Everyone's input to Custer National Forest makes a difference in how they manage the Pryor Mountains.

The official public comment period for the Forest's proposed Travel Plan ended on December 19, 2007.

Thanks to the many, many people who sent good comments to Custer National Forest officials asking them to protect this special area.
Also thanks to the many people who wrote letters to the Billings Gazette in support of the Pryors Coalition's effort.


Steve Williams, the Custer National Forest Supervisor, released the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Beartooth Travel Management Project on May 30, 2008.   Take some time to study it.



What's happening now?

The Pryors Coalition has appealed Custer National Forest’s decision on the Beartooth District Travel Plan (including the Pryor Mountains).

Click Here to see the entire Appeal document which we delivered to the USFS Regional office on July 24, 2008.   Click Here to see the accompanying photographs.

One of the four objectives stated by Custer National Forest for the Travel Plan was to “provide for a variety of motorized and non-motorized opportunities.” Instead the Forest has chosen a plan that makes most of the Pryors a motorized playground with very limited opportunities for traditional quiet experiences.

Nearly two thirds of the Pryors will be motorized with 124 miles of designated motor vehicle routes on the USFS land. Those of us who simply want to enjoy the unique landscape and peaceful surroundings, without machines, got less than 2 miles of designated routes in Custer NF’s plan.

The Pryors Coalition recognizes that both motorized and quiet users want to enjoy the Pryors. That is why from the start the Pryors Coalition offered a reasonable 50/50 split for this special landscape, but Custer NF chose to ignore our proposal.

As our appeal explains CNF failed to meet three of the four stated purposes of the Travel Plan. There are also problems in the Beartooth part of the Travel Plan. The most important issue is CNF’s reversal from their earlier “preferred alternative.” They have now chosen to allow motorcycles on the Meyers Creek and Lodgepole trails. Horse riders and motorcycles do not mix safely on narrow trails. Important natural resources are also seriously threatened by this decision.

We have not given up the cause. Federal regulations (36CFR215) require Custer National Forest to attempt to resolve the issues with us in the next few weeks. Then the Regional Office in Missoula will make a decision on our appeal by sometime in September. After that we will have the option of litigation if necessary.



Public Comments to CNF strongly support Pryors Coalition’s Vision

We have now had the opportunity to review the 507 comments (over 1000 pages) received by Custer National Forest on the Beartooth District Travel Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

343 comments clearly support the Pryors Coalition’s position.
111 comments are clearly opposed to our position.

Only 55 comments specifically supported the more motorized Alternatives A and/or B.
264 comments specifically supported the Pryors Coalition’s proposal and/or the similar Alternative C.
This is 82% of those specifying an alternative.

It is heartening that the Conservation Alternative was supported by 75% to 80% of commenters. The public comments are not a voting process. The reasoning and specific points in the comments letters are important. We believe our comments also were much stronger on substantive issues.

We were also very pleased to see the comment letter from John F. Wardell, Director of the Montana Office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Below are some fragments of EPA’s three page letter supporting the Conservation Alternative C.

“Where there are conflicts between access and recreational use and long-term protection of resources and ecosystems, we believe resource/ecosystem protection must be given priority to sustain and protect resources and ecosystems for use by future generations.”

“…we consider Alternative C to include more environmentally protective features than action Alternatives A or B….”

“The EPA supports selection of Alternative C….”

“We still believe, however, that the preferred alternative should be modified to include further reductions in motorized routes….”


Click here for some excerpts from the letters you sent to Custer National Forest

Click here for some letters to the Forest from various organizations

Click Here to see the Pryors Coalition's detailed analysis of Custer National Forest's proposed Travel Plan.

Pryors Coalition's overview of Custer National Forest's Travel Plan proposal

In Custer National Forest’s Preferred Alternative (Alternative B) the Forest reports that two-thirds of the Pryors (USFS) would be in motorized settings. This alternative is not balanced. Most Forest users are not four-wheelers. The Forest’s own document says so.


