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If it happens again we may lose access to another riding area 
Not sure if the riding up there is any good or not, but I hate to see us losing more places to ride due to people not following the rules. This is in the Newport/Ione area, north of Spokane.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 5, 2009
Contact: Mike Borysewicz 509-446-7500
FS CLOSES SNOWMOBILE ROUTE
The Colville National Forest has closed the Harvey Creek Road (Forest Road 1935) to snowmobiles for the rest of this season (Forest Order No. 09-05-01). This action was necessary because Forest officials found snowmobile tracks behind the gate on a closed side road; Forest Road 1935024, which is closed year-round (Forest Order No. 91-05-08). A few snowmobilers drove around the gate in an attempt to climb Molybdenite Ridge, which is closed to snowmobiling. The ridge provides habitat for woodland caribou; an endangered species. Off-road snowmobiling on high-elevation ridges in caribou habitat can bring machines into contact with the animals. Animals may become stressed if they are approached too closely. They may run and burn up energy reserves they will need to survive the winter. Consistent snowmobile use may cause caribou to abandon portions of a ridge or an entire ridge system altogether.
In 2007, the Colville National Forest (CNF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) entered into an agreement to prevent snowmobile use on Molybdenite Ridge before it becomes established. If snowmobile tracks are detected on the ridge or on closed roads in the area, the Harvey Creek Road will be closed for the remainder of the winter. If violations occur over three consecutive years, the CNF will confer with the USFWS about the need to permanently close the Harvey Creek Road to snowmobiles.
Last year, the Forest Service informed snowmobilers about the need to curtail illegal riding that has occurred on Molybdenite Ridge. Forest officials talked with each of the local snowmobile groups, published news articles, and posted signs. Snowmobilers respected the closure until late in the season, when a few individuals accessed the north side of the ridge for high-marking. The violation of the closure this year is the “second strike” after last year’s violations.
The Colville National Forest requests that snowmobilers get the word out about respecting road closures. If riders stay on the open routes in the area there is no reason why the Harvey Creek Road, which is presently not groomed, couldn’t become a groomed route. The future of snowmobile use on the road ultimately rests with the snowmobile riding community.
If you have any questions or comments please contact District Ranger John Buehler, (509) 447-7300 or Wildlife Biologist Mike Borysewicz, 509-446-7500.
Not sure if the riding up there is any good or not, but I hate to see us losing more places to ride due to people not following the rules. This is in the Newport/Ione area, north of Spokane.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 5, 2009
Contact: Mike Borysewicz 509-446-7500
FS CLOSES SNOWMOBILE ROUTE
The Colville National Forest has closed the Harvey Creek Road (Forest Road 1935) to snowmobiles for the rest of this season (Forest Order No. 09-05-01). This action was necessary because Forest officials found snowmobile tracks behind the gate on a closed side road; Forest Road 1935024, which is closed year-round (Forest Order No. 91-05-08). A few snowmobilers drove around the gate in an attempt to climb Molybdenite Ridge, which is closed to snowmobiling. The ridge provides habitat for woodland caribou; an endangered species. Off-road snowmobiling on high-elevation ridges in caribou habitat can bring machines into contact with the animals. Animals may become stressed if they are approached too closely. They may run and burn up energy reserves they will need to survive the winter. Consistent snowmobile use may cause caribou to abandon portions of a ridge or an entire ridge system altogether.
In 2007, the Colville National Forest (CNF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) entered into an agreement to prevent snowmobile use on Molybdenite Ridge before it becomes established. If snowmobile tracks are detected on the ridge or on closed roads in the area, the Harvey Creek Road will be closed for the remainder of the winter. If violations occur over three consecutive years, the CNF will confer with the USFWS about the need to permanently close the Harvey Creek Road to snowmobiles.
Last year, the Forest Service informed snowmobilers about the need to curtail illegal riding that has occurred on Molybdenite Ridge. Forest officials talked with each of the local snowmobile groups, published news articles, and posted signs. Snowmobilers respected the closure until late in the season, when a few individuals accessed the north side of the ridge for high-marking. The violation of the closure this year is the “second strike” after last year’s violations.
The Colville National Forest requests that snowmobilers get the word out about respecting road closures. If riders stay on the open routes in the area there is no reason why the Harvey Creek Road, which is presently not groomed, couldn’t become a groomed route. The future of snowmobile use on the road ultimately rests with the snowmobile riding community.
If you have any questions or comments please contact District Ranger John Buehler, (509) 447-7300 or Wildlife Biologist Mike Borysewicz, 509-446-7500.
