Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Defining wilderness
Posted Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM
In regards to "Peddling protein" (see Oct. 8, 2009), I truly hope that Ethan Smith did not pedal his bike and trailer from the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Riding bicycles in a wilderness area is illegal and subject to a federal fine.
I've noticed repeatedly in articles in the Independent that its staff has no idea what wilderness is and what it is not. "Street Talk" once asked several individuals if they used "wilderness," and all those questioned obviously had no idea what areas are actually designated as wilderness and what activities are allowed in wilderness areas.
"Wilderness," as federally designated (and, in some cases, state and tribally designated), is roadless, undeveloped land that is managed in its natural state. Wilderness is not Greenough Park, it is not the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, it is not Blue Mountain. It is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area and, of course, the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, among others. Mechanical transportation of any kind is illegal in these areas. Thus, no trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles or bicycles are allowed. You can walk in, ski in, kayak/canoe in, or ride a horse into these areas. No logging, mining or commercial development of any kind is allowed. Chainsaws are illegal there, as is any motorized device.
In view of the recently introduced Forest Jobs and Recreation Act—a new wilderness bill by Sen. Jon Tester—I feel it is important that all Montanans know exactly what wilderness is and what is allowed there.
Mike Jarnevic
Piltzville
Editor's note: Rest assured, Ethan Smith made clear to our reporter that he did not bike in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. He did bike from his camp just outside the designated area back to Missoula
Comments (1)
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I may have to take exception to many of the comments defining what defines wilderness. Most wilderness areas have been utilized for mining, logging, and certainly allow motorized vehicles. Airplanes and power boats operate in the Bob, Frank Church, and Bitteroot areas. The Forest Circus uses both chainsaws and ditch witches for trail maintenance. The BLM utilized both a chainsaw and pickup in wilderness as recently as yesterday. Wilderness areas such as the Frank Church have commercial developments in the interior.
Wilderness is more a modern mindset and philosophy rather than what is prohibited or allowed within the subjective boundaries. Folks in the past (both native and the nasty European invaders) treated it as a resource worth extracting for supporting their lifestyles.
Missoula is fortunate enough to have a very tiny wilderness allotment within strolling and biking distance of the large housing developments. It certainly does not fit the prior letter writer's definition of such as it has seen logging, mining, and land alterations such as fuel reductions by American Indians.
Bicycles are the least of the worries...perhaps more concern should be given to transplanted city slickers who should be gutted like a two pound trout at the border.
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