Forest Service wants more rangers to patrol motorized users

By SCOTT McMILLION, Chronicle Staff Writer

The U.S. Forest Service is planning to ask for $38,000 in gas tax money so it can hire one "ATV ranger" and two "snow rangers" to ride trails, patrol wilderness boundaries and teach motorized users how to leave a light touch on the land.

The ATV ranger would patrol the mountains near Ennis from May to November, primarily in the Gravelly Range, said Jack de Golia, spokesman for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

Motorized infractions there have tapered off in recent years, he said, but a small percentage of riders "who either are new or don't care" about the rules continue to cause problems.

A new ATV ranger means "having eyes and ears out there on extra patrol."

The snow rangers would patrol the Madison Range, from Big Sky to West Yellowstone, from December to April.

There have been increasing numbers of snowmobile violations in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area in the Madison Range in recent years, according to Kimberly Schlenker, wilderness and recreation program manager for the Gallatin National Forest.

"I would say (wilderness incursion) is increasing slowly," she said.

The snow rangers would work in both forests, if the program is funded.

Having a full-time snow ranger in place has helped reduce wilderness trespass by snowmobiles in the Cooke City area, where a ranger has worked since 1994. The number of incursions fell from 844 in that year to about 36 this year.

However, patrols in the Madison Range have been spotty, Schlenker said, and the goal is to have a "backcountry presence" near the wilderness boundary "many days a week, as opposed to hit and miss."

The rangers would make sure wilderness boundary signs are posted, work on trails when needed and educate and assist visitors.

Depending on the training of the people hired for the job, they would be able to write citations for violators, Schlenker said.

The snow rangers also would work with the Gallatin's avalanche center.

The gas tax grant is administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and this year consists of about $800,000. It is funded by federal gas taxes paid by off-road users and then apportioned to the states.

In essence, snowmobilers and ATV riders would be paying for the rangers with their own gas taxes.

The idea sits well with at least one motorized recreation advocate.

"In general, we support the idea of proper enforcement of all the rules," said Bob Stevenson, president of the Big Sky Country Trail Preservers.

Ten percent of the pool of grant money, or $80,000, is earmarked for ranger programs, said Bob Walker, who runs the grant program for FWP.

The rest of the money is dedicated to projects such as trail repair and maintenance.

Several forests have used the money to hire rangers, he said, but there isn't enough grant money to fulfill all the requests.

The Forest Service is asking for public comment on the idea. Call Jonathan Klein in Ennis at 406 682 4253 or e-mail him at jklein@fs.fed.us for more information.

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