Should chain saws be used to clear ice-damaged trails within Federal Wilderness areas?
The following letter from WODC Trails Chair Peter Smart makes the case for upholding the policy of “primitive” tools only. April 1, 1998 Donna Hepp Forest Supervisor White Mountain National Forest 719 Main Street Laconia, NH 03246 Dear Donna, I am writing today concerning the efforts to reopen trails that were damaged by the ice storm in January. Specifically, I am concerned about suggestions from some people that the ban on chain saws in Wilderness should be lifted. As WODC trails chair, I would like to state my opposition to any measures that would permit the use of chain saws in Wilderness. This is also the view of the WODC Trails Committee. First, let me stress that we do appreciate the severity of the storm damage to many trails. As of March 7th, WODC volunteers had already spent over 200 hours clearing storm damage. The Dicey’s Mill trail (which has the worst damage some people have seen anywhere) required three days to open just two miles of trail. Several more days will be requ
