The snow may be making one last attempt at winter in Eastern Oregon, but the spring thaw is right around the corner. With the thaw come baby animals, tender plant shoots, and vulnerable meadows.
Unfortunately, these wet and malleable meadows are targets for a destructive spring activity: mudding. Mudding can cause permanent damage to public resources (as can driving through streams, wetlands, and other sensitive habitats).
The Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests have not adopted Travel Management Plans (despite being mandated to do so). When they do so, motorized vehicles will be limited to open roads, trails, and designated areas. In the meantime, motorized vehicles can go pretty much wherever they please, on or off-road.
Please help us document damages to our beloved National Forests. We need the Forest Service to recognize these damages and instate Travel Management Plans. Your documentation will help us make the case that the time to do so is now.
