) Sapphire Mountains/Continental Divide Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 120,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, administered by the Bitterroot, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, or Lolo National Forest and land administered by the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management are designated as Sapphire Mountains/Continental Divide Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (c) Jocko Mountains/Cabinet Mountains Corridor.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 129,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, administered by the Lolo National Forest are designated as Jocko Mountains/Cabinet Mountains Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (d) Nine Mile/Great Burn Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 73,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, administered by the Lolo National Forest are designated as Nine Mile/Great Burn Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (e) Anaconda-Pintler-Divide Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 260,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and land administered by the Dillon or Butte Field Offices of the Bureau of Land Management are designated as Anaconda-Pintler-Divide Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (j) Anaconda-Pintlar/Bitterroot Mountains Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 147,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and land administered by the Dillon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management are designated as Anaconda-Pintler/Bitterroot Mountains Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (k) Frank Church/Greater Yellowstone Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 642,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot, Caribou-Targhee, or Salmon-Challis National Forest and land administered by the Dillon or Salmon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management are designated as the Frank Church/Greater Yellowstone Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. (r) Greater Glacier/Greater Yellowstone Corridors.—Certain Federal land comprising approximately 542,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “_____” and dated ______, within the Custer Gallatin, Helena or Lewis and Clark National Forest and land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management are designated as the Greater Glacier/Greater Yellowstone Corridor and shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203. Proposed Wild and Scenic River Designations in Montana: “(242) Badger Creek, Including The South And North Forks, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from its headwaters downstream approximately 24 miles to the national forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(243) Dearborn, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest downstream approximately 19 miles to the national forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(244) North Fork Birch Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from its headwaters downstream approximately 7 miles to the national forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(245) South Fork Sun, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from its headwaters at Sun Lake downstream approximately 26 miles to its confluence with the North Fork, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(246) North Fork Sun, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from the confluence of Open Creek and Fool Creek downstream approximately 27 miles, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(247) Tenderfoot Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from the top of Tenderfoot Creek Falls downstream approximately 5 miles to the Smith River, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(248) Green Fork Straight Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from its headwaters downstream approximately 5 miles to Straight Creek, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(249) Yaak River, Montana.—The segment within the Kootenai National Forest from the Yaak Falls downstream 46 miles to the mouth of the Yaak River at the junction of the Kootenai River, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(250) Kootenai River, Montana.—The segment within the Kootenai National Forest from the junction of the Fisher River downstream approximately 46 miles to the State line, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(251) Bull River, Montana.—The segment within the Kootenai National Forest from the junction of the North and South Forks downstream 21 miles to the Cabinet Gorge Reservoir, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(252) Vermillion River, Montana.—The segment within the Kootenai National Forest from the junction of Willow Creek, downstream 12 miles to the Noxon Reservoir, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(253) West Fork Madison, Montana.—The segment within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest from approximately the midpoint of Section 28, R. 2 W., T. 12 S., downstream approximately 21 miles to the West Fork Rest Area, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(254) Elk River, Montana.—The segment within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in the southeast corner of Section 16, R. 2 W., T. 11 S., downstream approximately 17 miles to the confluence with the West Fork of the Madison River, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(255) Browns Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest from the west central part of Section 1, R. 14 W., T. 8 S., downstream approximately 4 miles to the forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(256) Canyon Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest from Canyon Lake downstream approximately 4 miles to the end of USFS road 7401, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(257) Deadman Creek, Montana.—The segment within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest from its headwater source downstream approximately 10 miles to the forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(258) Smith River, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from Tenderfoot Creek downstream approximately 12 miles to Deep Creek, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(259) Middle Fork Judith River, Montana.—The segment within the Lewis and Clark National Forest from Arch Coulee Junction downstream approximately 5 miles to the national forest boundary, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. “(260) Rock Creek Watershed, Montana.—The segments within the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests including the main fork of Rock Creek, the West Fork of Rock Creek, the East Fork of Rock Creek, the Ross Fork of Rock Creek, the Middle Fork of Rock Creek, the Carpp Creek segment, the Copper Creek segment, the Ranch Creek segment, the Welcome Creek segment, the Alder Creek segment, the Hogback Creek segment, the Wyman Gulch segment, the Stony Creek segment, the West Fork segment, and the Ross Fork segment, comprising approximately 134 miles, which shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. | |||
Tester vs. Daines Wilderness Proposals
As many of you know Senator Tester has introduced his Blackfoot Stewardship Act that would increase the Bob Marshall wilderness by about 80,000 acres. Senator Daines is opposing supporting that bill and is planning to introduce a bill of his own releasing about 300,000 acres of Wilderness Study (WSA) lands treated as de-facto wilderness back to the original use status. It seems that the Energy and Natural resources committee is warm to the idea of pairing the two bills into one hearing. Of course politics is always subject to change!
Daines office has reached out to a few of us multiple use proponents to solicit ideas for the best choice of WSA lands for release. Once the list gets pared down I'll be looking for your comments.
Senator Tester is crying foul but as the old saying goes "if the shoe fits....".
Round one!
Daines office has reached out to a few of us multiple use proponents to solicit ideas for the best choice of WSA lands for release. Once the list gets pared down I'll be looking for your comments.
Senator Tester is crying foul but as the old saying goes "if the shoe fits....".
Round one!
Online Auction Results
Overall I was quite pleased with the revenue results of the online auction. It generated about 40% more than I had initially projected. This was a new approach to fund raising so we were a bit tentative in soliciting high end donations. The total number of items offered was slightly over 1/2 of what we would normally have at an in person fund raiser. To further complicate this auction, many items were originally for our in person event in 2020 which we had to cancel. Many of those items, particularly apparel, are not necessarily conducive to an online auction venue. Now that we know the system will work it opens another avenue for fund raising.
Stay tuned for our next events. We are planning (always subject to change) an online raffle, next fall, of two Henry rifles engraved with the signatures of Chris Burandt and Kevin Lavallee. Going into 2022 we are going to do two sweepstakes events, one prize in the $20,000.00 range and another in the $15,000.00 range. We also are planning an in person event in the spring of 2022. None of these events would be possible without the strong support of the generous donors and BSP members
I was also pleased that the majority of the auction bidders were BSP members supporting the cause. I often hear groups telling me that their fund raiser auctions simply become a flea market, people looking for deals. This has never been the case with BSP members. In fact, many folks have added generous donation amounts to their checkout payment. For that we are very grateful.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stan Spencer
Stay tuned for our next events. We are planning (always subject to change) an online raffle, next fall, of two Henry rifles engraved with the signatures of Chris Burandt and Kevin Lavallee. Going into 2022 we are going to do two sweepstakes events, one prize in the $20,000.00 range and another in the $15,000.00 range. We also are planning an in person event in the spring of 2022. None of these events would be possible without the strong support of the generous donors and BSP members
I was also pleased that the majority of the auction bidders were BSP members supporting the cause. I often hear groups telling me that their fund raiser auctions simply become a flea market, people looking for deals. This has never been the case with BSP members. In fact, many folks have added generous donation amounts to their checkout payment. For that we are very grateful.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stan Spencer
ONLINE AUCTION PAYMENT AND PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS
A LIST OF WINNING BIDDERS INCLUDING LOT NUMBERS AND WINNING BID AMOUNT WILL BE POSTED BY 10:00 AM ON April 05
ONLINE PAYMENT:
Go to the DONATE section , WRITE A NOTE SPECIFYING THE LOT# (S) YOU ARE PAYING FOR.
