February 29, 2000

Environmental Group Says Gallatin Snowmobile Trespass Shows Pattern of Abuse

Bozeman, MT

The Native Forest Network is asking the Forest Service for an investigation into a pattern of repeated snowmobile trespass in Gallatin National Forest Wilderness areas. According to Phil Knight, Yellowstone Representative for the Native Forest Network, "Snowmobilers on the Gallatin National Forest consistently disregard Wilderness boundaries and run their machines where they are not allowed by law. They also go places that are specifically closed for wildlife security." Knight bases his allegations on direct observations he and others in the area have made. Snowmobiles and all other types of gas-powered machinery are illegal in designated Wilderness areas, according to the 1964 Wilderness Act.

Knight cites the following incidents of snowmobile trespass he has personally witnessed:

* February 20 and 21, 2000: Sage Creek drainage, Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Monument Mountain Unit. A sign at the trailhead clearly states that the trail into Sage Creek, #11, is closed to snowmobiles, yet there were many tracks going right by the sign. The Wilderness boundary is about 6 miles in, and snowmobile tracks continue at least 2 miles into the Wilderness.

* February, 1999: Tepee Creek, Gallatin Range, just north of Yellowstone Park: Hundreds of snowmobile tracks crisscrossing the
drainage, which is not Wilderness, but is permanently closed to snowmobile use for wildlife security. The snowmobilers ride over the ridge from upper Buffalo Horn and cruise all over the Tepee basin, avoiding the trailhead area, which is posted.

* June, 1998: Upper Bacon Rind Creek, Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Monument Mountain Unit. Many old tracks were evident in spring snow.
Snowmobilers ride out of upper Tepee Creek, past the Wilderness Boundary sign, and into the remote head of Bacon Rind.

* Many incidents in the '80s and '90s, in the Beartooth Mountains near Cooke City, where we saw snowmobile tracks in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. This trespass is well documents, especially in the Goose Lake and Lake Abundance areas.

 "There is no reason for this trespass to occur. Snowmobilers have plenty of places to ride without impacting the Wilderness" said Knight. If I saw this many tracks, you can bet there are thousands more such incidents every winter."

"Snowmobilers' blatant disregard for Wilderness boundaries degrades the wilderness experience for those of us who enjoy solitude and untracked snow, and impacts wildlife which is already stressed by the hardships of winter survival." said Knight.

Knight continued, "This problem is becoming more severe with ever more people riding more powerful machines into more remote areas. If one rider goes into the Wilderness, he or she leaves a track which others then follow. Wilderness means nothing if there are machines all over it. Far too little of our public land is set aside from motor vehicle noise and pollution as it is - our Wilderness areas must be protected and respected."

The Native Forest Network has asked that the Hebgen Lake Ranger District, along with the rest of the Gallatin Forest, embark on a program of snowmobiler education and increased Wilderness patrol and law
enforcement.

Phil Knight
Native Forest Network, Yellowstone Branch
Last Refuge Campaign
PO Box 6151
Bozeman, MT 59771-6151
(406) 586-3885
pknight@wildrockies.org