BlueRibbon Coalition BRC: IDAHO - Help Protect Snowmobiling in Idaho's Fairfield Ranger District

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Date: 02/03/2011
BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
IDAHO - Help Protect Snowmobiling in Idaho's Fairfield Ranger District
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber in Idaho,
Last March we forwarded you some info from the Idaho State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) regarding potential changes to the Fairfield Ranger District's Winter Travel Plan. Well, the Forest Service (FS) has now released four alternatives developed following a review of all data and previous comments. For complete details on each of the alternatives, click here:
All documents and maps concerning the Fairfield Ranger District's Winter Travel Plan Revision are available on the Forest's website.
The Comment Deadline is February 15, 2011, so please send an email to the Fairfield RD today! ISSA's Sandra Mitchell sent us some ideas for some comment suggestions on the project and we've included all the info below so it will be quick and easy!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
IDAHO - Help Protect Snowmobiling in Idaho's Fairfield Ranger District

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS:
NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can.
STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to:
comments-intermtn-sawtooth-fairfield@fs.fed.us
Put "Winter Travel Plan Revisions" in the Subject Line.
STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email.
Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.
STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride
and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your
name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! ("anonymous" emails
are often discarded).
It's good to begin with a bit of personal info such as how long you have been riding in the area and/or how important the area is to you. If you have not ridden in the area before you can still say it is important because the Fairfield Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest provides many opportunities for winter recreation.

COMMENT SUGGESTIONS:
Mike Dettori, District Ranger
Fairfield Ranger District
Attn: Winter Travel Plan Revisions
PO Box 189
Fairfield, ID 83327
RE: Winter Travel Plan Revisions
Dear Ranger Dettori,
I would like to offer the following comments on your Winter Travel Plan Revisions for the Fairfield Ranger District.
Of the four alternatives outlined in the December 14, 2010 Update, I support that portion of Alternative 4 that opens a motorized travel corridor through the closure area from Couch Summit to Fleck Summit.
Experience has shown that motorized travel through elk and deer range has little impact on the animals. They quickly acclimate themselves to the sights and sounds of motors and only become alarmed when people leave their machines. In fact, elk commonly seek sanctuary from predators by congregating near areas of human activity and, as a result of seeking out human communities, have become a problem in some communities and along major highways.
Compared to the stress of being chased and killed by the Canadian wolves introduced into Idaho, the presence of snowmobiles is hardly a significant detriment to these animals and, in fact, the presence of snowmobiles may provide some degree of relief from stress for the elk by discouraging wolf predation.
Opening this section of trail actually changes little for the wildlife since the corridor already has considerable motorized traffic associated with the private inholdings, while providing some welcome equity between the private landowners and the general public.
I also support leaving the headwater area of the South Fork of the Boise River open to snowmobiling. I support leaving the high elevation areas open to snowmobiling and taking measures to educate snowmobilers and skiers about wolverines. This should include track identification, recognition of possible natal denning sites and prohibitions on wolverine harassment. Materials developed for the public by the experiment station in the conduct of their wolverine study should be available. Snowmobilers have adopted the wolverine as their national mascot and want to be part of the solution to assure continued viable populations of this animal. Idaho State Snowmobile Association and many other recreation-oriented groups believe that permanently closing off large areas with no scientifically supported basis for doing so is not the way to manage our public lands or the wildlife habitat they may contain.
I also support keeping the high elevation riding areas of the South Fork open to snowmobiling. There is no wildlife-based need to close high elevation riding areas of the South Fork. This is a magnificent riding area with gorgeous scenery and great snow conditions, with substantial benefits to winter recreation. This area also links to important riding areas around Stanley.
Thank you for considering my comments. We wish to be involved throughout the travel plan modification process.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org
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