PAYMENT AT TIME OF PICKUP MUST BE CASH OR CHECK ONLY
Pickup times will be between 10:00 and 4:00 , April 5-9. Text 406 544 0144 to set a time and receive location instructions. Pickup location is in Missoula.
If shipping is required call or text 406 544 0144. The item will be dropped at Shippers Depot and they will contact you with shipping charges. Item must be paid for prior to shipping.
ONLINE PAYMENT:
Go to the DONATE section , WRITE A NOTE SPECIFYING THE LOT# (S) YOU ARE PAYING FOR.
PAYMENT AT TIME OF PICKUP MUST BE CASH OR CHECK ONLY
Pickup times will be between 10:00 and 4:00 , April 5-9. Text 406 544 0144 to set a time and receive location instructions. Pickup location is in Missoula.
If shipping is required call or text 406 544 0144. The item will be dropped at Shippers Depot and they will contact you with shipping charges. Item must be paid for prior to shipping.
Backcountry Access Updates
The Forest Service supervisor is NOT going to issue a Heliskiing permit in the Centennials. Good news. The only downside to the decision was Grizzly Bear habitat infringement, not snowmobile access, was the reason for non issuance.
Now for the bad news. I recently discussed the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act with Rep Rosendale's natural resource person, Makenzie Shellnutt who is located in DC. It is a bombshell. It was introduced by Rep Maloney of New York, yes NY, on March 10. It would convert 23,000,000 acres (you read that right) into designated Wilderness and 1800 miles into wild and scenic rivers.
Here is a synopsis of the areas included: Whitefish Range, Great Burn, Italian Peaks, Gravelly Range, Gallatin Range, Crazy Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Pryor Mountains, and East Pioneers.
Other than part of the Great Burn which is in Id. these areas are all in Montana. Obviously the Montana wilderness groups couldn't get the Mt. Rep to introduce this bill so they found someone in New York.
This won't be the last wilderness bill to be introduced in this administration as they are really bent on 30% of all Federal Lands to be in conservation (non motorized). What you might find interesting is Biden (well, his staff) has not outlined what the 30% deal includes. Rosendale and others have co-authored a letter asking for clarification. Nevertheless the rank and file are going ahead with implementing their version of it anyway. Kind of like a flight attendant piloting an airplane. What could go wrong?
The good news is it takes a supermajority in the Senate to pass a wilderness bill so hopefully it should be DOA. I would encourage everyone to contact Sen Daines ([email protected]) asking him not to support this bill and ask him to solicit all Senators to vote against it. Remember there are some, probably many, senators who have have no idea, or care, what the back country means to our western way of life.
Now for the bad news. I recently discussed the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act with Rep Rosendale's natural resource person, Makenzie Shellnutt who is located in DC. It is a bombshell. It was introduced by Rep Maloney of New York, yes NY, on March 10. It would convert 23,000,000 acres (you read that right) into designated Wilderness and 1800 miles into wild and scenic rivers.
Here is a synopsis of the areas included: Whitefish Range, Great Burn, Italian Peaks, Gravelly Range, Gallatin Range, Crazy Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Pryor Mountains, and East Pioneers.
Other than part of the Great Burn which is in Id. these areas are all in Montana. Obviously the Montana wilderness groups couldn't get the Mt. Rep to introduce this bill so they found someone in New York.
This won't be the last wilderness bill to be introduced in this administration as they are really bent on 30% of all Federal Lands to be in conservation (non motorized). What you might find interesting is Biden (well, his staff) has not outlined what the 30% deal includes. Rosendale and others have co-authored a letter asking for clarification. Nevertheless the rank and file are going ahead with implementing their version of it anyway. Kind of like a flight attendant piloting an airplane. What could go wrong?
The good news is it takes a supermajority in the Senate to pass a wilderness bill so hopefully it should be DOA. I would encourage everyone to contact Sen Daines ([email protected]) asking him not to support this bill and ask him to solicit all Senators to vote against it. Remember there are some, probably many, senators who have have no idea, or care, what the back country means to our western way of life.
Auction Is Open
Here is a bit more clarity on accessing the auction site.
The link is: https://riverswestauction.hibid.com/catalog/267637/back-country-sled-patriots-online-2021/
At the very top of the home page click onto 'upcoming auctions', then click onto 'live and highbid auction'.
At the very bottom of the page click onto 'view catalog'
The home page layout may vary slightly on your specific phone but the prompts noted above remain the same.
The link is: https://riverswestauction.hibid.com/catalog/267637/back-country-sled-patriots-online-2021/
At the very top of the home page click onto 'upcoming auctions', then click onto 'live and highbid auction'.
At the very bottom of the page click onto 'view catalog'
The home page layout may vary slightly on your specific phone but the prompts noted above remain the same.
Auction Opens March 8, 2021
On each Friday at 5:00 while the auction is running, Mar 12, 19, 26, April 02 we will pull the name of the high bidder for each item. If you are the high bidder on multiple items your name will be entered multiple times. Those names will go into a bucket and a winning name will be drawn. The winner will be announced the following Monday. Prizes are: Mar 12: Klim/BSP Backcountry hoodie plus BSP cap, Mar 19: Klim/BSP jacket, Mar 26: Klim/BSP Yukon pullover, April 02: Karl Tyler car detail.
Now It Begins
On Friday the US House passed a public lands bill "protecting" nearly 3 million acres of Federal land. This bill still has to clear the Senate but looking at a broader picture this looks like just the "tip of the iceberg" defining the new administration's desire to exclude motorized use from "at least" 30% of all public lands to combat climate change.
The 3 million acres in this bill do not affect Montana. It covers land in Colorado, California, Washington and Arizona. Included in the bill are 660,000 acres to be designated "wilderness". I have no doubt Montana and Idaho are on the "to do list". This bill also adds 1000 miles to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system. They are claiming this is the largest land protection bill to go before Congress. I think they are just getting started.
