GREAT FALLS – The U.S. Forest Service has banned motorized travel on 186 miles of trails in the Badger-Two Medicine area along the Rocky Mountain Front.
The decision, announced Monday, is part of a travel plan for that section of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Forest Supervisor Spike Thompson said few places in the country rival the solitude, wildlife viewing and hunting and fishing opportunities in the 130,000-acre Badger-Two Medicine area, which is sacred to the Blackfeet Tribe.
“When you talk about the Last Best Place, the Rocky Mountain Front is it as farm as I’m concerned,” Thompson said.
Badger-Two Medicine is located along the Rocky Mountains, beginning at Birch Creek west of Dupuyer and stretching north to U.S. Highway 2.
“It’ll take your breath away,” said Kendall Flint, a physician from East Glacier and president of the Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance. He said the Forest Service decision will protect critical habitat for grizzlies, wolves, lynx and wolverine.
Russ Ehnes, vice president of the Montana Trail Vehicle Rider Association, said: “I would say it’s highly likely we would appeal” the decision.
A 45-day appeals process begins once the decision is published in the Federal Register.
Under the new travel plan, 186 miles of trail that had been open to motorcycles and ATVs will be closed to motorized use. Snowmobile travel will not be allowed on either roads or trails.
Flint said the plan will prevent more scarring of the land by illegal cross-country travel.
Ehnes said problems caused by ATVs should be addressed by enforcing existing travel rules and education, not by closing the entire area.
Sites that are historically and culturally important to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, which abuts the Badger-Two Medicine, will be protected by the decision, as well, said Mike Munoz, district ranger for the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.
“This is our homeland,” said Keith Tatsey, chairman of the Natural Resource Department at the Blackfeet Community College in Browning. He said tribal members pray and gather medicinal roots in the area.
Tatsey said the Forest Service made a “great decision” in the travel plan because it will protect the area for future generations.