Johnston

Environment -- Issues

I am at Snowy Range 50 times a year, summer, & winter. I see no environmental problems in this area.
We saw a tractor-trailer by the [air quality] environmental test unit. Kinda puts a kink in the test.
Wildlife impacts & impacts on high alpine environment should be documented. If users continue to ignore problems once they are identified, then regulations, travel limitations etc. need to be enforced. Groups need to self-police; otherwise, someone else will do it.
I am concerned that the issue of animal harassment has been blown out of proportion we are all concerned but lets be realistic about the issue truthfully
Increased noise & air pollution from snowmobile use is detrimental to many species of plants & wildlife. This is why it is critical to preserve wild areas where no mechanized travel is allowed.
What issue? I have walked not driven over snowmobile trails and haven't seen a bent blade of grass. No one owning an $8000 machine will run over a tree on purpose. The hikers and mountain bikers tear up more then snowmobiles.
In the Snow West Magazine, there was a story on the air test machine and they wrote that all tests were lower than the environmentalists had predicted.
Snow sports in the high country are some of the safest for wildlife.
Big game is not in the area in the winter.
There is no impact on wildlife on the mtn. in the winter. At low altitude skiers really scare the wildlife
Living in Wyo all my life (44 yrs.) I have never seen any impacts on wildlife @ 8,000 - 10,000 feet & as most of the snowmobiling is in our mt. Snow melts, tracks go away same as skis & snow shoes. Work on forcing manufacturers to improve air quality as they drive the train on engines!
The good thing about winter sports is that they happen on top of the snow, which is temporary. Tracks in the snow don't harm a thing in the world. They just make people happy & that's what it's all about. Snowmobiling & skiing are wholesome sports & I would like to see both of them in the Snowy Range for many, many years to come.
Honestly, in 10 yrs. I have rarely encountered more than birds when backcountry snowmobiling. I have seen more wildlife (but not much) while cross-country skiing, but keep in mind this was done at lower altitude where the wildlife winters. Damage to trees & ground would be a personal responsibility that we all need to be aware of. Fuel & exhaust issues need to be addressed, but, are really not huge.
I have not seen any impact because most wildlife moves to lower lands for the winter and all others move to areas that are banned.
Anyone that has been outdoors much, knows that most all wildlife is not in the areas that snowmobiles are ridden. The snow is too marginal to ride where the wildlife is.
In 20+ years of snowmobiling, I have seen no adverse environmental effects. Wildlife coexists with motorized recreation
I have been using the forest for 36 years. I have seen more damage from hikers and campers than from snowmobilers. Most wildlife winters at lower elevations, and is not even a valid concern up top in the winter. I see more trash left by summer users than the winter use. All the snowmobilers we know are very careful, because they don't want to give the enviro's any reason to shut the area down. Being a native Wyoming outdoorsman, I do more work in the environment and care more about our state than the imported tree huggers that are searching for a cause.
Concerned about: air quality, noise pollution
I am concerned about air quality, not only in the forest but in the surrounding areas due to pollution created by use in the forest. Motorized vehicle use on the forest needs to be reduces, whether it is restricting all vehicles to set trails & road or reduced [sic] the areas where open vehicle use is allowed. Are there impacts of motorized traffic (winter) on animals - small mammals in frost zone & birds in general.
I am very concerned about the effects of all motorized traffic on soils & delicate vegetation & wildlife. The noise can seriously disturb animals & birds that winter in the forest.
Care must be taken so winter uses do not destroy habitat or disturb animals. I enjoy seeing bears & mtn lion in the summer and don't want then to leave because of winter damage.
Lack of education & honest publicity & facts, up to date data supporting any claims
People need to appreciate wildlife & the different means to view - & not limit peoples ability
People need to be more educated on what to do when faced with wildlife face to face
During the summer, we hike & bike into the areas that we use snowmobiling. I do not see any damage.
I worry that snowmobiles negatively impact water quality & air quality.
Do snowmobiles pack down the snow in a way that negatively affects small mammals etc that "tunnel" underneath in winter?
No concerns. We see no wildlife in the winter at Snowy Range.
Snowmobiles on private property because of lack of parking. Snowmobiles in wilderness areas!
I see no problems with the environment at snowy range. I have been coming to the Snowies for 25 years. The area is so big for the amount of people using it they don't effect the environment
Are snowmobiles in compliance with current clean air regs? If so, a non-issue, if not should be an issue.
Will any human activity be allowed?