This needs to be a "beginning" for all of us to get engaged with our Congressional reps to stop this land grab. The bottom line is we need to make a compelling argument to our representatives that we don't need more wilderness. Mt and Id have many RWA's and WSA's that these folks would dearly love to see converted to a Wilderness designation by Congressional action. No public input required.
Once the "W" gets assigned it is almost impossible to reverse.
There are over 2,000,000 acres designated by the Forest Service in Mt alone that can be converted to "W" by Congressional action. The structure in DC provides the unobstructed opportunity for the Wilderness advocates to convince Congress to establish a lot more wilderness designated areas in our State. The omly thing that can stand in their way is for all of us, and I mean ALL OF US, to convince the Senate (at least 1 democrat plus all the Republicans) that this is a bad idea.
I won't go into the ways to accomplish that outcome today but hopefully this will be a wake-up call that we need a proactive plan to try keep more areas from being closed permanently. Wishful thinking is not a good plan. If we do nothing we won't get a second bite at the apple.
The 3 million acres in this bill do not affect Montana. It covers land in Colorado, California, Washington and Arizona. Included in the bill are 660,000 acres to be designated "wilderness". I have no doubt Montana and Idaho are on the "to do list". This bill also adds 1000 miles to the Wild and Scenic Rivers system. They are claiming this is the largest land protection bill to go before Congress. I think they are just getting started.
This needs to be a "beginning" for all of us to get engaged with our Congressional reps to stop this land grab. The bottom line is we need to make a compelling argument to our representatives that we don't need more wilderness. Mt and Id have many RWA's and WSA's that these folks would dearly love to see converted to a Wilderness designation by Congressional action. No public input required.
Once the "W" gets assigned it is almost impossible to reverse.
There are over 2,000,000 acres designated by the Forest Service in Mt alone that can be converted to "W" by Congressional action. The structure in DC provides the unobstructed opportunity for the Wilderness advocates to convince Congress to establish a lot more wilderness designated areas in our State. The omly thing that can stand in their way is for all of us, and I mean ALL OF US, to convince the Senate (at least 1 democrat plus all the Republicans) that this is a bad idea.
I won't go into the ways to accomplish that outcome today but hopefully this will be a wake-up call that we need a proactive plan to try keep more areas from being closed permanently. Wishful thinking is not a good plan. If we do nothing we won't get a second bite at the apple.
Winning isn't everything but losing sucks!
Keith Curtis had a full sweep at his first RMSHA race this past weekend. His success comes down to the basics: "the will to win is important....the will to prepare is critical". Of course an unbelievable skillset helps!
Working with various agencies to try keep our back country riding areas open is not nearly as sexy as RMSHA racing but the same principals apply if we are to succeed. I bring this up because the current administrations climate agenda seems very pointed towards closing back country motorized access through elimination of fossil fuels and using climate change as a basis (subterfuge) for protecting certain wildlife that lives in the high country in the winter (Wolverines and Lynx). We, as in all snowmobilers, need to be preparing now to counter these unfounded claims. The climate aspect is the most troubling in my mind. It appears the current politically correct approach is to throw s__t against the wall and see what sticks.
A whole herd of wilderness groups have sued the US FWS to reverse its decision that Wolverines and Canada Lynx do not need to be listed as endangered. Do you sense the current administration will change people at US FWS to be receptive to an endangered listing only for political reasons?
BSP has joined ISSA as an intervenor supporting the US FWS decision to not list. If these two animals become listed as endangered, the next step will be to try stop snowmobiling in any existing or perceived habitat areas which cover most back country snowmobiling areas in the Northwest US. Not just WSA's and RWA's but ALL BACK COUNTRY AREAS!
This is the time (surely you can find 15 min to do this) to contact your Congressional representatives to voice your opposition to any politically driven endangered listing of the Wolverine or Canada Lynx and support the current US FWS decision and reasoning not to list.
Working with various agencies to try keep our back country riding areas open is not nearly as sexy as RMSHA racing but the same principals apply if we are to succeed. I bring this up because the current administrations climate agenda seems very pointed towards closing back country motorized access through elimination of fossil fuels and using climate change as a basis (subterfuge) for protecting certain wildlife that lives in the high country in the winter (Wolverines and Lynx). We, as in all snowmobilers, need to be preparing now to counter these unfounded claims. The climate aspect is the most troubling in my mind. It appears the current politically correct approach is to throw s__t against the wall and see what sticks.
A whole herd of wilderness groups have sued the US FWS to reverse its decision that Wolverines and Canada Lynx do not need to be listed as endangered. Do you sense the current administration will change people at US FWS to be receptive to an endangered listing only for political reasons?
BSP has joined ISSA as an intervenor supporting the US FWS decision to not list. If these two animals become listed as endangered, the next step will be to try stop snowmobiling in any existing or perceived habitat areas which cover most back country snowmobiling areas in the Northwest US. Not just WSA's and RWA's but ALL BACK COUNTRY AREAS!
This is the time (surely you can find 15 min to do this) to contact your Congressional representatives to voice your opposition to any politically driven endangered listing of the Wolverine or Canada Lynx and support the current US FWS decision and reasoning not to list.
Preview of What's to Come in 2021
I doubt anyone would disagree that 2020 was a year to forget. BSP had two big disappointments: The 9th circuit ruled against our appeal to the Bitterroot NF Travel plan lawsuit. The appointed panel was comprised of (3) Dem appointees so the outcome was pretty much predetermined.
We initiated a coalition to review the fundamentals of allowed uses in RWA's and picked the Beaverhead Deerlodge NF as a test. We engaged an independent arbitrator to establish a fair outcome. Unfortunately, he and I had some strong disagreements on the validity of subsequent Supreme Court decisions that would have the potential to reverse previous B-DL forest plan litigation. He abruptly resigned as an arbitrator which left us holding the bag. That certainly cost us some political capital.
BSP joined a group of about (7) like-minded groups to draft and present a letter to the USFWS regarding a potential Wolverine endangered listing and explaining snowmobiles have no negative effect on their well being. The USFWS decided to not list the Wolverine. Hard to say if our input was a deciding factor.
The Clearwater NF commended us for rallying snowmobilers to show up at "meet and greet" events and to submit comments on the Clearwater NF Forest Plan.
I think we really need to look at 2021 in PREVIEW rather than 2020 in review.
The challenges to keep backcountry motorized areas open are going to be challenged as never before with the new administration. Remember the Forest Service is an agency within the Department of Agriculture and the new Secretary is appointed by the President. The policy will be driven from the top down.
So do we put out tails between our legs and hide in a corner? NO!.
The one thing that we need to focus on is expanding public opinion (awareness) that snowmobiling is a good thing. Look at what transpired in this country last year that was driven by public opinion. Expanding public opinion is not done in the coffee shop "preaching to the choir". It is done by making the general public aware of the facts. Every individual who wants to continue riding in the backcountry needs to be involved in order for our efforts to succeed. More on this in the coming months.
