Senate approves Frank Church wilderness measure

A resolution urging the federal government to help clean up networks of trails damaged by years of wildfires in the eastern Idaho wilderness has blazed through the Senate. The Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution asking the U.S. Forest Service to declare the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness' trail system a natural resources disaster area. The House passed the measure earlier this month. The problem supporters say is that wildfires and erosion has slowly degraded trails in the 2.3 million acre preserve. Terreton Republican Sen. Jeff Siddoway said trails are blocked by fallen trees, making it difficult for hikers and sportsmen to enjoy it. Ketchum Democrat Sen. Michelle Stennett said calling the region a disaster area could hurt local outfitters or tourism groups making a living on the land. AP

Another Wilderness is called a natural disaster area.  This time officially by the Idaho Senate.  But don't ask them to quit making them, no sir.

Here is NPR's take on it:

 Backcountry enthusiasts fear that over time, a failure to maintain trails could force the U.S. Forest Service to close some of them, in the name of public safety.

That's the goal of some advocates anyway - no human beings allowed.

Not giving up, the Forest Service has turned to volunteers:

One avenue the Forest Service has taken is to rely on volunteers. During late spring, members of the Student Conservation Association clear rocks, dirt and logs that block trail’s on a remote stretch of the Frank Church Wilderness. Using shovels and picks is slow and physically demanding.

You won’t hear the roar of chainsaws. That’s because mechanized tools and vehicles are banned in the name of preserving the wilderness experience.

Volunteers put their backs and muscles into the slow-going teamwork required by a two-man crosscut saw. it takes some getting used to.

John Burns with the Salmon River Backcountry Horsemen says these primitive tools make for slow-going progress.

John Burns/Salmon River Backcountry Horsemen: “We’ve actually had contracts up there where the use of a wheelbarrow is prohibited.”

Burns wants the Forest Service to allow volunteers to use mechanized tools like chainsaws to increase efficiency. The Forest Service already has the ability to to this. But Craig Gehrke with the Wilderness Society says it would not benefit those who come here to enjoy nature.

Clear the trails or close them for public safety.  Use only primitive tools, which means it probably isn't going to get done.  So close them for public safety.  People stay out.  That's what federal management of wilderness areas has come to.