Who's frustrated with the closure of the extended snowmobile season on the Flathead National Forest? My understanding is the closure begins March 15th. The grizzly bear denning time frame is deemed to be between November 15th through March 15th. This closure was decided by Judge Mulloy based on this data and the supposed intentions of the Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately for snowmobilers this decision was made earlier this year before the release of the grizzly bear DNA study. The conclusions of this study prove that the grizzly bear population in Northwest Montana is healthy and has exceeded population expectations for the area. Are there any appeals in place for the early closure and the possibility of this decision being suspended? I myself would like to continue snowmobiling on the FNF past March 15th and not have to travel elsewhere to extend my season.
Frustration with extended season on FNF?
- Thread starter hainesrx
- Start date
H
1 would like to know also, this effects some of my best riding, know anyone with saws they might be able to find out if appeals have been filled, if the decision was made with faulty data then it could be overruled
i beleive its getting pushed pretty hard to get reversed, but thats all hersay from buddies in the flathead, oh well, see how she goes, im gonna be down in butte for the later part of the season.
M
At our last meeting the F.W.P. and U.S. F.S. said they have a plan to re-butt the ruling. They didn't say any specifics , but seemed very optimistic about their plan? They seemed it would be overturned??? Let's hope. Anything we can do...
H
did they say if it was this year or when they get around to it??
seems to me that either one of these outfits do anything in a TIMELY manner
seems to me that either one of these outfits do anything in a TIMELY manner
hiline does this effect skyland? please...say it aint so!!!!
skyalnd is in the flathead drainage, so im pretty dang sure it does effect it. what is it, the middle fork??
FU^&!!!!!! oh well ill ride anyways.......
H
yes, it does include skyland, and of course any place else that might be worth ridin in
This is being actively worked on, and actually the FS here does NOT agree with this ruling. I spoke with several folks from the FS this summer, and they were fairly confident that they could come up with what was needed to reverse that ruling (this season). This also came from one of the more "green" person's that has some clout within the FS.....so I took it as a positive that this person was even pushing to change that ruling (and the Rangers think it's BS).
R
CatWoman is spot on with the FS's stance on this ruling. I've talked at length with Rob Carlin, the Planning Staff Officer and Joe Kruger, the FS's Litigation Specialist. Rob totally disagrees with the ruling and hopes to have it changed before March 15th.
He also made it clear that the judge will not be able to throw out the Biological Opinion (the DNA study that shows a healthy population WITH extended spring openings) and should make an appropriate decision.
We can only hope!
H
i still don't know where malloy gets off saying it bothers the bears, if they are under 10ft of snow they are not coming out of their den in the first place
yeah, he just descides things based of what greenies tell him, glad to see the FS doesnt like this ruling. Lets just hope they can get things rolling before March 15, thats SO freakin early..... 3 1/2 months of riding??? i rode 9 months this season!!!! Nov-Jun, and then again in october this year!!!i still don't know where malloy gets off saying it bothers the bears, if they are under 10ft of snow they are not coming out of their den in the first place
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