We will be doing some mega online raffle and auction events in the upcoming months. Just putting the final touches on details. Hopefully, everything will be ready for release by Jan 15, 2021.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.
We initiated a coalition to review the fundamentals of allowed uses in RWA's and picked the Beaverhead Deerlodge NF as a test. We engaged an independent arbitrator to establish a fair outcome. Unfortunately, he and I had some strong disagreements on the validity of subsequent Supreme Court decisions that would have the potential to reverse previous B-DL forest plan litigation. He abruptly resigned as an arbitrator which left us holding the bag. That certainly cost us some political capital.
BSP joined a group of about (7) like-minded groups to draft and present a letter to the USFWS regarding a potential Wolverine endangered listing and explaining snowmobiles have no negative effect on their well being. The USFWS decided to not list the Wolverine. Hard to say if our input was a deciding factor.
The Clearwater NF commended us for rallying snowmobilers to show up at "meet and greet" events and to submit comments on the Clearwater NF Forest Plan.
I think we really need to look at 2021 in PREVIEW rather than 2020 in review.
The challenges to keep backcountry motorized areas open are going to be challenged as never before with the new administration. Remember the Forest Service is an agency within the Department of Agriculture and the new Secretary is appointed by the President. The policy will be driven from the top down.
So do we put out tails between our legs and hide in a corner? NO!.
The one thing that we need to focus on is expanding public opinion (awareness) that snowmobiling is a good thing. Look at what transpired in this country last year that was driven by public opinion. Expanding public opinion is not done in the coffee shop "preaching to the choir". It is done by making the general public aware of the facts. Every individual who wants to continue riding in the backcountry needs to be involved in order for our efforts to succeed. More on this in the coming months.
We will be doing some mega online raffle and auction events in the upcoming months. Just putting the final touches on details. Hopefully, everything will be ready for release by Jan 15, 2021.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.
Thanks to everyone who bid!
Dana with his new ride. Hope he shares with his grandson.
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High bid for the youth 4 wheeler at 3:30 Friday is $1800.00, which by the way, is well under (like really under) MSRP. Bids close at 5:00 Sat 19th Stop by Russell Motor Sports in Missoula to bid via slent auction. High bid at 5:00 Saturday, 12/19/20 gets it.
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ATV Silent Auction
The current high bid as of 3:00 Tues PM is $1,200.00. Are you going to let someone steal it for about 1/3 of replacement cost? Check out the youth Arctic Cat ATV and enter your bid at Russell Sports/Grizzly Harley Davidson in Missoula. If you want to raise your bid but can't get back to the store you can send me an email at [email protected] and we will enter your new bid amount. Bidding closes 5:00 PM Dec 19.
It is not just about getting a deal but also about supporting BSP efforts to keep our back country riding areas open.
The current high bid as of 3:00 Tues PM is $1,200.00. Are you going to let someone steal it for about 1/3 of replacement cost? Check out the youth Arctic Cat ATV and enter your bid at Russell Sports/Grizzly Harley Davidson in Missoula. If you want to raise your bid but can't get back to the store you can send me an email at [email protected] and we will enter your new bid amount. Bidding closes 5:00 PM Dec 19.
It is not just about getting a deal but also about supporting BSP efforts to keep our back country riding areas open.
COMMENT PROCESS FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS) FOR THE CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST (GREAT BURN).
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The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision has a total of (5) proposed activities for the Great Burn Recommended Wilderness Area (RWA)
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Suggested comment framework:
Support the "NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE" with the following changes: Hoodoo area will be designated as 'semi-primitive motorized' instead of a RWA. Access would be limited to snowmobiles, snow bikes and Mtn bikes. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows RWA's will be eliminated. The reason for going with the NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE WITH CHANGES instead of going with alternative X is many snowmobile groups feel this is a fair designation for both motorized and non-motorized users that allows uses that will not diminish the wildness character of the area. The reason for eliminating the three RWA’s mentioned is they are “bolt on” areas to existing wilderness but do not have the characteristics to qualify for a future wilderness designation.
It is important to note WHY you support the above changes. Personally, I love the Great Burn for SCENERY, CHALLENGE, AND SOLITUDE. It is an area like no other in the lower 48 States. You certainly may have other reasons why you like the area. There are no other users in the high country in the winter season. There is no wildlife disturbance in the winter due to snow depth. When the snow melts, all trace of snowmobiling is erased. The reason for eliminating the North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot RWA‘s is they do not meet the Forest Service criteria for potential inclusion into the Wilderness preservation system. They are areas that had been historically accessed by snowmobilers for many years.
Depending upon the FS map you look at, North Fork Spruce-white Sands includes what we call "Beaver Ridge" area (includes Beaver Lake). Remember The FS designates all the Gt. Burn area as 'Hoodoo', not just the area north of Fish Lake. In the 'no action' alternative the Gt. Burn RWA stays the same size as it is today with none of the additional proposed RWA's that show up in Alt 'W' and 'Z'.
It might be helpful to add to your comments something along the line: we don't support a RWA designation, but do support protection of the Great Burn from any activity(s) that could impair the character of the area. Areas noted for RWA expansion in alternatives 'W' and 'Z' do not meet the criteria for Recommended Wilderness.
When I submit my presentation to the FS I'll go into the reasoning why we don't support a RWA designation. The above comment proposal is a combination of parts of (4) alternatives: No action, Alt X, Y and Z. The FS has encouraged a "mix and match" approach to build a final preferred alternative.
Several large organizations in both Mt. and Id. are aligned with BSP position which puts us in a strong unified position. I am not a spokesperson for those groups so I can't name them.
I would strongly suggest you go to the Clearwater NF Forest Plan Revision website and look at the DEIS maps of the alternatives to follow the rationale for the above comment proposal.
One thing I need to make clear. We are not supporting any RWA designation in our comment/proposal. However, there are some RWA's that are in the "NO ACTION" Alternative that are outside of our interest. You can see them on the maps in the DEIS. DO NOT COMMENT ON THOSE AREAS . Stay silent on them. Doing any comment along the line that states "we can't get there, or don't ride there so it's not an issue", could inadvertently be construed to show support for a future wilderness designation, regardless of location.
I have been thinking that people may not bother to comment on the Clearwater NF plan revision (Gt. Burn) due to the sheer enormity of the DEIS publication. I received a call last night that confirmed my suspicions. There is a means to get a thumbnail sketch of the DEIS. If you read the Executive Summary of the DEIS you can get a feel for the overall content. Keep in mind, alternative Z on page 11 does not mention snowmobiling and mtn bikes are allowed. This was confirmed to me by the forest planner. Hopefully they will publish an amendment.
