Recreational Groups Join Superior Forest Suit

The case involves a challenge to the Revised Forest Plan for Minnesota’s Superior National Forest brought by the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife and other organizations.  Some of the claims in the complaint target the agency’s vehicle planning, the inadequacy of the road and trail inventory and other baseline data used in adopting the Forest Plan, and the alleged deficient analysis of possible impacts to Canada Lynx and Gray Wolf populations.

“The Superior National Forest is the eighth most visited National Forest in the country and is widely known for its diverse and high quality recreation,” said Phill Morud, ATVAM President.  “We entered this suit to make sure that vehicles remain an important part of the recreational picture in the Forest,” Morud concluded.

The parties are presently awaiting a decision on a motion to dismiss filed by the Federal Defendants in the case.  In addition to the recreational groups, Lake County, the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Minnesota Timber Producers Association have all weighed in on the side of the Forest Service in the suit.  ATVAM and BlueRibbon are represented by Paul Turcke of Boise, Idaho, with Patrick D. Robben of Minneapolis serving as local counsel.  The case is entitled Sierra Club v. Bosworth, Case No. 06-3334 PJS-RLE (D.Minn.