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The FS commits in the settlement to issue a new decision that will govern motorized and over snow access management to RWAs. The agreement states the FS will endeavor to implement a new decision before the 2014-2015 winter season. In the absence of such a new decision, management will revert "to previous management direction" which has authorized snowmobile, motorcycle and mountain bike access to some portions of these remote areas, particularly including the "Great Burn" along the north central Idaho-Montana border.

"We are pleased by this development," stated Sandra Mitchell, Public Lands Director of the Idaho State Snowmobile Association, the lead plaintiff.  "The concern over administratively designated wilderness will likely continue, but at least in this case the Service is agreeing to reconsider what we contend was an illegal expansion of the agency's role," Mitchell concluded.

The settlement is awaiting court approval. Wilderness advocacy organizations have intervened in the case, and court documents suggest they will object to the settlement agreement. "We have on numerous occasions reviewed similar settlement agreements where the parties' roles were reversed," noted Paul Turcke, the Boise, Idaho lawyer representing the recreation plaintiffs. "We look forward to responding to any objections the intervenors may seek to raise," added Turcke.

The case is entitled Idaho State Snowmobile Ass'n v. U.S. Forest Service, Case No. CV-12-447-BLW. A copy of the complete settlement agreement may be viewed at http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/ISSA_v_USFS_Case_CV-12-447-BLW

The Ashton/Island Park Ranger District is interested in hearing any comments, concerns, ideas, or issues you may have regarding their Island Park Off Highway Vehicle Trails project/proposal.

The purpose of this proposal is to revise management of areas open to cross-country OHV travel and designate OHV trails that connect to the Forest Transportation System. This action is needed to provide a safe and sustainable travel system that reduce resource impacts, improve public safety, improve access, and improve the ability to enforce travel restrictions.

This proposal will:
1. Designate approximately 33 miles of trail. Of the proposed 33 miles of trail:
• Approximately 11 miles of National Forest System Roads currently closed to public motor vehicle use will convert to National Forest System Trails.
• Approximately 19 miles of user-created routes will convert to National Forest System Trails which will require reconstruction.
• Approximately 3 miles of trail will require new construction.

2. Close “F” and “D” areas to cross-country OHV travel. This involves a Forest Plan Amendment.

3. West End area: Change management prescription 4.3 from closed to cross-country OHV travel to open to cross-country OHV travel.

4. ATV Parking Area/Trailhead: Clear, grub, grade, and gravel two parking areas and install information bulletin boards in each parking area.
Cattleguard Construction: District personnel will install six cattle guards to accommodate OHV traffic.

5. Decommission Maintenance Level 1 National Forest System Roads: Decommission approximately 15 miles of National Forest System Roads.

6. Close User-Created Routes: Close and rehabilitate approximately 79 miles of user-created routes that are not part of the Forest Transportation System. Methods used to close user-created routes will be determined on a case by case basis. Methods include, but are not limited to: construction or placement of barriers such as jackfences, rock boulders, or scattering slash and scarification of routes exhibiting heavy soil compaction.

For specific information regarding this project, you are directed to the project website to download the scoping document and maps:

USDA Forest Service - Ashton-Island Park Ranger District NEPA Projects - Island Park OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Trails Project

Comments regarding this proposal should be received by Dec. 3, 2013 and should address specific concerns regarding this proposal.
We anticipate release of an environmental document analyzing effects of this proposed action in March 2013. This project is planned for implementation in summer of 2013. Throughout scoping, comments submitted to the Forest Service, including names and addresses of those who responded, will be considered part of the public record for this proposal and as such will be available for public review. If you cite published studies or papers in your comments, provide copies of the source material with your comments. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal under 36 CFR Part 215.

Maps will be available for review at the Ashton and Island Park offices, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can view or download maps at

USDA Forest Service - Ashton-Island Park Ranger District NEPA Projects - Island Park OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Trails Project

Send written comments to:
Island Park OHV Trails Attn: Brandon Burke
P.O. Box 858 Ashton, ID 83420

For information on this project contact Brandon Burke at (208) 652-1201. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic comments should be submitted in Word (.doc) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Comments sought for Ashton/Island Park trails project
Freemont County, Idaho OHV project

Teton Valley News

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of a travel management map depicting designated roads, vehicle ways and trails on public lands managed by the BLM Challis Field Office, Idaho. The map describes seasonal closure areas and trails and the daytime use restriction at the Challis Bridge Recreation Site in Idaho.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Challis Field Office manages nearly 800,000 acres of public lands, principally in Custer County, Idaho. The Challis Field Office completed its Resource Management Plan (RMP) in 1999. This RMP recommended that the Field Office complete a Travel Management Plan to administer all aspects of motorized and non-motorized travel in the field office. The Challis Travel Management Plan was approved in June of 2008.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the map are available to the public by contacting the BLM Challis Field Office, 1151 Blue Mountain Road, Challis, Idaho 83226; by telephone at (208) 879-6200; or on the following Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/challis.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact David Rosenkrance, Field Manager, at the Challis Field Office at the address and phone number listed above.

Dated: January 19, 2010.

CHALLIS, ID (Oct 23, 2009) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Challis Field Office travel maps are available at BLM offices (Challis and Salmon), Eastern Idaho Visitor Center (Idaho Falls), Idaho Fish & Game Office (Idaho Falls), Rexburg Motor Sports, Action Motor Sports and various locations in Challis. These maps are free to the public and depict seasonal closures areas and approved motorized trails.

The few drops of rain were not enough to wash off the dust but they did not hide the banner strung across the entrance to the town of McCall.  An Antique and Classic Boat Show was set to open for public viewing for the weekend.  Hopefully the rain was temporary and would not linger.

McCall, Idaho sits on the shores of Payette Lakes and is home to year around recreation opportunities.  In the winter, skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are popular.  In the summer, skiing (water), wheeling, and fishing are popular.  This August weekend featured an Antique and Classic Boat Show hosted by the local chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (www.acbs.org).

The name Chris-Craft dominated the makers of boats on display.  All were meticulously restored to their former glory years when moved from factory to show room to the water.  From the 28 foot speed boat powered by twin Mercury Marine V-8 engines to the sleek 14 canoe powered by sail, the boats were high polished wood.

It is evident the owners loved and cherished their classic boats and seek to protect the heritage of boating by promoting the preservation and restoration of historic antique and classic boats.

See more pictures of Antique and Classic Boats in the 4x4Wire Galleries.