National forests in Montana are beginning the process of revising the Forest Plans that dictate how our national forests will be managed. In a letter submitted to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the Montana Native Plant Society’s Conservation Committee makes an excellent case for preserving roadless lands as refuges for native plants and intact communities, and limiting the spread of exotic plant species caused by vehicle traffic and roads on public lands.

The fully referenced letter points out the negative impacts of exotic plant species on fish, wildlife and the economy.  The Conservation Committee’s work provides a template that can be applied to other public lands in Montana, and MNPS members are encouraged to become involved in forest planning in their areas. The full text of the letter is available on the MNPS website at: www.umt.edu/mnps.

An excerpt from their letter follows:
“The Montana Native Plant Society encourages the Forest Service to limit road building as much as possible in order to protect biological diversity, sustain the economic values of weed-free land and maintain recreational opportunities for everyone. Similarly, MNPS urges the Forest Service to curtail off-road vehicle use and prevent the unauthorized creation of de facto roads by off-road vehicles. If new roads must be built we suggest avoiding the building of roads in lower-elevation grasslands, shrublands and pine savannah. Roads constructed through forest should be as narrow as possible to limit the amount of sunlight reaching the ground. We also advise not bringing in foreign road materials, especially from sources in proximity to weed infestations. MNPS also urges the Forest Service to close or remove existing roads whenever possible. Again, roads that traverse or access low-elevation grasslands or open forest should be given priority.”