WELC has been assisting the Montana Wilderness Association through the administrative process of working with the U.S. Forest Service on a travel management plan for the Little Belt, Castle, and North Crazy Mountains in Montana.  The travel plan was issued in fall 2008.  While this Travel Plan is not perfect and does not incorporate all of WELC's and MWA's recommendations, it does recognize the Forest Service's duty to maintain wilderness characteristics of the Middle Fork of the Judith Wilderness Study Area and does significantly limit motorized use, protecting a number of trails and areas from motorized use, creating quiet recreation opportunities and improving fisheries, water quality and wildlife habitat.

The Plan has been challenged by several local motorized user groups and the Blue Ribbon Coalition, claiming that the Plan too dramatically limits access by motor vehicles. Representing Montana Wilderness Association, WELC has intervened to defend the significant, though not perfect, steps the Forest Service has made in limiting the damaging use of motorized vehicles.

Click here to read more about this case.

Click here to read the press release.