Access and Travel Management Background and Distinctive Roles and Contributions The Flathead National Forest has about 3,400 miles of system roads and 2,300 miles of system trails that were constructed to support forest management activities, such as fire suppression, timber harvesting, mining, and recreation. Much of the trail system has been in existence since the early 1900s. Later, as motorized transportation became common, many of the trails were abandoned or replaced by roads. The bulk of the road system was constructed in the decades following World War II when demand for building materials was high and the Flathead National Forest had a large timber sale program. In the last few decades, funding has not been sufficient to maintain all forest roads and trails to national standards that are important for minimizing resource impacts. Where maintenance requirements are not accomplished, conditions and trends show: User convenience has decreased. Risk of damage to water quality and aquatic habitat has increased on some roads. With population growth there has been an increase in demand on forest roads as primary access routes to residential developments. Use of much of the road system has shifted from resource extraction to recreation and residential access, with requirements for higher safety standards. Protection of wildlife habitat and lack of maintenance funding has limited motorized travel. Trail maintenance is generally focused on high-use trails. Overall, fewer trails are being maintained to standard. Recreation use and the demand for motorized and non-motorized access have increased. Advances in performance and technology have resulted in increased use during summer and winter by off-highway vehicles (OHVs), mountain bikes, and snowmobiles. Forest-Wide Desired Conditions The transportation system would provide reasonable and legal access for resource management and recreation while protecting other important resources. Open roads and trails would provide for user safety and be maintained to the appropriate service level. Roads with high residential access needs would be managed by the appropriate local, state, or federal agency. Motorized use would only occur on designated roads, trails, or areas. The transportation system would not encroach onto streams and riparian areas in ways that impact channel function or geometry. Sediment delivery from the transportation system would not measurably impact pool frequency, pool habitat, or salmonid spawning habitats.
Access and Travel Management Background and Distinctive Roles and Contributions The Flathead National Forest has about 3,400 miles of system roads and 2,300 miles of system trails that were constructed to support forest management activities, such as fire suppression, timber harvesting, mining, and recreation. Much of the trail system has been in existence since the early 1900s. Later, as motorized transportation became common, many of the trails were abandoned or replaced by roads. The bulk of the road system was constructed in the decades following World War II when demand for building materials was high and the Flathead National Forest had a large timber sale program. In the last few decades, funding has not been sufficient to maintain all forest roads and trails to national standards that are important for minimizing resource impacts. Where maintenance requirements are not accomplished, conditions and trends show: User convenience has decreased. Risk of damage to water quality and aquatic habitat has increased on some roads. With population growth there has been an increase in demand on forest roads as primary access routes to residential developments. Use of much of the road system has shifted from resource extraction to recreation and residential access, with requirements for higher safety standards. Protection of wildlife habitat and lack of maintenance funding has limited motorized travel. Trail maintenance is generally focused on high-use trails. Overall, fewer trails are being maintained to standard. Recreation use and the demand for motorized and non-motorized access have increased. Advances in performance and technology have resulted in increased use during summer and winter by off-highway vehicles (OHVs), mountain bikes, and snowmobiles. Forest-Wide Desired Conditions The transportation system would provide reasonable and legal access for resource management and recreation while protecting other important resources. Open roads and trails would provide for user safety and be maintained to the appropriate service level. Roads with high residential access needs would be managed by the appropriate local, state, or federal agency. Motorized use would only occur on designated roads, trails, or areas. The transportation system would not encroach onto streams and riparian areas in ways that impact channel function or geometry. Sediment delivery from the transportation system would not measurably impact pool frequency, pool habitat, or salmonid spawning habitats.
FNF%202006%20Modified%20Draft%20Plan_Dec%202013.docx