4 groups settle with Forest Service

Four environmental citizen groups have reached a settlement with the U.S. Forest Service over a federal suit the groups filed last December regarding the use of snowmobiles in certain forest areas.

The groups claimed in their suit that Wasatch-Cache supervisor Tom Tidwell, forest supervisor Faye Krueger and Logan District ranger Robert Cruz failed to "adhere to requirements for public participation" when they decided to adopt a proposal to reopen portions of the Cache-Box Elder Management Area to motorized winter use.

Wasatch-Cache National Forest officials closed those areas to snowmobiles in March 2003, leaving 42 percent — nearly 540,000 acres — open to motorized use.

Non-motorized winter recreation has always been allowed in the area, but conflicts had arisen between between groups who ski and snowmobile groups.

Under the settlement agreement, those areas will be closed to motorized use.