Adding Comments To DEIS
The email to comment is: [email protected] This email lets you add your comment to an ‘e-collaborative’ where you can see and respond to other comments. When using this link you need to complete the subject line with the following : Collaborative information. Hoodoo (Great Burn area) .
The comment period has been extended to April 20. Keep your calendar open for the FS meetings in both Id. and Mt.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
You can get to the Forest Plan revision website using the following link: http://bit.ly/NezClearFPR . You can easily access the DEIS Index. If you click onto the 16 page Executive Summary you can get a thumbnail sketch of the alternatives offered and an oversight of the 2000 page DEIS. You can also scroll down the index and click onto the maps specific to the alternatives and see the areas I have suggested to comment on. The comment period closes April 20,2020.
If you don’t comment during this comment period, you are not eligible to comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) when it is released in about one year. The FEIS will be the preferred alternative the FS plans on going with.
Next issue: where do you find this information?
Google Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision Click on the header that highlights reviewing the forest plan using the 2012 forest planning rules scroll down to the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT and click onto it scroll down the index to EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. (it is 16 pages and you can probably get through it in about 15 min)
The Index will also allow you to look a certain aspects of the DEIS without reading all 2000 pages.
Getting engaged in the planning process is the only way we are going to regain access to the Great Burn riding area. That means EVERYONE needs to spend a bit of time and energy to make it happen.
The Forest Service public meeting dates are also noted in the above information. Showing up for these meetings in your respective areas is critical. The first Meeting was in Moscow, Id last Sat. The "Friends of the Clearwater", a wilderness advocate group, organized a turnout rally to oppose any potential motorized/mechanized uses in the Gt. Burn. Fortunately we got wind of it and Luke Bledsoe from Team Lochsa and a BSP member, rallied the local snowmobile clubs to show up. I understand they did show up and conducted themselves very professionally.
The same scenario is likely to repeat in all of the Montana meetings. We have to show up and be heard.
These dates and times are set to allow most working folks to attend without missing work. No excuse not to show up. I will post more specific info on the meetings as we get closer to the actual date.
Here is detailed info on the upcoming Forest Service meetings re: Gt Burn:
Feb 21. St. Regis
5:00-7:00
St. Regis Community Center
230 Lobo Loop
Feb 22 Missoula
10:00-12:00
Northern Rockies Training Center
5765 W. Broadway
Feb 22, Hamilton
3:00-5:00
Bitterroot Forest Supervisors Office
1801 N. 1st St.
I can't stress enough, the value of attending these meetings. A small sacrifice of time could pay large long term benefits to the snowmobile community as a whole.
Please share this information with your fellow snowmobilers....only if they are interested in supporting a potential re-opening of the Great Burn, Beaver Ridge, and adjacent areas to snowmobiling.
Stan Spencer
Support the "NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE" with the following changes: Hoodoo area will be designated as 'semi-primitive motorized' instead of a RWA. Access would be limited to snowmobiles, snow bikes and Mtn bikes. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows RWA's will be eliminated. The reason for going with the NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE WITH CHANGES instead of going with alternative X is many snowmobile groups feel this is a fair designation for both motorized and non-motorized users that allows uses that will not diminish the wildness character of the area. The reason for eliminating the three RWA’s mentioned is they are “bolt on” areas to existing wilderness but do not have the characteristics to qualify for a future wilderness designation.
It is important to note WHY you support the above changes. Personally, I love the Great Burn for SCENERY, CHALLENGE, AND SOLITUDE. It is an area like no other in the lower 48 States. You certainly may have other reasons why you like the area. There are no other users in the high country in the winter season. There is no wildlife disturbance in the winter due to snow depth. When the snow melts, all trace of snowmobiling is erased. The reason for eliminating the North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot RWA‘s is they do not meet the Forest Service criteria for potential inclusion into the Wilderness preservation system. They are areas that had been historically accessed by snowmobilers for many years.
Depending upon the FS map you look at, North Fork Spruce-white Sands includes what we call "Beaver Ridge" area (includes Beaver Lake). Remember The FS designates all the Gt. Burn area as 'Hoodoo', not just the area north of Fish Lake. In the 'no action' alternative the Gt. Burn RWA stays the same size as it is today with none of the additional proposed RWA's that show up in Alt 'W' and 'Z'.
It might be helpful to add to your comments something along the line: we don't support a RWA designation, but do support protection of the Great Burn from any activity(s) that could impair the character of the area. Areas noted for RWA expansion in alternatives 'W' and 'Z' do not meet the criteria for Recommended Wilderness.
When I submit my presentation to the FS I'll go into the reasoning why we don't support a RWA designation. The above comment proposal is a combination of parts of (4) alternatives: No action, Alt X, Y and Z. The FS has encouraged a "mix and match" approach to build a final preferred alternative.
Several large organizations in both Mt. and Id. are aligned with BSP position which puts us in a strong unified position. I am not a spokesperson for those groups so I can't name them.
I would strongly suggest you go to the Clearwater NF Forest Plan Revision website and look at the DEIS maps of the alternatives to follow the rationale for the above comment proposal.
One thing I need to make clear. We are not supporting any RWA designation in our comment/proposal. However, there are some RWA's that are in the "NO ACTION" Alternative that are outside of our interest. You can see them on the maps in the DEIS. DO NOT COMMENT ON THOSE AREAS . Stay silent on them. Doing any comment along the line that states "we can't get there, or don't ride there so it's not an issue", could inadvertently be construed to show support for a future wilderness designation, regardless of location.
I have been thinking that people may not bother to comment on the Clearwater NF plan revision (Gt. Burn) due to the sheer enormity of the DEIS publication. I received a call last night that confirmed my suspicions. There is a means to get a thumbnail sketch of the DEIS. If you read the Executive Summary of the DEIS you can get a feel for the overall content. Keep in mind, alternative Z on page 11 does not mention snowmobiling and mtn bikes are allowed. This was confirmed to me by the forest planner. Hopefully they will publish an amendment.
Adding Comments To DEIS
The email to comment is: [email protected] This email lets you add your comment to an ‘e-collaborative’ where you can see and respond to other comments. When using this link you need to complete the subject line with the following : Collaborative information. Hoodoo (Great Burn area) .
The comment period has been extended to April 20. Keep your calendar open for the FS meetings in both Id. and Mt.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
You can get to the Forest Plan revision website using the following link: http://bit.ly/NezClearFPR . You can easily access the DEIS Index. If you click onto the 16 page Executive Summary you can get a thumbnail sketch of the alternatives offered and an oversight of the 2000 page DEIS. You can also scroll down the index and click onto the maps specific to the alternatives and see the areas I have suggested to comment on. The comment period closes April 20,2020.
