ShareTrails | 12 Days of Legal Updates: Day 5 Kaniksu and Kootenai Over Snow Travel Plans

The Kaniksu and Kootenai National Forests have undergone travel management planning for over snow vehicle (OSV) use. These areas of Montana and Idaho are very popular for snowmobiling and bring a lot of economic value to local communities.

The decision for the Kaniksu National Forest in Idaho would increase the amount of lands available to motorized over snow use by 3%. This change comes from semi-primitive non motorized zones being converted to semi-primitive motorized zones. There would also be a 2% increase in areas open to off route motorized use. This decision was published in August of 2023. 

The Kootenai National Forest located in Montana will affect 1.2 million acres. Proposed motorized use dates from December 1st-March 31st for 278,000 acres to protect grizzly habitat. The remaining nearly 1 million acres will be open to cross country travel until May 31st. The remaining acreage within the forest that is not undergoing travel planning is due to wilderness designations and classifications. This plan just finished scoping in September of 2023 therefore there will be opportunity to comment on the proposed action when the environmental assessment is released. Make sure you become a member to stay up to date on these important over snow travel management plans. 

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