Public LandsOur goal is to ensure that management of public lands is predicated on good science and preserves the ecological health of the landscape, wildlife and resources. |
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We are working to... - Insure that motorized vehicle use patterns and the Forest Service roads network do not harm wildlife and fish, water quality, or scenic and wilderness values. - Avoid loss of roadless areas on public lands, and maintain opportunities for future wilderness designation of these lands. - Actively engage
and respond to significant threats or challenges on public lands as
needed. |
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Areas of Special Concern Off-Road Vehicles Gallatin National Forest Travel Management Plan - In December 2006, the Forest Service released its Travel Management Plan’s Alternative 6, which dictates the types of recreation (motorized, non-motorized, etc.) allowed on trails throughout the forest. PCEC hosted several meetings to engage our membership in the comment process. We supported Alternative 7, which was the most protective of forest resources and the unparalleled non-motorized recreational opportunities and wilderness experiences the Gallatin National Forest has to offer In an effort to protect grizzly bears, PCEC successfully sued the Gallatin National Forest and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their failure to comply with a 1995 order governing off-road access by motorized vehicles (ATV's, snowmobiles) in core grizzly bear habitat. A District Judge ordered the agencies to begin formal consultation in order to determine whether the machines are affecting grizzly behavior. In the interim, Gallatin National Forest was required to close ORV trails in core grizzly bear habitat and limit user-created trails throughout the grizzly bear recovery zone so as not to exceed motorized access-route density requirements. Logging PCEC is also working to ensure that trades involving public land ~ whether Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or state lands ~ are in the best interest of area residents and don't jeopardize public access, wildlife habitat or key watersheds. Windmill Timber Sale Proposal - In an effort to mitigate further damage to an area already hard-hit by a legacy of historical logging activities, PCEC appealed the proposed Windmill Timber sale in the Mill Creek drainage south of Livingston. We appealed the sale based on the Gallatin National Forest's failure to develop a range of alternatives, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that reflect the stated "Purpose and Need" of the proposal. The Regional Forester agreed with our argument and the sale was canceled. |
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Mining Whether it is a large-scale gold mine or a small suction dredge along
the Yellowstone River, the possibility of mining in Park County remains.
The Park County Environmental Council is actively involved in monitoring
new mining proposals. Presently, a major clean-up operation is ongoing
above Cooke City. The clean-up is being carried out by the Gallatin National
Forest based on a settlement agreement included as part of the New World
Mine buyout. Details of the clean-up may be accessed through the contractor's
website at: |
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