The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court Tuesday, claims that more than 50 percent of the forest lands previously open to motorized vehicle travel were closed by the travel plan. The plan was confirmed as the Forest Service's final decision in January.
"We seek balance between protection of natural and historical resources and the ability of a diverse population to enjoy them," said John Borgreen of the Russell Country Sportsmen. "If this decision is allowed to stand, it will eliminate long-honored practices like using vehicles for camping and big-game retrieval, and could force property owners to ride expert-level ATV trails to gain access to their backcountry cabins."
The travel plan was required under Forest Service rules adopted in 2005. Such plans must undergo a lengthy public planning process, but the recreational groups said the forest service erred in not identifying a preferred alternative on which to focus public review, and by closing so many roads and trails.
Dave Cunningham, a public information officer for the forest, said they had not seen the lawsuit and noted it was agency policy not to comment on pending litigation.
"Some of these people are our friends and partners on other issues and we will work through this together," Cunningham said Tuesday.
The suit was filed by the Russell Country Sportsmen, Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, Great Falls Snowmobile Club, Meagher County Little Belters, Treasure State alliance, Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and BlueRibbon Coalition.
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