LEWISTON, Idaho -- A pair of advocacy groups for off-road recreationists is suing the Clearwater National Forest for excluding snowmobiles and mountain bikes from a proposed wilderness area along the Idaho and Montana border.

The Idaho State Snowmobile Association and the Blue Ribbon Coalition are suing in U.S. District Court in Boise.

The lawsuit contends when forest officials updated the travel management plan for the proposed Great Burn Wilderness area, they decided before taking public comment to close off the area.

Sandra Mitchell from the snowmobile association told the Lewiston Tribune ( http://bit.ly/QJ18VW) that decision was prejudicial and in violation of federal laws.

Motor vehicles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited from federally designated wilderness areas.

Officials with the Clearwater National Forest did not immediately respond to messages left Friday by The Associated Press.

Thoughts?

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