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Forest plans ignore ‘quiet’ recreation

Sierra Club supports both motorized and non-motorized recreation on Minnesota’s National Forests, and insists on zones and enforcement

The proposed plans for Chippewa and Superior National Forests present a recreation plan for our cherished forests. People who enjoy motorized recreation (motorboats, ATVs, etc.) will be able to use more lakes and trails in both forests. But Minnesotans who enjoy wild forests or quiet recreation (skiing, hiking, etc.) will find fewer places where they cannot hear revving engines.

Noisy forest recreation

Quiet forest recreation

The proposed plan would:

  • Build 90 miles of ATV trails in both forests, and 130 miles of Superior National Forest snowmobile trails.
  • Allow cross-country ATV access for hunting and trapping.
  • In Chippewa National Forest, ATVs would not be allowed to use sensitive logging roads. In Superior, they would. Restrictions would only be enforced with a ‘open unless posted close’ policy that would reward vandals for removing signs.
  • The proposed plan would build new landings and roads to many lakes and rivers that don't have motorized access. There are no campsites by non-motorized lakes.
  • The Forest Service has relegated decisions about ATV regulation to site-specific plans to be done later, avoiding forest-wide study of cumulative impacts.
    		•  The plans need to improve:
    • Separate non-motorized areas: dirt bikes and four-wheelers may be able to drive on roads in 99¾% of Superior National Forest outside the BWCA. The Forest Service should manage areas for quiet recreation.
    • Additional enforcement: each National Forest has only a few enforcement officers, to cover millions of acres. Other National Forests have experienced flaunting of ATV restrictions because of lax enforcement.
    • Special areas need protection: none of the last remaining roadless areas or high-quality native forests appears to be protected in the proposed plan from erosion, rutting, noise, and uprooting that accompany ATVs.

    Why promote both quiet and ATV recreation?

    ̃ ATV access benefits riders, but degrades many others’ vacation or recreation experience. Quiet sports benefit hundreds of thousands, but do not have detrimental impacts on others. Fewer than 3% of Minnesotans own ATVs.

    ̃ Non-motorized areas are necessary for people to enjoy natural forests without the permits and physical demands of a wilderness trip.

    ̃ Private campgrounds, cabin owners, and non-motorized recreation businesses will also be impacted by noise.

    ̃ Zoning to assign areas for motorized and non-motorized users will make enforcement easier, and will clarify expectations of the public.

    ̃ Why should every new technology and vehicle be allowed on public lands? The presumption must be that the lands are protected.