Current Project:
Giant Sequoia National Monument
On April 15, 2000, President Clinton created Giant Sequoia National Monument with a presidential proclamation. In the ensuing years the creation of the Monument was upheld in court, and the first management plan for the monument was successfully challenged in court.
The proclamation that created the Monument was very specific as to the use of all motor vehicles, including snowmobiles, within. In particular, they can only be used on designated roads. This means no cross-country snowmobile travel.
Today, the Forest Service is in the process of writing a new management plan for the Monument. Snowlands Network is actively participating in the process to ensure that snowmobile use does not exceed the limits set forth in the proclamation. Snowlands has commented at all stages of the planning process and has focused on:
- Ensuring that snowmobile use does not extend beyond designated roads and that some roads may not be appropriate for snowmobile use.
- Ensuring that new roads are not constructed for the purpose of facilitating off-highway motor vehicle (OHV) use including snowmobile use (OSV). The proclamation states, "No new roads or trails will be authorized within the monument except to further the purposes of the monument." An allowable use of the Monument is recreation and therefore it is conceivable that the Forest Service could create a new road for OHV or OSV use.
- Any use of snowmobiles within the Monument should be limited to "best technology." With few if any exceptions this means 4-cycle engines, which do not spew gas and oil into the environment and are quieter than 2-cycle engines (but not quiet).
Snowlands Network is continuing to monitor progress of the management planning for Giant Sequoia National Monument.