Snowmobile violations increasing

By JIM MANN/The Daily Inter Lake

There has been a rash of recent snowmobile incursions into non-motorized areas of the Flathead National Forest, including the Mission Mountain Wilderness.

Misdemeanor citations have been issued to 17 people so far this month.

Eight people were cited on Feb. 3 for operating snowmobiles in Sondreson Meadows, an area closed to winter motorized use in the North Fork Flathead drainage. The riders were from Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

On Feb. 9, nine people from West Glacier, Kalispell and Lakeside were cited for operating snowmobiles in the Mission Mountain Wilderness.

"We had patrols out and we also had some individuals in the Sondreson Meadows area that reported snowmobiling activity," said Denise Germann, public affairs officer for the Flathead forest.

Germann said Forest Service policy precludes her from releasing names until the citations are processed through a U.S. Magistrate's court. She said none of the snowmobilers had previously been cited for similar violations.

The penalty for riding in a non-motorized area ranges from $200 to $5,000, with additional penalties allowed under the discretion of the magistrate. Potential fines for snowmobiling in a wilderness area range from $300 to $5,000.

"We are disappointed that some snowmobile riders are being disrespectful and irresponsible by entering areas that are closed to snowmobile travel," said Swan Lake District Ranger Steve Brady. "We ask that riders focus their snowmobile travel in the many designated, open area and respect the areas closed to motorized use."

Brady urges snowmobilers to pick up new maps that identify areas available for snowmobile travel. The maps are free and are available at all Flathead National Forest offices.

Last winter, the forest implemented new winter access regulations that were developed through a forest plan amendment that faces legal challenges from conservation and snowmobiling organizations.

Germann said the forest is conducting regular patrols on snowmobiling terrain. People with information regarding illegal snowmobiling activity are encouraged to contact Flathead forest law enforcement at 758-5277 or 387-3839.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com