Alpine areas are especially sensitive to motorized vehicle caused resource damage; prohibit mot. vehicles in alpine areas.
Having been a snowmobiler for a good number of years and also a summer forest user I have not seen any environmental damage from snowmobiles to the forest. Of course, there are some people who don't pack out their trash or who occasionally leave a mess but I don't believe that snowmobiles pose a major environmental issue.
60% of the backcountry I ride in (South Brush Creek, Campbell Lake, & south west of Turpin Reservoir) I horseback & hunt during the summer & fall/ I have never seen evidence of snowmachine use in these areas after the snow is gone. In 30 years of riding sleds in these areas I have probably seen 6-8 tracks from large wildlife, 2-3 martins, & dozens of mice. The wildlife issue is one in lower alt. areas & generally in areas where snowmobiling is neither feasible or fun. Many of these lower areas are signed as being wildlife management areas.
What is the situation? If you are inferring that snowmobile users are damaging the environment, I beg to differ. There is no proof that snow pack is damaged - to the contrary - packed snow remains on the ground longer thus providing a longer snow melt. If you think wildlife is endangered then please show me where the animal life is at 9-13,000 ft. If air pollution is your issue, there is NO proof that snowmobiles affect either the air or water once they are dispersed in the backcountry.
My concern is that too much weight will be given public opinion and too little weight will be given scientific research and empirical data. Studies should count more than opinions regarding the environment.
I'm concerned that radical decisions will be made based on personal opinion and/or inaccurate data or too little data. We need to do the proper studies, collect adequate data (over a period of time), and make very educated decisions. Because, any decision will have a huge impact on a great number of people who really love these sports.
Environment? Wildlife doesn't seem to be much of a issue have not seen a lot of wildlife above 9000 ft in the winter in the Snowies been up here about 20 years
I am concerned about the pollution especially around the Green Mountain area where there are so many snowmobilers & cars that are parked around the area. The wildlife doesn't seem to be that impacted. They will move to areas farther into the forest.
Air and noise pollution are detrimental to both wildlife, including game and plants, and humans recreating in the Forest. I would advocate the highest protection for the most sensitive alpine areas. The USFS should restrict snowmobiles to roads and less-sensitive micro-ecosystems. I am also concerned about spilled fuel and oil, especially near Green Rock parking.
The air quality issue at Green Rock is a scientific farce. You are measuring everything in that valley including skiers' cars, road plowing, lodge transport & fires. Our air quality far exceeds the rest of the country even in that valley.
As extreme as some snowmobilers are, Biodiversity is ten times worse!
I'm concerned about the snowmobiling practice of "mudslinging" - snowmobiling on thin snow in fragile alpine areas. Damage to the vegetation & soils could be irreversibly harmed.
I have never seen wildlife bothered by sleds or skiers.
Litter. Two stroke oilcans are litter and so are cigarette butts. Snow machines on bare ground during early and late season and over wind blown areas.
I would like to see the National Forest become and remain just that; a FOREST with the largest, healthiest native species populations, activities that infringe on this process are cheating everyone citizen of this nation.
Snowmobiling, little or no impact on environment. Has been proven many times through many studies.
Sensitive trees need protection; alpine tundra; flora exposed and vulnerable to abuse (e.g. Willows run over by snowmachines or trampled on by skiers or snowshoers); stress on animals due to increased use; pollution from cars, trucks, snowmachines; aesthetic quality of outdoor experience protected (have opportunity for experience away from machines, large groups of people).
Impact of roads, traffic, snowmobiles on wildlife habitat and forest ecology
Emissions created by snowmobiles & vehicle traffic
Noise pollution created by cars & snowmobiles
I'm tired of being an outlaw. When I use the Forest & want to use it; not wonder what law I may be breaking. I enjoy motorized use because of physical limitations. I'm also an environmentalist. I want to preserve the wide-open spaces to enjoy again & again.
Loud sleds (even a sledder thinks so); made up claims by environmental groups to scare the public; skiers have "fires" with cut down trees; not enough good scientific evidence to support anything.
The environmental impacts of too many snowmobiles and snowmobiles operating before there is enough snow and hitting sensitive areas is my main concern. I realize we don't have all the "facts" or science yet, but the solution is not to wait 10 years but to use "common sense." I have seen or smelled problems: damage to vegetation, air pollution, noise pollution. I suspect impacts on some wildlife species (not game species).
We need to separate skiers from snowmobilers. Both parties need to get along!