If you don’t comment during this comment period, you are not eligible to comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) when it is released in about one year. The FEIS will be the preferred alternative the FS plans on going with.
Next issue: where do you find this information?
Google Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision Click on the header that highlights reviewing the forest plan using the 2012 forest planning rules scroll down to the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT and click onto it scroll down the index to EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. (it is 16 pages and you can probably get through it in about 15 min)
The Index will also allow you to look a certain aspects of the DEIS without reading all 2000 pages.
Getting engaged in the planning process is the only way we are going to regain access to the Great Burn riding area. That means EVERYONE needs to spend a bit of time and energy to make it happen.
The Forest Service public meeting dates are also noted in the above information. Showing up for these meetings in your respective areas is critical. The first Meeting was in Moscow, Id last Sat. The "Friends of the Clearwater", a wilderness advocate group, organized a turnout rally to oppose any potential motorized/mechanized uses in the Gt. Burn. Fortunately we got wind of it and Luke Bledsoe from Team Lochsa and a BSP member, rallied the local snowmobile clubs to show up. I understand they did show up and conducted themselves very professionally.
The same scenario is likely to repeat in all of the Montana meetings. We have to show up and be heard.
These dates and times are set to allow most working folks to attend without missing work. No excuse not to show up. I will post more specific info on the meetings as we get closer to the actual date.
Here is detailed info on the upcoming Forest Service meetings re: Gt Burn:
Feb 21. St. Regis
5:00-7:00
St. Regis Community Center
230 Lobo Loop
Feb 22 Missoula
10:00-12:00
Northern Rockies Training Center
5765 W. Broadway
Feb 22, Hamilton
3:00-5:00
Bitterroot Forest Supervisors Office
1801 N. 1st St.
I can't stress enough, the value of attending these meetings. A small sacrifice of time could pay large long term benefits to the snowmobile community as a whole.
Please share this information with your fellow snowmobilers....only if they are interested in supporting a potential re-opening of the Great Burn, Beaver Ridge, and adjacent areas to snowmobiling.
Stan Spencer
Comment on Nez-Perc Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision
My name is Stan Spencer. I am commenting on the Nez-Perc Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision. I am the President of Backcountry Sled Patriots (BSP). This comment represents the position of approx. 2000 snowmobiling members and another 2,800 associate members. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) speaks to four alternative approaches to managing the Great Burn and several additional management areas plus a “no-action” alternative. BSP does not consider itself to be qualified to speak authoritatively on suggested RWA areas outside of the current Great Burn (Hoodoo) RWA geographic boundaries and two smaller RWA areas: North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows . The DEIS suggests that components of the draft alternatives may be re-configured to develop a final alternative. BSP is not in favor of any Recommended Wilderness (RWA) designation because all RWA’s in Region one are being managed as Wilderness. BSP does not agree that management prescription follows the intent of the 2012 Forest Planning rules and in fact seems to be an end run around Congressional intent. The Great Burn (Hoodoo) is a special place that should be protected from any activities that would impair the physical characteristics that define it. All users, non-motorized and winter motorized, appreciate the area for the same reasons: CHALLENGE, SCENERY, SOLITUDE. The Great Burn (Hoodoo) is roughly 200,000 acres, depending upon which map is referenced. Approximately 20,000 acres, or 10%, can actually be accessed via snowmobile due to terrain restrictions. See attached map. Some of those restrictions include: too heavily timbered, too steep (rock cliffs) and many drainages get severely wind drifted making access impossible or at the least, impractical. One specific example: Williams Creek has a waterfall near the confluence of Frog Greek and Kelly Creek that makes through passage impossible via snowmobile because the sides of the narrow canyon at that spot are steep and timbered disallowing any bypass. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot meadows are more accessible via snowmobile. I would estimate approximately 50% of that RWA total is accessible.
BSP RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE : the current Hoodoo RWA acreage be reclassified as: SEMI-PRIMITIVE MOTORIZED. Access would be limited to snowmobiles, snow-bikes, and mtn bikes. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows RWA’s would be eliminated. A more appropriate designation might be primitive motorized however the ROS system as designed does not allow that experience (DEIS 3.4.2-22) The above re-classification for the HOODOO RWA will protect and preserve the physical characteristics of the area, yet allow a broader spectrum of uses. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows do not have significant attributes that qualify for RWA designation. When BSP examined the Record of Decision (ROD) for the current Travel Plan for the Clearwater National Forest one thing became apparent. The decision to prohibit all motorized activity in the Hoodoo RWA ultimately was based on SEGREGATION of users, not for any specified or quantified protective measures. In other words, the non-motorized users did not want any motorized users in that area. Not because of environmental impact, but because they simply don’t like them. That form of discrimination is not allowed in the work place. It is not allowed in business establishments serving the public. Yet it is being practiced on publicly owned lands. One consequence of segregating snowmobilers out of the high back country is it forces them into more concentrated user areas. An example would be Lolo Pass. This area has a number of groomed trails and many are shared with cross country skiers. Pushing more snowmobilers into that area can only raise the expectation of more user conflicts. There is a lot of language in the Travel Plan ROD referencing “SOCIAL VALUES”, which can lead to many interpretations, the most favored is “user conflict”. Subsequent to the 2012 Forest Planning rules being implemented a footnote (2) to a 2017 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated in part “we need not address the question of whether on-snow user conflicts are outside the scope of the agency’s required NEPA analysis entirely because they are “citizens’ subjective experiences” (Wild Wilderness V. Allen). in the case of snowmobiling in the HOODOO RWA how can any impact on social values, whatever that might entail, be quantified when the single user activity in the winter is (was) snowmobiling?. The time has come to DESGREGATE back country access. IT IS A TIME TO EMBRACE A TOLERANCE FOR RECREATIONAL PREFERENCES. WILDLIFE MYTH AND FACT IN THE GREAT BURN I snowmobiled in the Great Burn for 35 years (I’m 76 years old) before it was closed to snowmobiling. I am one of a handful of people who pioneered a snowmobile access route into the Williams Lake and Goat Lake areas. Myth: snowmobiles impact the mortality rate of Wolverines. FACT: Wolverines den in areas not accessible by natural predators, and by default, not accessible by snowmobiles. I have seen Wolverines (from a long distance), and Wolverine sign, in the back reaches of the Great Burn. They den in cliff or rugged access areas that are simply not even close to where a snowmobile might be able to access. I am not aware of any Wolverine study done in the winter season in the Great Burn which renders any assumptions about snowmobile impact in that area moot. Even if the proposed listing of the Wolverine as threatened or endangered were to materialize it would not change the FACT that there is NO SCIENTIFIC evidence snowmobiles are bothering Wolverines in the Great Burn. Much reference to Wolverine habitat and potential disturbance is based on modeling results, not actual study/finding FACTS. (DEIS 3.2.3.3-63) Myth: snowmobiles invade Goat winter habitat and impact the mortality rate of Mtn Goats. Fact: Mtn Goats winter range will be an area where they can find forage (DEIS 3.2.3.2-77) such as dried grasses and lichen as a food source. This will predicate areas that typically have less than two feet of snow depth. Snowmobiles need about five feet of snow to be able to travel on top of down fall and boulders etc. to access the high terrain back country. Fact: Goat winter ranges in the Great Burn have not been identified except for Land Owner Mt. (which is adjacent to the Great Burn). There is a small herd that winters on Land Owner Mtn. off the Forest Service road going to Hoodoo Pass. They are visible from that road and have readily adapted to snowmobile traffic. I have a picture of one in that area taken from my snowmobile and had to whistle several times to get him to stand up so I could get a better picture!. Fact: I have never seen a Mtn Goat or a Mtn Goat track while snowmobiling in the Great Burn over a 35 year period except on the Land Owner Mtn. winter range. I have never heard of anyone seeing a Mtn Goat while snowmobiling in the Great Burn except as noted above. Fact: Mtn Goat levels continue to decline at a higher rate in the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness than in the Great Burn RWA even though there is ZERO motorized activity allowed in the Bitterroot Selway. (DEIS 3.2.3.4-32). FACT: there is no scientific evidence of correlation between snowmobile activity and Mtn Goat mortality rates.
