Mud-bogging Leaves Lasting Damage on Craig Mountain

Mud-bogging, the ritual of driving off-road vehicles through wet areas, is creating big problems on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area south of Lewiston. Idaho Fish and Game officials are struggling to combat damage caused by drivers of 4-wheel drive trucks and ATVs who illegally off-road through wet meadows and streams causing long-term damage. "These areas are especially vulnerable, yet are the most appealing to mud boggers because of the water and moist ground," said Rick Cooper, conservation officer for Fish and Game. "They're going anywhere their vehicles will take them without any regard to the impacts on habitat or wildlife." While vehicle travel on Fish and Game lands is restricted to established roads, damage can be seen all over the area, ranging from roadside rights of way to entire sections of streams and large meadows. This activity damages water quality and wildlife habitat and leaves long-term physical scars on the land. In some cases, entire streams have been re-routed by deep ruts gouged by vehicles. Despite a substantial effort to provide signs, access gates and information about motorized vehicle restrictions, each year Fish and Game sees increasing damage caused by those who either don't understand or don't respect these rules. "It's very frustrating because a few individuals are causing a very expensive problem," Cooper said. "All the money we spend repairing the destruction of mud boggers could go toward improving habitat for fish and wildlife or improving access for recreation." Fish and Game encourages anyone who witnesses illegal off-roading or finds recent evidence of related damage on Craig Mountain to contact the Fish and Game office at 208-799-5010 or Nez Perce County Sherriff's office at 208-799-3131.