The U.S. Forest Service is offering four proposals as its Forest Plan Revision for the expansive Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Western Upper Penninsula, three of which would severely limit snowmobiling. All managed forests must do such plans to prepare for the future.
This year's plan describes four alternatives for snowmobile access within the forest.
The first follows current guidelines that allow cross-country travel including pipelines, power lines, ghost roads, logging trails, etc. However, it also covers cross-country travel to gain access to food, gas, and lodging, a vital provision for snowmobiling.
The second alternative, which the Forest Service states as its "preferred alternative," closes ALL cross-country access. It does not even allow road access unless the Service has posted a sign designating a road open to snowmobiles. It also permanently closes several roads currently open to sledding, cutting down the miles of accessible terrain considerably.
The third alternative allows cross-country access, but still closes several roads. Although it does not curtail the miles of snowmobile access as much as the second, it still cuts the total amount of road access. Still, outside of the current plan, this seems the best option for snowmobilers, according to the Michigan Snowmobile Association.
The fourth option, like the second, also bans cross-country access. It does allow for some additional miles of road to be opened, but less than option three.
The MSA and AmSnow urge you to contact the Hiawatha National Forest via the link below and voice support for staying with option one or, worst-case moving to option three.
Comment online at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/
r9/hiawatha/revision/rev_welcome.html