In November, the Medicine Bow National Forest Service announced that minor modifications were made to their winter travel Special Order. The Order sets a minimum snow depth of approximately 12 inches before over snow vehicles (OSV) are allowed off of designated routes.
The adjustment was effective Nov. 16.
In a press release from the the Medicine-Bow Route National Forests and Thunder Gasin National Grassland, Forest Supervisor Phill Cruz said “After further assessment and based on substantive feedback we’ve recently received, it was apparent that some portions of this Order needed clarification and modification. We listened to the public, state agencies and our staff, and feel as though we have strengthened the Order with the changes that were made.”
E.J. Glode, manager of the Shively Hardware North and a Polaris dealer, said that anytime a change like this happens, the snowmobilers have nothing to gain and everything to lose.
“It’s another attempt to come in and regulate what we do,” Glode said.
Glode, an avid snowmobiler, said that in 2001 he worked on defending snowmobilers rights when the new wilderness areas were assigned.
He drove back and forth to hearings in Laramie to testify, but to no avail. The changes were made.
“When you go to Snowy Range in July, the sight that has the most snowmobile traffic has the greenest grass.” Glode said.
“Why do farmers plow their field right before they plant their corn? There are no facts that a snowmobile going over dirt causes vegetation damage.”
The Forest Service said the signage will be changed as the budget allows and the U.S. Forest Service staff will be using discretion in the coming months when faced with enforcing the new special order.
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