Military helicopters - Liberty Bell Roadless Area

Saw a Blackhawk heading that way yesterday.

Saw a Blackhawk heading that way yesterday.

Likely looking for the missing plane for Montana on the way to Bellingham.

Girl walked out, her grandparents and the plane have not yet been located. Girl was picked up near Rainey Pass TH.

Sad story

Freeski, I've been around the Maple Pass loop in spring, summer, and fall. I know the area ok and appreciate the mountains there.

You're right that it shouldn't be required that you suggest an alternative but if you can come up with one that satisfies the military I suspect it will be more successful than just saying no. The military has a lot of strength in the US and a lot of ability to give every one else the big FU, the only group that seems to have more power is CBP, I'd be concerned that if they didn't get a better proposal then they might just ignore all of the other concerns and carry on with what they originally want to do.

Where are you getting your information that mechanized transport is increasing? I'm not arguing, I'd just like to read up on the topic. On this side of the range it seems like access for mechanized transport is increasingly limited whether it's jeeps, dirtbikes, snowmobiles, or even mountain bikes. I'm basing that on personal experience with the activities and areas that I'm trying to access so I might be biased and missing other areas that have recently relaxed their access policies.

I think I saw that there is a proposed landing pad within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area...

... check the Seattle Times.

Not the Liberty Bell area but similar roll out of plans.

Here is my take on the landing sites:
MTA 1-4 and MTA 1-7 are the most concerning.

MTA 1-1 Stormy Mtn (summit)
MTA 1-2 Devils Backbone (just nw of Stormy Mtn)
MTA 1-3 Right in between Two Little Lakes
MTA 1-4 Big Lou. This is on the summit of Big Lou...which is just south of Big Jim. (south of Lake Augusta, and east of Lake Ida)
MTA 1-5 Rock Mtn. This is the summit just north of Tiffany Mtn
MTA 1-6 the south arm of Azurite Mtn.
MTA 1-7 NE of Coney Lake. This zone is .4 miles NE of Coney Lake

It sounds like the "no action" option is already off the board from their point of view.

4.1 Alternative 1: No-Action Alternative
Analysis of the No-Action Alternative is required by the CEQ (40 CFR Part 1500-1508) and Army
NEPA-implementing regulations (32 CFR 651). The No-Action Alternative serves as the baseline
condition for analysis of other alternatives.

Followed later in the section by this:

Therefore, the NoAction
Alternative does not meet the purpose and need for the proposed action.

I'm most concerned about the area required for training exercises.

Mission Essential Task List (METL) area requirements include but are
not limited to a 3 km radius for landing area reconnaissance, a 5 km radius for evasive
maneuvers, and a 10 km radius for firing techniques (includes simulation of target acquisition
and instrumentation prior to firing), team employment, close combat attack and combat
maneuvering flight.

I've been used as a target (without being warned) while I was working in Death Valley one summer. It was interesting and entertaining for a bit but I don't think I'd want the same experience out in the mountains.

And this bit is interesting too:

The majority of training would occur at night.

And this might limit the impact to AT skiers:

Sites chosen for HLZs must have soil conditions that are capable of supporting the weight
of the aircraft to prevent aircraft from being mired, creating excessive dust, or blowing snow.
Loose material can cause obscured visual conditions.