Snowmobiles access to Mt. St. Helens summit questioned by The Mountaineers

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SNOWMOBILE ACCESS TO MT. ST. HELENS QUESTIONED BY THE MOUNTAINEERS

MOUNTAINEERS MEET WITH MT. ST. HELENS STAFF CONCERNING CONFLICT

The Mountaineer
January, 2004

On October 29, The Mountaineers Recreation Access Committee (RAC) initiated a meeting with Mt. St. Helens staff to discuss safety issues and user conflicts between non-motorized users and snowmobilers on the monument. The meeting was held at the Tacoma Clubhouse and all interested Mountaineers members - especially recreationists such as skiers, climbers, snowshoers, etc. - were invited. The following Mountaineers members attended: Ed Henderson, RAC Chair; Christine Wolf, RAC Member; Fran Troje, RAC Member; Fatima Oswald, Public Policy Assistant; Roble Pruden, Seattle Skiers; Don Thompson, Mountaineers Skier; Helen Engle, Tacoma Clubhouse; and Patrick Mullaney, Seattle Climbers. The following Mt. St. Helens representatives attended: Monument Manager Cliff Ligons, Public Services Officer Ron Freeman and Deputy Manager Reed Gardner.

Mountaineers climbers and skiers have complained of near miss accidents involving snowmobilers for some time now. Also, snowmobiles are ascending all the way to the crater rim, but not paying a climbing fee - whereas climbers pay $15 per climb or $30 for an annual climbing permit. The Mountaineers concern with resource preservation was also a topic of discussion.

The Mountaineers would like to thank the monument staff for taking the time to meet with us. Many benefits were reaped from this face-to-face meeting. The Mountaineers were able to communicate our concerns and the monument managers were able to hear applicable user group concerns. Following is a list of questions discussed, and answers gained:
1) What documents govern the use of snowmobiles at Mt. St. Helens National Monument?

In 1980, after Mt. St. Helens erupted, the Mt. St. Helens Protection Organization was formed. In 1982, Congress created the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument. There are 3 things that Mt. St. Helens was created for: scientific research, recreation and environmental education opportunities.

On October 18, 1985, the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) was put into place to manage Mt. St. Helens for multiple users. The CMP is based on the Forest Plan, which is due to be revisited in 2008. There are lots of people looking to make changes to the CMP now. This would cost millions however and cannot be done. Changes will have to wait until 2008.
2) What enforcement tools/regulations does the Forest Service have at its disposal to address the safety concerns between snowmobilers and muscle powered recreationists?

Mt. St. Helens is not designated Wilderness. It is a National Monument, which needs to address the concerns of all users. The monument staff considers the issues on the monument everywhere - usually annually but, it is an informal process. The decision to change management practices on the mountain is Monument Manager Cliff Ligon's. User conflicts and resolving those conflicts are his responsibility. However, Cliff stressed that he must consider all users; they are all customers.
3) What is the Forest Service's position on the operation of snowmobiles high on the mountain or to the summit of Mt. St. Helens? And, why aren't snowmobilers being charged to summit the mountain?

Climbing permits are required to climb above 4,800 feet elevation, however, snowmobiles are allowed above 4,800 feet without a permit because the CMP called for the existence of a climbing permit system but, did not do so for snowmobilers reaching the summit. Also, snowmobilers pay other fees.
4) What can be done in the meantime to address this user conflict?

Monument staff are doing what they can with the resources available to them to address this conflict In the past, Mt. St. Helens has held a meeting to discuss the safety issues between snowmobilers and non-motorized recreationists. A large number of snowmobilers attended while only a few skiers and climbers attended. Monument staff listened to both sides. At that time they did develop some new rules. Last year, they posted speed limit signs on many roads including a speed limit in the parking/take-off area. Other rules and changes were also adopted, such as: No smoking or overnight camping is allowed at the snow park area. No animals are allowed except assistance dogs. They have also expanded the size of the parking lot to reduce user conflict.
5) What about the resource damage caused by snowmobiles?

The Mountaineers sited several resource damage issues associated with snowmobiles including damage to: vegetation, hydrology and wildlife. Also, damage associated with snowmobilers ascending the bare soil to reach the snow level in the spring; air pollution; noise; fuel and oil spills; and disturbance of big game and other winter range issues were also discussed.

Mt. St. Helens staff will take these concerns into consideration, and thanked The Mountaineers for discussing these issues with them.

For more information about climbing permits visit: ww.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/climbing/. There is a $15 fee for climbing permits. Climbers may purchase an annual Cascade Volcano Pass for $30 per person. For more information about the Cascade Volcano Pass visit: www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation2003/mount-adams/cascade-volcano-pass.shtml.

To become involved with the RAC in working on this issue, please contact Fatima Oswald, fatimao@mountaineers.org

The Mountaineer, the monthly publication of The Mountaineers in Seattle Washington.

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