As an organization that cares about Idaho’s wild places, we want to let you know about an opportunity to speak up for a special area of Idaho.
The Payette National Forest is seeking comment on a travel management plan for Rapid River, which includes the Rapid River Wild and Scenic River corridor that is popular with hikers because of its incredible views and unique plant life. A description of the area from the Forest Service’s website states “The absence of roads and other development has helped keep this river one of the clearest and cleanest in the area.” A gateway to the Seven Devils, ITA routinely has projects in this incredible place.
The proposal being considered by the Forest Service would allow motorized and mechanized use on certain trails to the boundary of the Wild and Scenic River corridor. At the boundary, signs would be installed in turnaround areas stating that non-motorized use only is allowed in the corridor itself.
As advocates of non-motorized trail use, we at ITA believe this proposal is not in the best interest of the hiking community and that the Payette National Forest should consider an additional alternative in this project that designates all trails in this area as non-motorized. The Forest Service is looking for public feedback regarding this new plan. You can read the full plan here. If you recreate in this beautiful area, please consider making your voice heard about this issue by leaving your comments for the Forest Service.
Thank you for supporting ITA as we advocate for Idaho’s trails. We believe that YOUR voice matters when it comes to the management of public lands!
I’m writing in reference to the God awful proposal to allow motorized vehicles into the boundary/corridor area of this amazing place in MY HOME STATE. Will we ever stop the invasion into our most beautiful spots in our State? Nature is best enjoyed on foot or bike. Being able to LISTEN to nature has been one of my favorite things to do as a kid playing in the Idaho woods. Open up these trails to motos will only bring more trash, loud noises, pollution and spoil the natural beauty God has blessed us with. Heck, maybe some people will get off their butts an enjoy human powered sports as you enjoy the woods. There are literally 1000’s of miles in Idaho to take your motorized play toys. There are less and less places to go and enjoy nature via hiking or biking. Don’t continue down the road of thinking in the present, keep these sacred places as they are for our future generations.
Thank you for your time.
Please protect the beauty and solitude of rapid River by not allowing motorized vehicles nearby
Rapid River is one of my favorite places to hike. I completed my Botany degree by studying the unique flora of this area. It would be tragic to allow motorized travel in the area, it is much too fragile. Please do not ruin this beautiful corridor.
Thank you.
I feel it is in the best interest of the Rapid River trail systems to continue being for non-motorized use only. This is one of the few areas that Idahoans are able to enjoy without dealing with motorized equipment.
We have seen the benefits of restricted use of roads for non-motorized access in cities since the Covid pandemic. The benefits to humans and animal alike has been so successful that many cities are looking at continuing the closure of roads for non-motorized access. Why would we want to do any differently where wild places have been set aside as non-motorized. Please continue the non-motorized practice in our wild places.
Please do not endanger the fragile ecosystem and pristine beauty and solitude of this trail by allowing motorized vehicle use. I’ve traversed on foot areas that both allow and restrict motorized vehicle use and the difference is clearly evident. It would be a tragic detriment to this trail to allow motorized vehicles.
Please don’t give motorized vehicles access for all the obvious reasons stated above. Our public lands are precious. Motorized vehicles have a profound negative effect on the integrity of the ecosystems. Once access is granted and the damage is done, it’s difficult to turn the clock back.
Please keep this area for hikers only. Do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles. There is plenty of space out there for them to use without adding this.
Please do not allow motorized vehicles in this area. Nothing good would come of it.
My experience with travel management has shown that mixed use can lead to unhappy users. Depending on the existing situation, if users are expected to stop at some line on the map or a sign while partway into a trip, they often will not honor said boundary, sign or line. It makes more sense to either designate a trail as motorized or non-motorized w/ no mixing. In an area typically traveled by non-motorized users, changing that designation reduces agency credibility. Please be careful to not reduce wild conditions by either introducing motorized uses or trying to mix traffic on trails. Threats to wildlands are a continual conflict and “watering down” that character is happening; managers need to be sensitive.
We need more non motorized trails not less. Damage to an area has a great tendency to follow motorized use. This is a beautiful area that must be preserved and protected. It is wild and that is valuable for the animals, birds, flora, soil and humans. Not to see the damage caused by motorized access or hear it and see them. These areas are to enjoy nature away from the trappings of the urban life. The sweat of hiking is one of joys along with the pace of walking. Save this beautiful wild river area.
Thank you
There aren’t many places in the United States where a person can go and experience an environment that has been relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Allowing motorcycles, atv’s, etc in the rapid river would make those kind of places even rarer.
The Rapid River Trail is a special jewel in Idaho’s backcountry crown and most assuredly SHOULD NOT be opened up to motorized vehicles! Within moments of leaving the trailhead, one is face-to-to face with a magnificent view as far below, the wild and turbulent river claws its whitewater way downstream. There is nothing I know as spectacular as that scene, and one’s journey on the Rapid River Trail has only just begun! Please protect the awe, wonder, and integrity of the Trail by keeping it free of motorized vehicles.
Thank you,
Ralph Comstock
I am not a native of Idaho, but moved here because of the beautiful and pristine land that Idaho offers. Please DO NOT allow motorized vehicles in this area. This needs to be preserved. Allowing motorized vehicles now will only open doors for additional changes (potentially very harmful changes) to take place in the future. Motorized vehicles and increased human intervention will upset the natural migration patterns of animals and their natural habitat as a whole. It needs to be stopped now before we could allow it to get worse over time.
Perhaps I am wrong, but comments posted here will not be seen by the relevant USFS point of contact. See the link in the ITA article for the contact info to submit comments that will be considered.