Noise pollution from snowmobiles is very significant. 2
suggestions: 1) require quieter machines, 2) restrict snowmobile use to allow some places
where quiet recreationists can go & not be disturbed. Find a balance!
Don't take everything Biodiversity says as the truth! They
want all users out!
Season for heavy motorized use based on snowpack and
conditions; use based on conditions
Get unbiased & true environment reports to the task
force. Not just a group opinion on what they feel or what they have read.
Fine people that are tearing the mountain up. I like to
climb, but if you need rocks and trees for traction, you don't need to be hi-marking the
hill.
My suggestion on environment in the winter is to provide
some proof that there is any kind of substantial damage to the environment or wildlife.
I see no harm to enviro caused by snowmobiles
More snowmobiles that are quieter (4 strokes)
Enforce environmental protections already in place
Limit the number of machines, there are way too many
The environment is not a documented issue in the Snowy
Range in the winter.
First our National Parks, now this. What's next??
If you are going to put up your emission sensor. Please put
them up on the trails instead of the parking areas where everybody warms their machines
up. It seems to me you will get a better (more accurate) reading if they are away from
these areas.
Save wetlands from spring time miring due to snowmobile
travel
Educate snowmobilers about hazards of gas spills
Outlaw wildlife chasing
Require 4 cycle engines and pollution test for clean air.
Stop building new roads and trails. Thanks to our
government leaders in DC we can't afford to pay upkeep on the ones we have now, and they
are fragmenting the fragile alpine ecosystem
Preserve the environment for the highest & best use -
aesthetic value & the enjoyment of future generations!
Motorized recreation should be limited to the 1400+ limes
of roads that now exist. If a trail is closed to motors in the summer, same should hold in
the winter.
If we are going to prevent the construction of new roads on
the Forest land let's stop closing the present roads!!
The environment in the Bow is severely endangered by motor
vehicles in the Med Bow. All vehicles need to be more restricted there. To allow
snow machines wherever they want to go is absolutely insane.
No motorized vehicles in roadless areas - especially
snowmobiles
Limit snowmobile access to existing roads/trails
Do not permit snowmobile use in poor snow conditions
(absolutely no use in less than 12-15 inches of snow)
Limit number of users (skiers & all others) to
environmentally sensitive areas
More enforcement
More $ to study impacts
Reduce snowmobile noise & speed
Ethics/resource training for snowmobile users
Roadless areas could be divided for conflicting uses. Some
areas above timberline -with day access could be reserved for non-motorized use.
Sensitive areas must be mapped and closed in low snow years
Some mapped trails may need to be relocated - changed for
protection.
Education of users of possible impacts. Some impacts aren't
apparent to all users.
Enforce the Clean Air Act of 1968
Pollution by snowmobiles is way overstated. New EPA data
show emissions were overstated by 335%. I don’t think snowmobiles do any damage.
After 38 years of snowmobiling, I cannot see any effects of snowmobiling
Quieter, cleaner snowmobiles would go a long way. Air
quality, water, vegetation, wildlife - studies needed now! Ex-snowmobiler, skier
The clean up of the areas in general & in higher
elevations in particular needs to be completed by the ones that foul the areas. Spark
plugs, sleds, snowmobiles, bottles, or other heavy objects in the non-motorized Med-Bow
peak areas are most likely brought in by winter motorized users.
Create a regulation & enforcement of skiers and
other winter users using the areas along creeks, etc. as restrooms, leaving as unsanitary
mess in the spring. Control dogs as well; both running at large & defecating along ski
trails.
Noise restriction - too loud. No snowmobile registrations.
Educate all groups on proper ways to use the resource.
Keep in mind snowmobilers care about land/resources/animals
even though skiers/greens don't think so.
Protect the land by giving divided areas to each unit!
Require heavy fees for out of state snowmobilers like the rest of the U.S. Do not take the
air tests @ parking areas!
Greatly expand the parking area - this would improve the
air quality situation, if there is one - I don't think there is.
