The U.S. Forest Service could reconsider its ban on snowmobiles, motorcycles and mountain bikes in the Great Burn Roadless Area and other wild chunks of the Clearwater National Forest recommended for wilderness designation.
The agency and the Idaho State Snowmobile Association have reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit the snowmobilers filed over the 2012 travel management plan that covers the Clearwater portion of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. According to the agreement, which faces opposition from wilderness groups and has not been approved by Judge B. Lynn Winmill of Boise – who is overseeing the case – the portion of the plan dealing with recommended wilderness will be remanded to the agency.
