WHITEHALL, MONT., April 14, 2006—Four options for a road and trail system in the 185,700-acre “Whitetail-Pipestone†area, northeast of Butte, are examined in a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) just released by the Forest Service for public comment.
The area is in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, between Butte, Whitehall, Basin, and Boulder.
[ed: Read below where they plan to close over two hundred miles of roads. I believe in Alternative 4(the Preferred on) is where this will happen and that they are the smaller two track roads we prefer.]The amount of traffic in the area from pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles helped make setting up travel system there a high priority for the Forest Service.
“We have a lot of substandard roads and trails in the area that pose safety and resource concerns. Identifying a good transportation system and applying sound management to this system will benefit both the land and the recreationists.†Terry Sexton, the Forest Service’s Jefferson district ranger said.
“All of this made getting some kind of transportation decision made here important,†he said.
The draft EIS examines several questions, Sexton said.
Which existing roads and trails are needed to meet the needs of recreationists and landowners? Which new trails are needed to address safety concerns and meet public recreational demands? Which roads and trails are appropriate for what types of motorized and non-motorized travel? Which roads and trails should have seasonal restrictions to protect natural resources?
In addition, the draft EIS looks in detail at four “alternatives.â€
The four options include one that would make no changes. Currently, there are about 658 miles of roads and trails open to both motor vehicles and to foot, bicycle, and horseback travel.
There are 23 miles of routes open only to non-motorized travel currently.
A second alternative in the draft EIS was originally the Forest Service’s initial proposal, made in February 2004. This option would keep 434 miles of routes open to motorized travel, close 194 miles of routes to all travel, and have 56 miles open to non-motorized travel.
Officials developed a third alternative after comments on the initial proposal suggested a need for more non-motorized routes. This alternative would have 381 miles of routes open to both motorized and non-motorized travel, would close 238 miles of roads and trails, and have 73 miles open only to non-motorized travel.
The fourth alternative in the draft EIS would have 438 miles of roads and trails open to both motorized and non-motorized travel, would close 206 miles of routes, and have 38 miles open only to non-motorized travel.
“This fourth one is what we’re calling the ‘preferred alternative,’†Sexton said.
“That just means we’re leaning toward it, but we’re also looking forward to hearing public comments on the draft EIS,†he said. “We recognize the final decision will likely be adjusted to address these public comments,†Sexton said.
Comments may be mailed to the Forest Service office at #3 Whitetail Drive, Whitehall, MT 59758 or emailed to comments-northern-beaverhead-deerlodge-jefferson@fs.fed.us.
For a copy of the draft EIS, call the Forest Service in Whitehall, at (406) 287-3223 or go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/projects/index-whitetail-pipe.shtml.
Comments will be accepted until May 22.