Sigh...
I guess if we are cutting and pasting selected quotes from other discussions, I better include my response to ARDs comment above:
OK, let's take the assumptions out of it and use some real figures; directly from the USFS proposed Forest Plan and specifically for the Wenatchee National Forest:
www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5312322.pdf
From page 50; referring to usage numbers.
-hunting (22.7 percent totaling 483,692 visits)
-snowmobiling (13.9 percent totaling 296,181 visits)
-hiking and walking (11.7 percent totaling 249,304 visits)
-developed camping (8.9 percent totaling 189,641 visits)
-backpacking (6.9 percent totaling 147,025 visits)
-viewing natural features (6.3 percent totaling 134,240 visits)
"Other popular primary recreational activities (representing one percent or more of the use by primary activity) include in descending order: relaxing, gathering forest products, viewing wildlife, driving for pleasure, fishing, non-motorized water activities, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. Other activities sampled represent less than one percent of the total use."
And then I went on to say something to the effect of: I don't think the USFS usage numbers are very accurate either, but they are the numbers on which the USFS is claiming to base their decisions. The most important conclusion that can be drawn is that the USFS is making some very serious, permanent decisions without the data or studies needed to support those decisions.
I would also like to comment on WMC's mention of resource damage a few posts back. He mentions damaged tree tops near the summit of Navaho. I have seen this as well. It is one of the few snowmobile-caused resource impacts to be found once the snow is gone. Personally, I think it pales in comparison to the damage caused by summer non-motorized use in the area. I spend a great deal of time in the Teanaway on foot in the summer. Take a look at the last horse camp/meadow below Navaho Pass on the Stafford trail, the saturated meadows in upper Bean or the horse camp in Beverly; or how about examples in Wilderness: the spider web of trails at Park Lakes, Tuck and Robin, Spectacle, the Enchantments, etc. The impacts to these areas from non-motorized use are dramatic.
Good and civil arguments, cannot deny the summer damage. But at a minimum the impact of snowmobile riding offroad is not understood or quantified. One example is the private timber company on Mt Spokane. Last year that company shut off snowmobile riding completely because the riders would not stay off the plantations, per the instructions of signs. The timber company actually quantified the dollar amount of damage to the reprod timber that had been damaged by snowmobiles.
newtrout even agrees about the broken trees on Navaho- that shows a lot of character. Gee, newtrout opposes WMC very well, but is not at all a jerk. I nominate newtrout for Moderator!
