I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of Conservationists with Common Sense (CWCS) to thank Martin Kubik for his letter to the Ely Echo and Cook County News Herald.
His acknowledgement of the frivolous lawsuit to stop the construction of a snowmobile trail outside of the Boundary Waters by Northeastern Minnesota for Wilderness, the Izaak Walton League, Wilderness Watch and the Sierra Club is admirable.
When the Tilbury Snowmobile Trail was discovered to be encroaching in the Boundary Waters it was rightfully closed. Its continuation of use after the passage of the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act was a huge overlook by the U.S. Forest Service. Since its closure, CWCS and the Arrowhead Coalition for Multiple Use (ACMU) have worked with the Forest Service to build a similar trail outside of the Boundary Waters, as was allowed with the ‘78 legislation.
CWCS believes there is room for all types of recreation, especially on public lands. Hopefully construction of the trail from McFarland Lake to South Fowl Lake can now move forward.
This lawsuit has been a huge financial burden to our organizations as we sided with the Forest Service. We agree, Forest Service money could have been better spent on maintenance of existing trails, motorized and nonmotorized.
Nancy McReady
President
Conservationists with Common Sense
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