Fight over snowmobiles on public lands
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
Insisting peaceful winter sports are increasingly being disrupted by noisy snowmobiles, critics are asking the government to alter the way the machines are managed on national forest land.
Snowmobile groups say the petition filed by a coalition of 90 conservation and recreation groups is an attempt to unfairly restrict their sport with unnecessary regulations.
The dispute is the latest example of mounting conflicts between those favoring motorized play on public land and others who insist the practice is bothersome and environmentally damaging.
“We acknowledge that snowmobiles are a popular winter use and that they have their place,” said Mark Menlove, executive director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Boise, Idaho-based group leading the effort.
Snowmobiles and all other motorized of road vehicles should be banned from the Tahoe basin. “Members insist snowmobiles produce many of the same problems as other motorized vehicles, including impacts on air and water quality, soil, wildlife and “the ecology of entire winter ecosystems.”
This statement is true and as with other motorized vehicles, one idiot ignoring rules and regulations as far as snow depth can do permenant damage in a matter of seconds, as evident in a meadow I visit year round!!
So because one person is an idiot you want to penalize all other snowmobilers? The public land is PUBLIC land. Hikers are not more worthy people than snowmobilers. In fact, part of the licensing fee goes toward maintaining those lands that hikers access for FREE. Share the trails, Dude.
I’ve ridden and enjoyed snomachines, but it’s silly to pretend they are not motorized vehicles. They clearly are motorized and yet the FS is treating them like they are not. The broad coalition of non-motorized users are just asking for a recognition of this basic fact.
Public Land is public land until you want to use it. Then, it seems, there are lots of rules and regulations and people who don’t want ‘the public’ to use the land.
Land which belongs to the government belongs to us, the People of the United States of America. Why are we told we cannot tread on Public Land?
I do, however, agree that snomobiles and other motorized vehicles can and do cause damage to these lands, particularly when used by people who do not appreciate the delicate balance of nature. Some of us learned how to not cause injury or damage to our surroundings. Perhaps some lessons are in order??
As long as they are not on the same trail as pedestrians, and they make sure the snow is deep enough, so they don’t do permanent damage, then they should still have some areas around here.
Some time ago I rode a snowmobile up Angora road to the Angora Lakes parking lot. From there we snowshoed up to the lakes. Point is, I could hardly believe the animosity we were treated to by the skiers and snowshoers on the way up there. We were extremely considerate of their space and safety, and they still glared at us and made gestures. I mean, we were on a ROAD! Some people think they are entitled to more rights than others.
Whatever floats your boat…..
tank tracks,snowshoes,bikes,4wheel drives,sea planes,off road cylces with loud two cycle engines,it’s all bad stuff,they even go after horses….
There’s always something secreted out these devices besides the people relieving themselfs in front the wife ,kids.
Anybody who has ever cut trail on snowshoes knows about packed snowmobile tracks making for a much easier hike.
Amen, Perry!
Good point about breaking the trail for the snowshoer’s