For Immediate Release
February 23, 2006

Contact Information

Laramie--Backcountry areas on the Medicine Bow National Forest were stripped of protection today as the Chief of the Forest Service in Washington, D.C. decided to lift restrictions on motorized use in nonmotorized recreation areas.

Already, motorized use is allowed on 696,880 acres of the Medicine Bow National Forest in the wintertime, nearly 70% of the entire forest. Motorized use is allowed on over 800,000 acres of the Medicine Bow National Forest in the summer, or around 75% of the entire forest. The Chief's decision today came in response to complaints from motorized user groups that not enough of the Medicine Bow National Forest was open to motorized use, including snowmobiling. Today's decision responds to these complaints by eliminating 112,223 acres designated as nonmotorized recreation areas. Motorized use is now allowed on 809,133 acres in the winter and over 850,000 in the summer, or over 75% of the 1.1 million acre Medicine Bow National Forest.

"To say there's not enough areas open to motorized use on the Medicine Bow is like saying there's not enough windy days in Wyoming," said Jeremy Nichols with Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. "The Chief's decision is unfortunately a huge step backward for wildlife and nonmotorized recreation on the Bow."

As part of the adoption of the Revised Forest Plan for the Medicine Bow National Forest, the Regional Forester in Denver decided in 2004 to establish nonmotorized recreation areas and to require snowmobile use only on trails in certain areas. These areas were to be managed to promote nonmotorized recreation, as well as to protect sensitive wildlife and plants that could be harmed by motorized use. Although comprising only 112,223 acres, or around 10% of the entire Forest, motorized users complained that there was no need to protect wildlife or nonmotorized users.

According to the Forest Service, nonmotorized recreationists comprise the vast majority of users of the Medicine Bow National Forest.  A 2003 study found that nearly 10 times as many people use the forest for nonmotorized recreation, such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, and cross country skiing, than for motorized recreation.

"This decision sacrifices the most important values of the Medicine Bow National Forest--its wildlife and its backcountry," said Nichols. "It's unfortunate the Chief can't do the math."

The Chief's decision effectively lifts restrictions on snowmobiling and motorized use in nonmotorized recreation areas. The result will be fewer areas available for nonmotorized recreation and increased risks to wildlife, like pine marten and lynx, on the Bow. Conservationists have vowed to fight the decision.

The Forest Service's decision is online at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/includes/mb_decision.pdf. For more information, contact Biodiversity Conservation Alliance.

Jeremy Nichols, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, (303) 454-3370

Roadless Areas Stripped of Protection on the Bow
Because of Forest Service Chief's Decision

February 24, 2006

The Chief's decision overturning parts of the long-range management plan for the Medicine Bow National Forest, or the Forest Plan, affected two types of management areas--"Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized Recreation," which comprise 63,067 acres, and "Forested Flora or Fauna Habitats, Limited Snowmobiling," which comprise 49,156 acres.  The "Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized Recreation Areas" prohibited motorized use and within the "Forested Flora or Fauna Habitats, Limited Snowmobiling," snowmobile use was relegated only to designated routes.  The Chief's decision lifted prohibitions on motorized use within "Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized Recreation" Areas and restrictions on snowmobile use in "Forested Flora or Fauna Habitats, Limited Snowmobiling" Areas.

Because of the Chief's decision, several roadless areas on the Medicine Bow National Forest are now at risk.  Roadless areas are pristine, backcountry areas that have remained undeveloped for decades.  Illegal motorized use has plagued many roadless areas on the Bow, leading to the creation of numerous illegal vehicle routes and illegal off-road vehicle use.  While the long range management plan for the Medicine Bow National Forest sought to protect roadless areas from illegal motorized use, the Chief's decision actually promotes this use.   Here is list of some of the affected roadless areas, with more information available on our website at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/mbnf/pubs/rdls/rdls.html:

Bear Mountain Roadless Area (9,426 acres)--Located in the eastern Sierra Madre Range, this roadless area qualifies for Congressional wilderness protection comprises and was designated for Backcountry, Year-Round Nonmotorized Recreation.  Illegal off-road vehicle use has been a problem in this area and many illegally created routes exist, partly due to the abundance of roads surrounding the area.  The Chief's decisions now promotes future creation of illegal vehicle routes and promotes the use of illegally created routes.

East Fork of the Encampment River Roadless Area (7,429 acres)--Located in the southern Sierra Madre, motorized use has been restricted (although not entirely prohibited) in this area for many years.  This area is a gem, with the East Fork of the Encampment River flowing through it and a thriving elk herd.  It qualifies for Congressional wilderness protection.  It was also designated for Backcountry, Year-Round Nonmotorized Recreation. Many user-created ATV trails have been blazed in this area.  Like with Bear Mountain, the Forest Plan prohibited such illegal use.

Illinois Creek Roadless Area (6,707 acres)--Located to the southeast of the Platte River Wilderness in the Snowy Range, this area too has been plagued by illegal off-road motorized use.  It was designated for Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized Recreation, but qualifies for Congressional wilderness protection.  While the only roads within Illinois Creek are illegal, the Chief's decision now allows motorized use of these roads.

Laramie Peak Roadless Area (28,577 acres)--Located in the Laramie Mountains and containing Laramie Peak, this area also contains illegally created ATV trails and routes.  The Laramie Peak Roadless Area was initially proposed for Congressional wilderness protection through the proposed plan, but later given the protection as a Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized Recreation Area.  In a letter to the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal supported the designation of this area as Backcountry, Year-round Nonmotorized.