We all know that pollution from snowmobiles can damage air and water quality. Impacts on wildlife are well-documented. But what about the rest of the forest?
Recently, Winter Wildlands Alliance learned that the US Forest Service, as part of forest re-vegetation surveys, gathered data documenting tree damage caused by snowmobiles in the Gallatin National Forest near West Yellowstone, Montana. The tree damage data show that in addition to well-documented impacts on air quality and wildlife, snowmobiles may be more directly and immediately impacting the health of forests. Simply put, the data demonstrate snowmobiles are chopping the tops off of trees, possibly in significant numbers.
As part of ongoing efforts to evaluate regeneration and thinning needs, the Gallatin National Forest surveyed previously logged timber stands. These surveys are required by the National Forest Management Act, and look for a variety of damage types and causes, including insect-, disease- and human-caused damage. Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, WWA acquired and analyzed the Gallatin National Forest regeneration survey data collected through 1996, when funding cuts ended the survey project.
Gallatin National Forest surveys show that between 1983 and 1995, snowmobiles damaged between 12 and 720 trees per acre in the approximately 72,393 acres of harvested areas studied on the 1.8 million-acre Gallatin National Forest.
It’s worth noting that surveyed sections were not necessarily heavily used by snowmobiles. Had surveys been conducted in heavily used areas, it’s likely more damage may have been noted. Our review noted that stands with the highest rates of tree damage had snowmobile trails within the tracts. Since snowmobiling in the Gallatin has increased since surveys ended in 1996, it’s reasonable to expect that tree damage has increased as well.
Though the data covers only one national forest, it clearly shows the potential for tree damage from snowmobiles across all Snowbelt forests, and the need for better forest management practices. You can help the Forest Service to do a better job of protecting our nation’s forests by asking your local forest to do winter travel planning, and by commenting on travel planning and forest plans when they are issued. Winter Wildlands can help. Make sure we have your current email address and location to receive action alerts for your local national forests.
