In 2023, the KNF reinitiated a long-delayed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to analyze and manage over-the-snow vehicle (OSV) use. The public process was highly polarized and there was substantial criticism of the Forest Service’s handling of the initial public meetings. It seemed unlikely the process could result in a decision that would comply with the Forest Service’s Congressional mandates and be accepted and respected by the public.

The KFSC board decided to convene an informal meeting of interested parties to see whether there was room to work together and seek common ground on these issues. A few meetings in the summer of 2024 led to the formation of an ad hoc group that became the Kootenai Winter Travel Collaborative (KWTC). The group’s initial goal was to reach an agreement on a collaborative comment on the Kootenai Winter Travel EIS.

A broad group of people and organizations met repeatedly and worked together on the issues, including representatives from local and statewide motorized recreation user groups, local and statewide conservation groups, supporters of quiet recreation, public access stakeholders, hunters, trappers, and general forest users.

Many were surprised by how well group members listened and sincerely respected the diverse goals and values of the various points of view. A win-win vision gradually emerged, based on creating certainty and recognizing historic riding areas for motorized OSV access. The vision also supports removing the 1977 Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designation from the Ten Lakes area and pursuing formal Congressional Wilderness designation for areas that the KNF had previously recommended for Wilderness. Along with the Wilderness designations, there will also be request for Congressional designation of a number of Special Management Areas dedicated to providing opportunities for motorized winter recreation.

Implementing the KWTC vision will both increase motorized access and also provide permanent protection for priority wild country in the KNF. If enacted, the agreement will provide management certainty for the Ten Lakes WSA. These goals represent the main priorities of the two previously opposed user groups – OSV advocates and conservationists.

In March 2025, KWTC members voted unanimously to support a two-part action plan.

Part One: Write and submit a carefully worded comment letter to the KNF on the Winter Travel EIS. The letter includes a map and list of specific roadless areas recommended as open or closed to OSV use. Implementing these recommendations would require an amendment to the existing 10-year old Kootenai Forest Plan. The KNF has indicated that they are currently working on the EIS and will consider the KWTC recommendations.

Part One UPDATE: The KWTC submitted a Winter Travel EIS comment letter to the KNF in late 2025.

Part Two: Craft a legislative proposal that would designate certain areas for motorized OSV use, designate certain lands as Wilderness, and resolve the Ten Lakes WSA.

At present, a KWTC committee is working with our Congressional delegation to finalize the map and legislative language to implement the KWTC vision.

We will continue the work, currently underway, with our Congressional delegation that will allow our legislative proposal to be introduced in Congress.