The Forest Service has completed an environmental assessment on its proposed Stovepipe Project in the Tally Lake area. The project includes logging, controlled burns, and a small recreation component. As you will see below, FAMB's concerns are mostly centered on the potential damage to high-use trails within the project area. We feel that the project can be modified very slightly with little if any loss to logging operations in a manner that would prevent significant damage to a two high-use Tally trails.  

For more info on the project, visit:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58217

To submit comments:
Email in word (.doc or .docx)/PDF/.rtf format to Project Team Leader MacKenzie, with "Stovepipe Project" in the subject line, to:
comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake
Comments will be accepted through (on or around) April 21, or more exactly: 30 days from publication of the notice in the Daily Inter Lake.

FAMB submitted the following comments on the Stovepipe Project EA today:

Dear Project Team Leader MacKenzie,
Please accept these comments on behalf of the Flathead Area Mountain Bikers (FAMB) regarding the Stovepipe Project. FAMB does not take issue with the majority of the proposed action, but we feel that several small adjustments can be made to better serve the recreation community.
The Tally area is heavily used for all manner of recreation, and there are quite a few trails within the project area. Some of the most popular trails run along, or near the boundary of the project area. Our primary concern is damage to these trails from logging activities. We feel that minor adjustments to unit boundaries could effectively avoid these trails without a significant reduction in the overall size of the project.
Specifically, units 60, 112, 114, 521, 522, 532, and 538 are all on or near the Reid Divide trail (trail 800). Adjusting those units such that their western boundary ends 50 feet from the trail tread would prevent substantial damage to the trail and significant time and expense required in repairing the trail. It would also limit resource damage, as users (particularly motorized users, of which there are many on trail 800) tend to create new user built paths when faced with damage to the trail tread from logging. The boundary adjustments to those units would be relatively minor, as trail 800 already runs very close to the project boundary.
A similar concern exists for units 13, 17, 18, and 19 for the Tally Ridge Trail (trail 458). A relatively small adjustment to those units would keep all logging operations to the east of the trail tread and thus substantially reduce the time and effort required to maintain the trail.
There are also a number of non-system trails in units 13, 16, 24, 801, and 814. While there is no reasonable way to adjust the unit boundaries to avoid those trails, we do ask that any logging contracts require efforts to minimize damage to trails in those areas. The trails are well established and popular, and substantial damage to the trails would likely lead to new user built trails to serve as replacement routes. We feel that it would be preferable to preserve the trails in their existing locations.   

Thank you for your consideration,
/s/ Dan Hansen
President
Flathead Area Mountain Bikers

The US Forest Service is soliciting public comment on proposed changes to management of e-bikes on Forest Service lands to bring these policies in line with guidance already in effect for the Department of Interior, BLM and National Parks:

​"The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, is proposing to revise its directives to update and clarify guidance on management of electric bicycle (e-bike) use on National Forest System (NFS) lands. E-bikes have become increasingly popular nationwide among outdoor recreationists on NFS and other federal lands. E-bikes expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and associated health benefits. Currently e-bike use is not allowed on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands that are not designated for motor vehicle use. To promote designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for e-bike use, the proposed revisions include new definitions for an e-bike and a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bike, as well as guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands...Over 27 States have adopted a standard definition for an e-bike and a three-tiered classification system for e-bikes. Additionally, the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) recently issued proposed e-bike rules for the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Park Service pursuant to a Secretarial Order that promotes e-bike use on DOI-managed federal lands. The Forest Service’s proposed directive revisions align with the 27 States and DOI’s proposed e-bike rules in adopting a standard definition for an e-bike and a three-tiered classification for e-bikes and align with DOI’s proposed e-bike rules in requiring site specific decision-making and environmental analysis at the local level to allow e-bike use" 

FAMB has carefully considered this issue, and will be submitting the following comments to the US Forest Service: 

1. FAMB supports the USFS adopting a standard definition for an e-bike separate from a traditional mountain bike.
2. FAMB supports the USFS adopting a three three-tiered classification for e-bikes (Class 1, 2, and 3). 
3. FAMB supports giving local Forest Service districts the authority to decide whether and where e-bikes should be allowed beyond trails that are currently open to motorized use, as long as access is not lost or impeded for traditional mountain bikes.
4. Only Class 1 e-bikes should be considered for use on trails that are currently designated non-motorized.

The full text of our comments submitted to the Forest Service can be seen here:
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/DownloadCommentFile?dmdId=FSPLT3_5465326&project=ORMS-2619
Here are some helpful resources on e-bikes if you're looking to educate yourself on the topic:
https://peopleforbikes.org/our-work/e-bikes/
Different classes of e-bikes:
https://www.bosch-ebike.com/us/everything-about-the-ebike/stories/three-class-ebike-system/ 
IMBA’s stance:
https://www.imba.com/education/emtb
Proposed changes to USFS Regs:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-24/pdf/2020-21128.pdf

We recognize that this can be a controversial and emotionally charged issue for many. FAMB's mission is the preservation and advancement of mountain biking in the Flathead, and we have crafted these comments in keeping with this mission. Stay tuned for our developing stance on this and many other mountain biking-related issues - FAMB's Position Statements are listed on our website, and we're always happy to hear from you on these issues. 

Wherever you fall on the e-bikes issue, you can submit comments to the US Forest Service regarding their proposed changes through October 26: 
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2619

Job Description
Trail Project Coordinator (TPC)
Flathead Area Mountain Bikers
Position Open until Filled

Part-time year-round position
Wage: $18.00/hour
Estimated time commitment: Average 5-10 hours/week, April - October. Periodic work during the offseason, estimated at 50 hours total.
Position open until filled.