Too much pollution from 2 cycle snow vehicles & cars @ Green Rock turn-around area; loud noise & crowding (same area)
Disturbance of wildlife.
Impact of snowmobiles on tundra blown free of snow
Impact of snowmobiles on habitat of winter wildlife
Impact of snowmobiles on air quality
Impact of snowmobiles on water quality
Air pollution
Snowmobiles in alpine tundra areas where the snow cover is low
Impacts on subnivean activity where snowmobile trails are compacting the snow. A lot of rodents and some micro/macro biota are active under the snowpack. They rely on the temperature gradients & depth hoar. If snowmobile compactions decrease soil temps, could be major consequences.
Reducing: water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, wildlife endangerment.
I've lived in Albany Co. for most of my adult life. I used to enjoy wildlife photography & haven't bothered for the last few winters because there are no more Ptarmigan on Brown's Peak/ no longer see Fishers, Martens. Monitor raptors. The owls are gone! Also, I've noticed trees that are probably several centuries old that are now damaged by being run over. These are very high altitude trees & they grow slowly. I've also noticed large patches of lichens, brush, & alpine flora that appear to have had fuel dumped on them. Also - what is killing the trees & other flora along the 500 Road from Albany up to the Douglas where it meets Rob Roy?? Has anyone with the USFS looked at this??
Direct physical impact to sensitive vegetation - Alpine, sub alpine
Indirect impact to wildlife via noise & extended use during early & late winter
FS not adequately evaluating resource damage effects on vegetation & wildlife
Not adequately enforcing resource damage effects
Impacts on specific species - denning bears, ptarmigan, martens
Effects of 2 cycle pollution on air & vegetation
# of elk seen to be diminishing in Lake Owen & Sheep Mtn. areas. The sound of snowmobiles in Albany carries this far. Is there a connection?

None. Snowmobiles stay out of Wilderness Areas.
Some Forest Service recreation personnel would like to promote this as a problem without regard to science or integrity.
The "environment" of the Medicine Bow, especially the Snowy Range = unique and extremely fragile. It has already been destroyed partially. The rare high-altitude animal - and plant life, once it is destroyed, i.e. species become extinct; it will never come back. Saving this unique, fragile, and irreplaceable natural treasure should be #1 priority of all users of the Medicine Bow. Let's keep the Medicine Bow beautiful & wild as it was.
2-cycle engines; gas leaking all over; noise pollution
I believe that in the winter there are no significant harmful or negative impacts to the environment. I believe that trying to make environment an issue is divisive and agenda oriented.
Off road travel in the Snowies: According to the FS, approximately 1,400 miles of roads are open for travel in the Snowy Range. Let us confine ourselves to those travel opportunities! No off-road travel on the Snowy Range by anybody who is motorized.
Have not seen any impact on the environment. When the snow's gone so are the tracks. If not for a machine I couldn't enjoy the beauty. Leave us enjoy.
Major damage to vegetation from snowmobiling
Air pollution from snowmobiles exceeds EPA/NAAQS
Wildlife are adversely affected by snowmobiling
Noise from snowmobiles is way too high
Snowmobiles in natural area
Unpleasant air quality - tracks & noise for non-motorized users
Snowmobiles have no measurable impact on the environment as long as they stay on the snow. So I see no issue here.
White-tailed ptarmigans, boreal toad, subnivian species, impacts to soils and vegetation, pine martin, water quality, air quality
Getting emotional about plants & animals & their protection when users really don't have an impact on them
Environmental issues for snowmobilers are a moot point. Sleds meet current EPA guides for emissions and noise. Since sleds ride on top of the snow, no terrain damage is possible.
I've seen many years when snowmobiles are out too early on only a skiff of snow. This tears up the terrain.
The air quality suffers horribly from snowmobile engines
The noise is awful and goes against everything we go to the mountains for, detracts fro the peacefulness.
Areas of the forest with over-riding factors such as wilderness, winter range, sensitive plant and wetland communities must be protected from damage. A season based on snow cover could be used for motorized and even non-motorized use in these areas.
What are impacts of snowmobiles on: goshawks, snowshoe hares, moose, vegetation?
Motorized recreation over the full forest is the expectation of many users. The regs for use needs to be posed and displayed at more points.
The potential for watershed contamination seems very high w/ the high # of snowmobilers
In CA they are making manufacturers change over to 4 stroke engines by the year 2006. I would like to see this happen here because of the 100x greater carbon monoxide levels from 2 strokes.