USFS "Preferred" Alternative (B)

 Pryors Coalition Alternative (C)

 Where is this Alternative???
--- no one is considering it

Alternative C is far better. It is based largely on the Pryors Coalition’s proposal and is more balanced. It allows abundant motorized access, including half of the Pryors in motorized settings, according to the Forest’s document. We need roads for access to spectacular landscapes and viewpoints, but we also need abundant quiet areas where we can escape from the noise and commotion of the city and daily life to the quiet hush of the natural landscape.

Unfortunately even alternative C has a severe flaw. It allows the two track route #2088 (see map) to extend miles into the heart of the Big Pryor North Hiking, Riding and Resource Protection Area.  In addition, Bear Canyon Road #2492 should be converted to a non-motorized trail.

ATVs have a place in the Pryors, but they shouldn’t be the dominant feature of landscape they’re fast becoming. With a balanced plan for ever-increasing levels of motorized use, we’ll all be able to enjoy the landscape in years to come. We need balanced management that keeps more areas open for hiking, riding, hunting, and enjoying the Pryors’ wildlife.

The Forest should care for the land and protect the natural resources first -- then manage both motorized and non-motorized recreation within limits the land can tolerate. This means setting reasonable and balanced limits to motorized use.


  • Click here for a more detailed analysis.
  • Send us your email address so we can send you new information as we get it.
  • Send copies of your comments to newspapers and other public officials. (We would also appreciate getting copies.)

Add your name to the List of Individual Supporters of the Pryors Coalition


What is the current law?

The Custer National Forest proposed Travel Plan




CONTACTS

CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST

Steve Williams, Forest Supervisor
Custer National Forest
1310 Main Street
Billings MT 59105
Phone: 406 657-6200 x 215
swilliams@fs.fed.us

Traute Parrie, Beartooth District Ranger
HC 49, Box 3420
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103
tparrie@fs.fed.us

US CONGRESS

Congressman Dennis Rehberg
516 Cannon Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Phone: 202 336-3211
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Senator Max Baucus
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510-2602
Phone: 202 224-2651
max@baucus.senate.gov

Senator Jon Tester
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510-2644
Phone: 202 224-2644
http://tester.senate.gov/contact

PRESIDENT
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington DC 20500
Phone: 202 456-1111; 866 366-3655
president@whitehouse.gov

GOVERNOR OF MONTANA
Governor Brian Schweitzer
State Capitol
Helena MT 59620
Phone: 406 444-3111
http://governor.mt.gov/contact/commentform.asp

CARBON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

David Davidson
Joliet Dist. Commissioner
P.O. Box 887
Red Lodge, MT 59068
446-1595 or 962-3546
Fax: 446-2640
commissioners@co.carbon.mt.us

Albert Brown
Bridger Dist. Commissioner
P.O. Box 887
Red Lodge, MT 59068
446-1595 or 662-3606
Fax: 446-2640
commissioners@co.carbon.mt.us

John Prinkki
Red Lodge Dist. Commissioner
P.O. Box 887
Red Lodge, MT 59068
446-1595 or 446-1303
Fax: 446-2640
commissioners@co.carbon.mt.us

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY COMMISIONERS

Bill Kennedy (D)
PO Box 35000
Billings MT 59107
Phone: 256-2701
bkennedy@co.yellowstone.mt.gov

Jim Reno (R)
PO Box 35000
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: 256-2701
jreno@co.yellowstone.mt.gov

John Ostlund (R)
PO Box 35000
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: 256-2701
jostlund@co.yellowstone.mt.gov

BIG HORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
406-665-9700

John Pretty on Top
406-639-9119

John T. Doyle, Jr.
406-638-2867

Chad Fenner
406-665-1174

NEWSPAPERS

Billings Gazette
PO Box 36300
Billings MT 59107-6300
speakup@billingsgazette.com

Billings Outpost
1833 Grand Ave
Billings MT 59102
editor@billingsnews.com

Carbon County News
Box 970
Red Lodge MT 59068-0970
news@carboncountynews.com

Big Horn County News
204 North Center Ave.
Hardin, Montana 59034
Phone: 406-665-1008
Toll-Free: 800-735-8736

Yellowstone County News
113 Northern Avenue
P O Box 395
Huntley MT 59037
info@yellowstonecountynews.com