A View From Above: Aerial photos lead to Idaho victory for fish, big game
ORV damage in Meadow Crekk Roadless Area of the Nez Perce National Forest, ID. Photo by Bradley Smith, Idaho Conservation League
A year ago, a bunch of aerial photos of the Meadow Creek watershed showing that something was not right got into the hands of Brad Brooks from The Wilderness Society and Brad Smith from the Idaho Conservation League.
The men noticed that All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) had caused severe damage to the land surrounding the large creek near Elk City, Idaho. From the air, the effects of the off-roading were clear. Signs of shifting soil and erosion were evident. Vegetation that animals depend upon had been destroyed. The off-roading was not only destroying the soil but also harming the area’s wildlife.
The two decided to take action.
The result? Brooks and Smith convinced the U.S. Forest Service to close the ATV trails and halt the destruction.
“Closing the trails helped protect stream habitat for fish and protect land for big game species like elk and deer,” said Brad Smith, a public lands analyst for the Idaho Conservation League.
“Meadows Creek is also one of the most important tributaries in that area for salmon and steelhead trout,” he said.
Meadow Creek Roadless Area, located in the Nez Perce National Forest in Northern Idaho, is home for a great variety of wildlife, including some peculiar and interesting fish — the chinook salmon and the steelhead trout. Both of these endangered species spawn in large and deep streams after having spent one to eight years in the sea. Because their eggs need cool water and good water flow to supply oxygen, freshwater streams like Meadow Creek provide just what these fish need.
ATVs, however, were causing soil erosion that wiped out vegetation and smothered the creek — covering up the very nooks and crannies the fish used for spawning.
“It was a big victory for non-motorized hunters and a big victory for fish and wildlife as well,” said Brad Brooks, Regional Conservation Associate from The Wilderness Society’s Idaho regional office.
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ATV's
I will agree with Brooks and Smith on this issue. It ceases to amaze me that people could care so little for the natural resources that we have in Idaho. I am an avid hunter and every year I see people on ATV's deliberatley disregarding off-road vehicle restrictions put in place to protect the environment and the wildlife. These, so-called, sportsman have no right to be carrying a hunting license. Now, I understand that not everyone is cut out for using the legs that God gave them to hunt, but if you're going to use ATV's obey the laws! Not only is it a diservice to the land and the wildlife, it is a slap in the face to those who do obey the laws and use fair-chase tactics to hunt. I am not against the use of ATV's for hunting or retrieving game so long as the path taken does not tear up the land and create new "roads" or disturb wildlife, as shown in the article pictures. I believe that there should be tougher penalties for those who are caught violating off-road vehicle restrictions. The efforts of Brad Brooks and Brad Smith may seem small, but the preservation efforts of our natural resources in Idaho are critical for future generations.
I applaud the efforts of the organizations like the Wilderness Society and the Idaho Conservation League to shut down access to areas in Idaho that are being abused by off-road vehicle users. All it takes is a few bad apples in the bunch to sour the taste of the whole bushel. Those who opt out of following the off-road vehicle laws ruin it for those who use ATV's appropriately. The neglegance of those on ATV's abusing the land not only hurt our precious resources, but also the freedoms of others. There is need throughout the state of Idaho for more roadless areas to preserve our Idaho legacy. It is unfortunate that there are people out there that don't care about our resources or the laws in place to protect those resources. They are the ones who bring about laws and regulations that shut down recreation areas that people have been using for years and that is all it takes. There is a need for immediate action and the efforts of men like Brad Brooks and Brad Smith are essential to the preservation of Idaho's natural resources.
Avid Outdoorsman and Native Idahoan
Travis Long