I urge the Forest Service to retain Roadless Rule protections in the Flathead watershed and to support the proposed provision allowing Class 1 e-bikes on National Forest System trails where conventional bicycle use is already permitted.
One of the keys to successfully protecting the Flathead River system is the network of overlapping protections that safeguard its rivers, watersheds, lands, wildlife, and natural resources. These include federal laws and regulations governing the National Forest System and National Park Service, the Wilderness Act, the Endangered Species Act, and, most importantly, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Flathead’s Wild and Scenic River designations.
The Roadless Rule is another important part of that protective network.
In the Flathead watershed, Inventoried Roadless Areas protect important lands in the Trail Creek, Whale Creek, Logging Creek, and Big Creek drainages of the North Fork; the Morrison Creek, Granite Creek, Bear Creek, and other tributary drainages along the Middle Fork; and the Spotted Bear River, Bunker Creek, Twin Creek, and other drainages of the South Fork. These protections also extend to numerous tributaries flowing into Hungry Horse Reservoir.
These roadless lands are not separate from the Flathead River system—they are an integral part of it. The condition of the surrounding watersheds directly affects the river’s water quality, sediment levels, fisheries, wildlife habitat, scenic character, and recreational values. Maintaining intact, largely undeveloped watersheds provides an important measure of protection for the river itself.
I recognize that rescinding the Roadless Rule would not automatically authorize a particular road, timber sale, or development project. However, the Forest Service acknowledges that rescission could increase opportunities for road construction, vegetation management, fuels treatments, and other activities in areas where existing forest plans allow them. The Roadless Rule therefore serves as an important national safeguard against incremental development of some of the most intact watersheds associated with the Flathead River.
For a river system as nationally significant as the Flathead, I believe it is prudent to maintain that additional layer of protection. Once roads and associated development penetrate intact watersheds, their effects can extend well beyond the immediate footprint of the road.
Protecting the surrounding lands is therefore an important part of protecting the river.
At the same time, I support sensible modernization of recreational access where it does not compromise the fundamental roadless character of these lands. In particular, I support the Forest Service’s separate proposal to exempt Class 1 electric bicycles from motor vehicle designation requirements when they are used on National Forest System trails where conventional bicycle use is already permitted.
Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance only while the rider is pedaling and are limited to 20 mph. Allowing them on trails already open to bicycles would provide additional recreational opportunities without requiring roads or other infrastructure, while retaining the ability of Forest Service officials to impose seasonal, land-management, and site\-specific restrictions.
I believe these positions are compatible. We can preserve the essential roadless character and watershed protections of the Flathead while allowing carefully defined, low-impact recreational uses that reflect modern technology.
For these reasons, I support retaining the Roadless Rule protections applicable to the Flathead watershed and supporting the proposed Class 1 e-bike provision for National Forest trails where bicycle use is already permitted.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Bob Jordan