Action Alert Update: More Than 50 Montana Areas Still at Risk

Action Alert

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For Immediate Release
07-02-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst

303-545-9011

One year after generating nearly 4,000 comment letters from concerned mountain bikers, Montana advocates and IMBA continue to fight widespread proposed closures to backcountry trails. If implemented, the bans on mountain biking would eliminate access to 50 of the Big Sky State's most spectacular and remote riding areas.

As part of their volunteer-led effort, local mountain bikers have crisscrossed the state, meeting with more than 20 Forest Service officials, county commissioners, state government representatives, U.S. congressional representatives and other user groups.

This outreach has led to several isolated successes, including in Butte and Helena, where IMBA affiliates have collaborated on an innovative plan that recommends the preservation of large bicycle-friendly backcountry areas, many of which encompass the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Meanwhile, IMBA has been focusing pressure at the national level, lobbying members of Congress and the USDA Forest Service.

Unfortunately, this campaign has not yet yielded a promise of continued access to these cherished trails. IMBA will exhaust all administrative appeals in fighting the closures and has already begun building a legal case for trail access.

Mountain bikers have been on the receiving end of a strong push to eliminate bicycle access. Most recently, a lawsuit by the Montana Wilderness Association and Greater Yellowstone Coalition has targeted bicycles and motorized vehicles, asking that they be removed from the popular Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area near Bozeman.

Trail access in Montana appears to be coming to a head as early as next spring. Your help will be needed to make sure IMBA can fight an effective legal battle and prevent closures that could spread nationwide.

Read more about IMBA's Montana campaign.