Woodland Caribou & Snowmobiles

Defenders v. Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service


Species Background:

Listed as endangered since 1984, the United State’s woodland caribou population, found exclusively in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington, currently consists of as few as three individual adults, which are part of a small herd of approximately 35 that spans the U.S. and Canada border in the southern Selkirk Mountains.  The principle threats to the continued existence of the caribou are:

  1. Loss of winter food supply
  2. Fragmentation of usable habitat areas
  3. Disturbance or mortality from snowmobiling and other human activities; and
  4. Alteration of predator-prey relationships.

Snowmobile use in the Selkirk Mountains, particularly the caribou Recovery Area, has increased rapidly over the past several years, and is expected to continue.  As more (and more powerful) snowmobiles press further into caribou habitat, the potential increases for caribou to be directly harmed and displaced from key areas.  The Forest Service regularly authorizes funds and carries out activities on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF) and the Colville National Forest Plans (CNF), such as trail grooming, which provides the opportunity for snowmobiles to access most of the caribou’s remaining suitable habitat.

Case Background:

In August 2005, Defenders and Idaho conservation groups filed suit against the Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service (IPNF in Northern Idaho) for failing to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service on its programs promoting snowmobiling in caribou habitat; failure to craft a required recreation plan to minimize impacts on caribou; and failing to ensure its activities will not jeopardize the caribou’s existence. Defenders highlighted the fact that the Fish and Wildlife Service’s conclusion that continued implementation of the IPNF and CNF Plans will cause no harm to caribou is flawed, as evidenced by the Service’s own Biological Opinions showing that implementation of these Plans is contributing to the species’ decline, especially with regard to increasing intrusions of snowmobiles into crucial caribou habitat.

After a trial in February 2007, Judge Whaley of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington found that the Forest Service's authorization of snowmobiling in woodland caribou habitat violated its duty under the Endangered Species Act to avoid jeopardizing the species’ continued existence, and the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on taking (i.e., harming or harassing) endangered species.  Judge Whaley’s order closed two large blocks of caribou habitat and a corridor connecting these two areas.  This injunction will remain in place until the Forest Service completes a long term winter recreation strategy for northern Idaho, expected within one to two years, and lays the groundwork for caribou protections in that strategy.  The Selkirk Mountain herd is the last woodland caribou herd in the United States and consists of roughly 35 caribou.

Related Documents:

Final Press Release
Final Court Order
Forest Service Closure Maps and Winter Recreation Proposal
Injunction Press Release
Court Order II
Summary Judgment Brief
Court Order I
Injunction Brief
Complaint

Status:


Active

Co-filers:


Selkirk Conservation Alliance, Idaho Conservation League, The Lands Council, Center for Biological Diversity, and Northwest Ecosystem Alliance