Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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BOZEMAN, MT - The majority of people visiting four trailheads in the Gallatin National Forest would like to see fewer motorized trails, according to an 800-person survey conducted last summer by Predator Project. In addition, only 20 percent of the respondents knew that more than half of the Gallatin's trails are open to summer motorized use. In reality, 71 percent of all Gallatin trails and 91 percent of non-wilderness trails are open to motors (some trails are restricted during the spring and fall).

"Whether hunting, hiking, horseback riding or biking, visitors' attitudes are clear: there are simply too many motorized trails on the Gallatin National Forest," said Shawn Regnerus, Predator Project Roads Scholar Project Coordinator. "We think an even larger majority of people would support fewer motorized trails if they knew how many are already out there."

The 25-question survey was designed in conjunction with Professor Stephen F. McCool at the University of Montana School of Forestry and was conducted July 30-Sept. 20, 1998 at four popular trailheads in the Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo-Horn Wilderness Study Area. The survey measured the public's use of Forest Service trails, how well informed people are about current trail policy, and how people feel about motorized use on public trails. Two of the trails were open to all off-road vehicles (ORVs), while the other two trails were temporarily closed to four-wheeled ORVs, but still open to motorcycles.

According to the survey, an overwhelming 96 percent of respondents were enjoying some form of non-motorized recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, backpacking and fishing. Despite their low numbers, however, motorized vehicles were involved in the majority of conflicts. Twenty percent of respondents reported a trail conflict in the last year, and 73 percent of those who had conflicts mentioned an all-terrain vehicle, motorbike and/or snowmobile in relation to the conflict.

"This survey shows that our national forests are catering to a select group of people whose machines cause erosion and water, air and noise pollution," said Tom Skeele, Predator Project executive director. "For the sake of other visitors and for the sake of wildlife, motors simply don't belong on our national forest trails."

The temporary closure to 4-wheeled vehicles on two of the trails in the Porcupine - Buffalo Horn area is scheduled to end June 1. "We hope the Gallatin Forest responds to the desires of the majority of trail users and closes those trails permanently to 4-wheeled vehicles," Regnerus said.

Contact: Shawn Regnerus, phone: 406-587-3389

Contact the Predator Project for complete survey results and analysis.

Predator Project
P.O. Box 6733
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: (406) 587-3389
FAX: (406) 587-3178
email: predproj@avicom.net
URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/predproj