Dillon, Mont., June 26th, 2022 – The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Nation Forest (BDNF) has published Order Number 02-00-22-03 prohibiting the possession or operation of motorized vehicles off any National Forest System roads within the Wilderness Study Areas on the BDNF, effective June 15th, 2022. Included in this order are the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area located on the Pintler Ranger District and the West Pioneer Wilderness Study Area located on the Wisdom and Wise River Ranger Districts.
Motorized travel off National Forest System roads is defined as the passage of motorized vehicles that depress undisturbed ground or crush vegetation, instances in which the motorized vehicle maximum width, (the distance from the outside of the left tire to the outside of the right tire or maximum tire width for motorcycles), does not easily fit the road or trail profile, as well as the motorized vehicle use of livestock and game trails.
“This order was an important effort that will preserve non-motorized experiences outside of National Forest System roads and serves to protect our resources from adverse impacts due to cross-country motorized travel. This was a large undertaking, and I would like to thank Forest Service employee Megan Mullowney for her phenomenal effort to lead and complete this,” said Cameron Rasor, Pintler District Ranger on the BDNF.
The order can be viewed in its entirety, along with visual examples of prohibited activity at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices.
For further information and questions, please contact the BDNF Public Affairs Office at (406) 925-3353.