More expensive permits skiing & snowmobiles
No off-road motorized vehicles
Minimum snowfall for access
Determine damage factors
Limit # of users per day
When snow conditions are inadequate convince people to wait
for conditions to improve
Make all parties more responsible for their actions and
litter, be it motorized or non-motorized users. We sledders need to avoid small growth
trees, this snow, and bare ground (not including roadbed). As a skier, if I drop a
wrapper, it can be attributed to either snowmobiles or skiers, so may be mis-interpreted
by both groups; whereas if I leave behind a Polaris mudflap, that is a highly visible item
for uproar from my fellow skiers.
Define floating season when snowmobiles can go off road in
Forest - e.g. Based on snow conditions
Yes, it is a fragile environment, but through proper
education net regulations we can take care of the environment properly.
Have cross-country skiers pack out their trash!
EIS for snowmobile activities in MBNF
More UW research on impact of snowmobiling
Limit snowmobiles to roads. Other motorized vehicles are
restricted to roads (and 300 ft to either side); snowmobiles should be similarly
regulated.
Monitoring air quality is fine, but don't just
monitor in heavy traffic areas. Make efforts to make your studies unbiased.
Don't just dictate a policy then make your studies fit that policy like the Park Service.
Establish & enforce a 12-16" minimum snow depth
amount for snowmobile use so adverse effects to flora & fauna do not occur.
Another air quality monitoring station near Rob Roy
Reservoir.
Keep motorized vehicles in corridors that follow roads
designated for motorized use.
Limit the time based on snow conditions to skiing &
snowmobiling. Neither causes damage if there is enough snow cover
In the winter there are no animals except Ptarmigan,
Squirrels, etc. in the high country. No matter who runs across the snow, once the snow
melts - evidence of their presence is gone. Let's keep multiple use of the
beautiful resource forever.
To put up the air monitors on top of the mountain rather
than the parking lot.
The promotions of the quiet wilderness idea should not be
on the committee.
Limit season of snowmobiling
Limit # of snowmobiles
Restrict area of use/no off road use
Restrict fueling areas
As a snowmobiler, I feel 5% of our user group are slobs
& idiots. These people need to be informed that their behavior is jeopardizing the
sport as a whole. A state produced public flyer should be given to all snowmobilers when
they buy their permits. This could inform them of proper conduct while riding i.e. -
Speeds near skiers & parking areas, tree clipping, littering, proper parking
procedures
Why is it that we are only concerned about the environment
during the winter? How about the summer when usage of the Forest is up by ten fold.
Measure the air year round!
Investigation the impact of noise on wildlife; measure
noise levels (and distance noise carries) in Snowies.
No snowmobiling until the snowdepth in the driest areas is
>1 foot above the tallest understorey plant (not tree) height. If snow melts later in
the winter, then this should still apply. Vegetation is being damaged!
Snowmobiles should stay on Forest Service designated open
roads - unless such roads travel through sensitive biological areas
Season open to snowmobiling based on snowpack
Use caps for snomobilers
Cut down more trees in the heavily wooded areas, where the
forest isn't very healthy anyways. If a fire or bug infestation came through these areas
would be devastated.
Again, select areas that are appropriate for each area of
recreation & ten enforce that regulation. I don't think anyone really wants to see our
natural resources depleted, but also we don't want to not be able to use them
Let's not believe the environmental alarmists without some
real numbers! They lie!
Snowmobile industry needs to hurry up and take advantage of
cleaner, quieter snowmobiles.
Enviros need to start providing solutions instead of
constantly griping and asking for closures.
More enforcement
Reduce snowmobile use area to specific area, not whole MBNF
Even those of us who care a lot about the natural world
should just calm down.
Impact of snowmobiling has been greatly exaggerated - most
impact comes during low snowfall & late spring - could there be a season on
snowmobiling, skiing, sledding so as to minimize damage to sensitive areas.
Cleaner snowmobiles
Regulate season so machines aren't there too early