THE GREAT BURN SNOWMOBILE EXPERIENCE
The Great Burn really is the “last best place” to snowmobile in the lower 48 States (DEIS 3.4.2-22). The access into the three riding areas are all primitive non-groomed trails which in itself limits the number of riders willing to go into the pristine back country. It is not uncommon to enter an area and see no other snowmobile tracks. That is part of the “solitude” experience. Riding with a small group and not seeing any other riders all day is another part of the “solitude” experience. Being able to get into spectacular bowl configurations such as the headwaters of Frog Creek or the headwaters of Silver Creek are sights few snowmobilers (and summer users) get to see. Seeing them in the winter with the pristine snow contrasting with the rock formations is unbelievable. Climbing to the top of a ridge and being able to view wild country for miles in all directions is the “scenery” experience. It gives one the same sensory experience Lewis and Clark probably felt when they viewed this country from a high vantage point. The “challenge” of the area for snowmobilers can be just getting there. Some days the fresh snow depths have you, and your sled, working so hard you might only make a few miles. On good days being able to cut a line through the trees or being able to climb through a bowl to the top, follow a ridge line and then drop into another bowl or drainage on untracked snow is the Holy Grail of snowmobiling. And the residual beauty of this experience is: when the snow melts all trace of activity is gone.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the day it comes down to considering recreational uses to be allowed in the Great Burn that will not impair the WILDNESS of the area. It cannot be about considering user restrictions to satisfy only certain recreational user preferences. It comes down to considering impacts to wildlife based on FACTS and scientific studies, not modeling studies or assumed unproven impacts. IT COMES DOWN TO MANAGING PUBLIC LANDS FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE PUBLIC.
Stan Spencer
President
Backcountry Sled Patriots
406 544 0144
[email protected]
BSP RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE : the current Hoodoo RWA acreage be reclassified as: SEMI-PRIMITIVE MOTORIZED. Access would be limited to snowmobiles, snow-bikes, and mtn bikes. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows RWA’s would be eliminated. A more appropriate designation might be primitive motorized however the ROS system as designed does not allow that experience (DEIS 3.4.2-22) The above re-classification for the HOODOO RWA will protect and preserve the physical characteristics of the area, yet allow a broader spectrum of uses. North Fork Spruce-White Sands and Sneakfoot Meadows do not have significant attributes that qualify for RWA designation. When BSP examined the Record of Decision (ROD) for the current Travel Plan for the Clearwater National Forest one thing became apparent. The decision to prohibit all motorized activity in the Hoodoo RWA ultimately was based on SEGREGATION of users, not for any specified or quantified protective measures. In other words, the non-motorized users did not want any motorized users in that area. Not because of environmental impact, but because they simply don’t like them. That form of discrimination is not allowed in the work place. It is not allowed in business establishments serving the public. Yet it is being practiced on publicly owned lands. One consequence of segregating snowmobilers out of the high back country is it forces them into more concentrated user areas. An example would be Lolo Pass. This area has a number of groomed trails and many are shared with cross country skiers. Pushing more snowmobilers into that area can only raise the expectation of more user conflicts. There is a lot of language in the Travel Plan ROD referencing “SOCIAL VALUES”, which can lead to many interpretations, the most favored is “user conflict”. Subsequent to the 2012 Forest Planning rules being implemented a footnote (2) to a 2017 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated in part “we need not address the question of whether on-snow user conflicts are outside the scope of the agency’s required NEPA analysis entirely because they are “citizens’ subjective experiences” (Wild Wilderness V. Allen). in the case of snowmobiling in the HOODOO RWA how can any impact on social values, whatever that might entail, be quantified when the single user activity in the winter is (was) snowmobiling?. The time has come to DESGREGATE back country access. IT IS A TIME TO EMBRACE A TOLERANCE FOR RECREATIONAL PREFERENCES. WILDLIFE MYTH AND FACT IN THE GREAT BURN I snowmobiled in the Great Burn for 35 years (I’m 76 years old) before it was closed to snowmobiling. I am one of a handful of people who pioneered a snowmobile access route into the Williams Lake and Goat Lake areas. Myth: snowmobiles impact the mortality rate of Wolverines. FACT: Wolverines den in areas not accessible by natural predators, and by default, not accessible by snowmobiles. I have seen Wolverines (from a long distance), and Wolverine sign, in the back reaches of the Great Burn. They den in cliff or rugged access areas that are simply not even close to where a snowmobile might be able to access. I am not aware of any Wolverine study done in the winter season in the Great Burn which renders any assumptions about snowmobile impact in that area moot. Even if the proposed listing of the Wolverine as threatened or endangered were to materialize it would not change the FACT that there is NO SCIENTIFIC evidence snowmobiles are bothering Wolverines in the Great Burn. Much reference to Wolverine habitat and potential disturbance is based on modeling results, not actual study/finding FACTS. (DEIS 3.2.3.3-63) Myth: snowmobiles invade Goat winter habitat and impact the mortality rate of Mtn Goats. Fact: Mtn Goats winter range will be an area where they can find forage (DEIS 3.2.3.2-77) such as dried grasses and lichen as a food source. This will predicate areas that typically have less than two feet of snow depth. Snowmobiles need about five feet of snow to be able to travel on top of down fall and boulders etc. to access the high terrain back country. Fact: Goat winter ranges in the Great Burn have not been identified except for Land Owner Mt. (which is adjacent to the Great Burn). There is a small herd that winters on Land Owner Mtn. off the Forest Service road going to Hoodoo Pass. They are visible from that road and have readily adapted to snowmobile traffic. I have a picture of one in that area taken from my snowmobile and had to whistle several times to get him to stand up so I could get a better picture!. Fact: I have never seen a Mtn Goat or a Mtn Goat track while snowmobiling in the Great Burn over a 35 year period except on the Land Owner Mtn. winter range. I have never heard of anyone seeing a Mtn Goat while snowmobiling in the Great Burn except as noted above. Fact: Mtn Goat levels continue to decline at a higher rate in the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness than in the Great Burn RWA even though there is ZERO motorized activity allowed in the Bitterroot Selway. (DEIS 3.2.3.4-32). FACT: there is no scientific evidence of correlation between snowmobile activity and Mtn Goat mortality rates.
