Johnston

Regulations -- Suggestions

We are regulated enough!! Get to the issues.
Method for paying backcountry ranger to enforce regulations and appropriate use paid for by user fees.
Need more law enforcement presence in the area. Maybe Forest Service could provide funds to Sheriff's Office for patrol, like they do in summer months
I suggest training for snowmobile drivers. Many drive extremely fast around skiers. Could snowmobile dealers hand out leaflets when they sell machines suggesting acceptable behavior & safe practices?
It's not broke. Leave it alone.
I feel that increased regulation of winter sports would not be beneficial. It is possible that, very limited use of speed limits on small sections of busy trails, might be useful. We really don't need snowmobile cops.
Require pets to be on leash in parking area and on trails
Speed limit in parking area and maybe first 2 miles of trails
Fines for littering
The regulations are fine
Have everyone pay a fee to use the Forest. Don't pin the expense on snowmobilers only. I do all sports and this in only fair.
More expensive permits, heavier fines, limit access when snowfall is under certain minimum, cleaner machines, snowmobiles on roads only
More regulations will cost both sides more money in taxes and permits. Snowmobiles pay user fees - xcountry skiers?? Don't believe more regulation is the answer.
Need to set up so people believe they are there for their benefit. Public education explaining the whys do a lot toward getting people to see why they should obey rules.
Speed limits, travel limitations (both skiers & snowmobilers). No enforcement means that nothing will get done. Enforce

