Use Limits Placed On Mountain Lakes Forest Service Says Overuse Damaging Recreation Areas

Too many waffle-stompers, too many campfires, too many horse hooves and just too much use in general have led to restrictions around some high mountain lakes in the Selkirks.

Despite protests that the restrictions were too much, the U.S. Forest Service began implementing them this summer.

“What we’ve seen is increasing size of barren…areas, exposed dirt in heavily impacted areas,” said Allen Chrisman, assistant district ranger.

Forest Service biologists also are concerned that heavy recreation use of the area could result in confrontations with grizzly bears.

The guidelines limit parking and camping at the Roman Nose lakes and Trout Creek recreation area. They resulted from recent environmental assessments of the damage to vegetation and lake shores.

Although announced last year, this is the first year the new rules can be enforced.

Chrisman hopes enforcement won’t be necessary, but it’s clear not everyone agrees restrictions are appropriate for the popular areas.

“There’s some controversy whether the Forest Service is doing the right thing,” said Will Benard, a member of the Boundary Backpackers. “Some people think it should all be closed down. Some people think it shouldn’t be closed at all.”

The Boundary County commissioners took the latter view, and appealed the Boundary County Ranger District’s decision to limit access. The regional forester upheld the district’s decision.

“Basically, the national forests in our area are becoming less and less managed for the public and more and more managed for special use groups, and that offends the public,” said Commissioner Bob Graham.

Graham said the commission opposed the measures, “because it meant just a small handful of people would be able to take recreation in a very large area.”

However, Graham agreed that the high mountain lakes do need some protection from overuse.

Chrisman argues that the restrictions - by cutting down on crowds - should improve everyone’s recreation experience at the lakes.

The Forest Service struck a compromise with another appellant of the Trout Creek restrictions. The agency originally planned to limit day-use parking near the Trout Creek trailhead, which was one proposal resident Chris Paulson chose to appeal.

Now, the plan is to allow unlimited day-use parking, and monitor it for three seasons. Overnight parking will be allowed in designated areas only.

Other guidelines in the Trout Creek area, including Pyramid Lake, Upper and Lower Ball Lakes, Trout Lake, Big Fisher Lake, Long Mountain Lake and Parker Lake, are:

No camping is allowed for more than three nights at one lake basin for groups larger than six.

Permits from the ranger district are required for overnight groups larger than 12. Only four permits will be issued each year.

No overnight camping with stock is allowed at Pyramid, Ball or Trout lakes. A stock campsite is available at the trailhead.

Specific guidelines for Roman Nose Lakes area are:

Parking is allowed only in designated sites in the lower lake basin. Overflow parking is available just outside the basin.

Camping is allowed only in designated sites in the lower lake basin. Camping is prohibited along the lake.

No camping is allowed for more than three nights at any of the Roman Nose Lakes.

No firearms may be discharged in the lower lake basin because of the proximity of campsites, day use area and trails.

Food and garbage must be stored in a vehicle in the lower lake basin to keep from attracting bears.

, DataTimes