THE GREAT BURN SNOWMOBILE EXPERIENCE
The Great Burn really is the “last best place” to snowmobile in the lower 48 States (DEIS 3.4.2-22). The access into the three riding areas are all primitive non-groomed trails which in itself limits the number of riders willing to go into the pristine back country. It is not uncommon to enter an area and see no other snowmobile tracks. That is part of the “solitude” experience. Riding with a small group and not seeing any other riders all day is another part of the “solitude” experience. Being able to get into spectacular bowl configurations such as the headwaters of Frog Creek or the headwaters of Silver Creek are sights few snowmobilers (and summer users) get to see. Seeing them in the winter with the pristine snow contrasting with the rock formations is unbelievable. Climbing to the top of a ridge and being able to view wild country for miles in all directions is the “scenery” experience. It gives one the same sensory experience Lewis and Clark probably felt when they viewed this country from a high vantage point. The “challenge” of the area for snowmobilers can be just getting there. Some days the fresh snow depths have you, and your sled, working so hard you might only make a few miles. On good days being able to cut a line through the trees or being able to climb through a bowl to the top, follow a ridge line and then drop into another bowl or drainage on untracked snow is the Holy Grail of snowmobiling. And the residual beauty of this experience is: when the snow melts all trace of activity is gone.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the day it comes down to considering recreational uses to be allowed in the Great Burn that will not impair the WILDNESS of the area. It cannot be about considering user restrictions to satisfy only certain recreational user preferences. It comes down to considering impacts to wildlife based on FACTS and scientific studies, not modeling studies or assumed unproven impacts. IT COMES DOWN TO MANAGING PUBLIC LANDS FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE PUBLIC.
Stan Spencer
President
Backcountry Sled Patriots
406 544 0144
[email protected]
Should Snowmobiling be Stopped?
A recent Guest Column by Dale Harris (Feb 3, 2020) has prompted me to respond. The headline MAINTAIN WILDNESS OF MT-ID FORESTS (reference to the Great Burn area in the Clearwater National Forest) is absolutely aligned with my thinking. Couldn’t agree more. However, if you read the column carefully you would have no doubt that the unspoken or veiled part of his comments conveyed a message. “Maintain the Wildness only for one specific category of user”. The “wildness” character can be maintained and still support various users that do not diminish the character of the area. Snowmobiling is a good example of what I’m referring to. Virtually zero impact on the land. Once the snow melts all trace is removed. There is no user conflict in the high alpine areas in the winter because the only way to get to the areas is via snowmobile. I have snowmobiled the Great Burn since 1988 and have only seen back country skiers twice. In both cases they accessed the area via snowmobile.
Let’s talk about wildlife impact from snowmobiling. Mr. Harris suggests Goats and Wolverines are vulnerable to motorized disturbance (no factual evidence is provided). Goats need to eat in the winter. Their principal winter diet is grasses and liken. That limits their preference to winter in areas that have less than two feet of snow (the average length of a Goats leg is 22”). Snowmobiles can’t access the Great Burn unless there is about five feet of snow to cover rocks and deadfall. Snowmobiles just are not in Goat winter habitat areas. When the Great Burn was open for snowmobiling I had observed Wolverines, from a fairly long distance, in a couple of places. I do understand they need snow to make a ‘home’ for raising their young. The thing is they don’t do this out in open areas. They generally do this on steep cliff areas that are not accessible by man or machine. They can maneuver up or down on a rock face faster than any Mt. Goat. A snowmobile can’t get anywhere near a Wolverine den.
The Forest Service did a study of Wolverine disturbance in the Payette National Forest and the short version of the findings were: Wolverines are more disturbed by a skier than a snowmobile. The recently released Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) for the Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision compared Goat mortality rates in the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness (no motorized allowed) with the Great Burn when it was open to snowmobiling and found the mortality rate was much higher in the non-motorized area.
Past Montana studies have arrived at the same results. There is just no correlation between Goat mortality rates and snowmobile activity. I, and most of the snowmobile community, agree that Great Burn area should be protected. Protected from any activity that would diminish the “wildness” character of the area. Not protected from uses that certain groups simply don’t like.
Let’s talk about wildlife impact from snowmobiling. Mr. Harris suggests Goats and Wolverines are vulnerable to motorized disturbance (no factual evidence is provided). Goats need to eat in the winter. Their principal winter diet is grasses and liken. That limits their preference to winter in areas that have less than two feet of snow (the average length of a Goats leg is 22”). Snowmobiles can’t access the Great Burn unless there is about five feet of snow to cover rocks and deadfall. Snowmobiles just are not in Goat winter habitat areas. When the Great Burn was open for snowmobiling I had observed Wolverines, from a fairly long distance, in a couple of places. I do understand they need snow to make a ‘home’ for raising their young. The thing is they don’t do this out in open areas. They generally do this on steep cliff areas that are not accessible by man or machine. They can maneuver up or down on a rock face faster than any Mt. Goat. A snowmobile can’t get anywhere near a Wolverine den.
The Forest Service did a study of Wolverine disturbance in the Payette National Forest and the short version of the findings were: Wolverines are more disturbed by a skier than a snowmobile. The recently released Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) for the Clearwater National Forest Plan Revision compared Goat mortality rates in the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness (no motorized allowed) with the Great Burn when it was open to snowmobiling and found the mortality rate was much higher in the non-motorized area.
Past Montana studies have arrived at the same results. There is just no correlation between Goat mortality rates and snowmobile activity. I, and most of the snowmobile community, agree that Great Burn area should be protected. Protected from any activity that would diminish the “wildness” character of the area. Not protected from uses that certain groups simply don’t like.