It was released from the Associated Press yesterday, that a federal judge has reopened popular snowmobile trails in northern Idaho surrounding Priest Lake that had been closed to protect caribou. The ban was lifted from the caribou recovery zone in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
A controversial point in the plan was a loop trail around the north end of Priest Lake that cuts across important caribou habitat but also connects trail networks on opposite sides of the lake. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Whaley in Spokane, Wash., allows the trail to open. The ruling allows grooming to resume on trails near Bonners Ferry as well. Off-trail riding in the Roman Nose-McCormick Ridge area and in the Trapper Burn area has also been allowed.
Dave O'Brien, a spokesman for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, said the agency followed guidelines provided by state amd federal caribou experts.
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