I suggest that fewer regulations be invoked.
I believe that all forest users should be made to obey the regulations which are there to maximize protection of the Forest and the enjoyment of all. In particular, snowmobiles should stay on designated trails & violators should be prosecuted & their permits revoked. If all snowmobiles were required to have visible identifying numbers (like are licenses) violators could be found more easily.
Provide speed limits in congested areas. Separate groups when possible. Cooperate & be tolerant when it is not possible. Do not restrict any group!
Parking regulations are not enforced. Start by enforcing them. We do not need further regulations.
My suggestion would [be] to make the regs more reasonable and make people aware of them
I believe that the regulations that are in place are sufficient if they are followed. Education can be very effective! Some of the revenue generated by users (including skiers, etc.) should be earmarked for the range.
Steep fines for users of any type for littering, wildlife harassment, and habitat destruction. Also, steep fines and or punishment for mechanized travel in areas where it's prohibited.
Increase non-resident fees and enforce registration.
We have been regulated enough!!
More enforcement; limit out of state users
There need to be more regulations and management on snowmachines. Now they can go anywhere and do anything they want. Skiers are "excluded" by these machines and cannot et away from them.
Regulations regarding snowmobile use areas need to be enforced. I've often seen snowmobile tracks in "no-go" areas.
Do not impose more regulations on snowmobilers.
Enforce parking/registration regulations already in force.
Skiers should pay to use the "snowmobiler supported" facilities - hut, trails, etc.
Equitable use of Snowy Range by all winter recreationalists without the limiting or elimination of any one group. A large economic impact would result to area business if recreation usage was impacted adversely.
Simple, just get along, be polite, and obey the rules.
Speed limits in congested areas (parking areas and vicinities)
Limit traffic away from cabins and private property
Limit snowmobiles to roads for first 1-2 miles from parking area
Provide parking for family non-motorized recreation (tubing, skiing, snow shoeing, etc.)
Minimize regulations if possible, they are expensive & difficult to enforce.
Instead of closing areas to snowmobiles, open up & develop new areas to skiers such as Libby Creek, Silver Run, and Pole Mtn.
Snowmachine ID#s that can be read at a distance. Law enforcement that can catch offenders, 10+ o the weekends. Fines that would keep snowmachines out of wilderness areas, like $5000.00 and loss of their machines. If you can't drive there in the summer you can not drive there in the winter.
Have a "wake" zone in congested foot/snowmobile locations, similar to what's used on lakes, backed w/occasional enforcement.
I'm a Democrat and a skier, but I don't believe that heavy regulations are the solution. We should use common sense and courtesy.
Snowmobilers pay a fee every year. Why not charge x-country skiers a fee to use the same resource. In the past I have x-country skied all over the eastern slope of the Snowy Range.
You can write all the regulations you want, but there has to be people to enforce and educate everybody about these all the time, not just on weekends.
Rules restricting season, areas of use of snowmobiles, numbers, strict enforcement
Fee charge for parking space proportional to area occupied.
Ski-lane in close proximity to problem spots. Parking fees similar to what x-country skiers pay? Could be used toward a parking lot. Enforce registration requirements for sleds? (granted, this may create more of a burden to Forest Service). Higher fees for non-resident users, because this is where the majority of the sled increase has arisen. We need to have respect for each other. Slow down for skiers, go single file for sledders, enjoy our mtn one and all. I strongly wish to protect my right (and privilege) to snowmobile with my wife and little girl as we please, as well as the privilege of your family's recreation.
Make all users buy permits as snowmobiles do.
Recreation is a way to escape regulation
Make snowmobile license season contingent on snow conditions. Greatest resource damage occurs in early and late season.
Enforce the regulations that are already in place. Hire more law enforcement. Better mark/ sign rules and regulations. (i.e. explain drunk driving laws. Drinking and operating a snowmobile a real problem!!!)
A better set of regulations need to be developed and then enforced. Visibility of enforcement personnel would be helpful.
From the Green Rock parking area the snowmobiles could be restricted to the highway right-of-way until the Brooklyn Lake road turn off is reached.
Set the rules for snowmobiles to be the same as all other motorized vehicle use
All snowmobiles must have a user fee stamp. This is for our trail system. All other winter activity users use the same trail system. Why don't they have to pay a user fee? They should.
No motorized off-road travel in the Snowy Range. Approximately 1,400 miles of roads are open for travel in the Range. Let us confine ourselves to those already existing roads.
Heighten enforcement
Restrict snowmobiles to existing roads
No snowmobiles in roadless areas
No use on less than 12-15 in. of snow (snowmobiles)
Require large ID plates for reporting of violations
Restrict speeds & use in congested areas
No parking along highway
More areas closed to snowmobiles, particularly sensitive wildlife areas.
Code of Federal Regulations - 36CFR 295.2-295.6 FS must plan for potential impacts from off-road vehicles on resources, other users. If conflicts are occurring, FS must change management. These federal regulations have not been followed.
Public Safety! Our Albany Co. Sheriffs Dept. & Wyo Hwy Dept. will be instrumental in ensuring the safety of Wyo citizens & visitors from out of state. Not only on the roads & hwy, but as a search & rescue contingent. They definitely need more funding & personnel to cope with the increased presence of visitors.
Regulation should be posted at trailheads & mailed to all licensees - in state and out.
Registration fees should include search & rescue fees.
Rangers should be present especially in the Hot Zones. Ticket for violations for confrontations - or law violations should be issued
Make every user be permitted - Skiers, snowshoers, dog's & owners.
Enforce snowmobile registration requirement
Increase non-resident registration to triple digits.
Reasonable user fees for everyone, then spend it in the forest on parking & trails
Work out an agreement that will lead to less need for regulations and increase self-policing.
Charge out-of-state snow machine people equal to other states - revenue goes to WY & our Mtns. Have patrols on every weekend @ parking lots for all winter activities!
We already have too many regulations. We don't need any more.
Could there be a limited # of passes issued to snowmobilers & skiers per day?
Apply regulations to all groups (users)

Only use regulations when absolutely necessary & make sure there is a way to enforce a regulation if you have some. Make sure to educate the public of the regulation.
A higher presence of law enforcement needs to be in the area at high use times for damage or other willful destruction.
Generally I don't like laws…but- if there is anything worth making laws about, it's the environment. Snowmobiles should be bound to a narrow corridor that constitutes HWY 130 through the Snowy Range. Violators should be fined $200. Also, there needs to be more enforcement of drunk-operating of snowmobiles. I don't care if sledders hurt themselves, but I don't want to get hurt when skiing.
The other users should be encouraged to share & not be selfish
The backcountry belongs to non-motorized in summer - let motorized sports have some control in winter.
Use caps.
Snowmobiles limited to roads - unless roads pass through sensitive areas.
Regulations need to be enforced
Some money from permits should be budgeted for law enforcement
Parking passes could also support enforcement & rec. improvements.
Education before winter use should be a requirement for parking or winter access.
Safe zones - slow zones could be enforced for areas where access overlaps between non-motorized and motorized use.
Automobiles are not allowed to drive wherever they want -e.g. on people's yards, public parks, etc. Why should snowmobiles be different? Hunters are required to have licenses & the numbers of licenses are limited to conserve game. Why not do the same for snowmobiles?