Ideal qualifications 

• Ability to work independently much of the time, and collaborate where appropriate.
• Professional, personable demeanor; organized.
• The TPC will have a good working knowledge of mountain bike (and not-so-MTB-friendly) trails around the Flathead, including trailhead locations and best access points. This person will also demonstrate a willingness and ability to scope out trails that are not as familiar. 
• The TPC will have a good handle on what generally makes a trail a “good mountain biking trail”. S/he will ideally have some knowledge of trail maintenance and construction standards and techniques. Familiarity with land manager trail standards (US Forest Service and/or DNRC), and knowledge of freeride trail and feature maintenance and construction standards is a plus. 
• Familiarity with Google Earth and Google Drive including Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, and ability to check phone & work email daily during the work season.

Responsibilities

• Work in conjunction with the Executive Director to interface with land managers and partners to ensure that FAMB’s Flathead Trail Crew (FTC) can take on projects that are important to the mountain biking community and ensure that FAMB is operating in accordance with these entities’ rules and regulations. 
• Prepare land manager paperwork to allow the FTC to work on city/state/federal lands, and establish a good working relationship with contacts at all of these entities. 
• Our FTC Trail Crew Leader is often out of mobile phone range during the day, so it would be helpful for the Trail Project Coordinator to have some computer and/or mobile phone access at some point during weekdays to serve as the point of contact with land managers.
• Help FAMB’s Trail Crew Leader schedule Flathead Trail Crew work. 
• Using FTC work logs, solicited rider feedback, and trail scouting, publish trail statuses for public view for popular mountain bike trails in the valley on a platform that FAMB will provide or select. 
• Solicit trail work suggestions from the broader public, make a decision whether or not to act upon these suggestions, and correspond in a professional manner with those who submit feedback.
• Be available for the TCL to check in via text message for safety at the end of each work day (this can be shared with other FAMB employees/board members as needed for vacations, being out of mobile range, etc.). Ability to respond to quick text/phone calls here and there from the TCL during the day if s/he has questions is helpful. 
• Oversee trail maintenance and construction at Spencer Trails. Work with FAMB board members to hire trail crew, scout trails for work/improvements needed, direct trail crew, maintain a record of all volunteer hours, and inspect work done. Oversee FAMB volunteer trail work evenings once/week in the Spring and Fall (Typically 4-5 2 hour sessions in both the Spring and Fall). Conduct periodic trail checks and record any issues or trouble spots. 
• Oversee Armory Pump Track maintenance, which is usually accomplished with 2-3 volunteer days per year, plus 1-2 minor issues to address during the summer season. Potentially in the future, oversee construction of Phase II.
• Keep an inventory of FAMB trail work tools and equipment, and ensure that equipment is maintained and stored properly, and replaced when needed.

​How to apply, or Contact for Questions 
Send cover letter and resume to info@flatheadamb.org. 

If you haven't seen a copy of this Summer's Flathead Living Magazine, you may want to go grab a free copy from your local newsstand! FAMB was featured on the cover and with a great article that discusses some of the great things we're up to at Spencer Trails and with our Flathead Trail Crew, including planning for some really exciting large-scale trail development projects on the horizon (Taylor Hellroaring and Crystal Cedar). Grab yourself a hard copy, check it out in all of its splendor using the viewer below, or find it online!

FAMB has some good news to brighten your day in otherwise difficult times: the Forest Service has issued its final approval for 25 miles of trail in the Crystal Cedar project in Columbia Falls! A huge thanks to everyone who submitted comments supporting this project. And our gratitude goes out to everyone at Gateway to Glacier Trails who have put a lot of time into ushering this project along.  

This project includes both recreation components (trails and trailheads) and forestry components (both commercial logging and fuels reduction). You can read the full environmental analysis of the project on the USFS website, and to read the final decision, click here.

A map of the approved trails appears below, and you can view a map of the planned logging here.

We'll begin building trails and trailheads as soon as we can, and will be working in partnership with Gateway to Glacier every step of the way. We may start on some small portions of the project as soon as this summer, but many of the trails won't be built until the logging is completed, which will likely take 3-5 years. We'll be able to start building trails incrementally as portions of the logging project are completed.  

As always, building these trails will take a lot of time, effort, and money. Watch for FAMB fundraising efforts in the future so we can get these trails built and open! 

On August 29th, 2019, the Secretary of the Interior issued a Secretarial Order stating that e-bikes should be allowed anywhere regular bikes are allowed in National Parks and on BLM land, and giving the relevant governmental agencies 30 days to promulgate rules. While this doesn't impact us much here in the Flathead Valley, there are questions about whether the US Forest Service might implement such changes sometime in the near future. For more on this issue, check out this article appearing in Outside Magazine, featuring statements from FAMB Board Member Noah Bodman: https://www.outsideonline.com/2402117/public-lands-ebikes 

On September 1, FAMB conducted a brief survey to gauge public opinion on how e-bikes should be looked at by land managers for purposes of deciding access. 79% of respondents said their primary trail use was mountain biking, and 15% said their primary trail use was on foot. The e-bike question was almost a dead heat: 38% thought e-bikes should be viewed as motorized vehicles, 27% thought e-bikes should be treated just like mountain bikes, and 35% felt that e-bikes deserve to be looked at as a new and separate category of trail use.