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Ely Echo Editorial
The Forest Service stepped in bear poop with the agency’s latest order that all food, garbage and smelly stuff in the BWCA must be hanging in a tree 12 feet in the air (and six feet from the tree) or in an approved container.
You break the rule and you could face a fine of $5,000 and time in the federal pen. Officials were backtracking like crazy this past week, saying this was just going to be done educationally and tickets could be as low as $50.
This backtracking and double talk was very unavoidable. Instead of springing a major change days before the fishing opener, how about having public meetings over the winter when the bears are in their dens?
Now we’re sure the Minnesota version of Yogi and Boo-Boo would like to have folks leave out their food but since we don’t have picnic tables in the BWCA, we don’t think this is as big of a problem as the USFS makes it out to be.
In a news release published in last week’s Ely Echo, the Forest Service couldn’t even point to a drastic increase in bear problems last year, stating: “Last year was a banner year for natural bear forage across the State of Minnesota – berries and acorns in particular were abundant.”
So there wasn’t a big problem or even a major increase in problems with bears getting into people’s food packs or containers. Of course the news release also said “All food, cooking equipment, and garbage should be stored out of reach of bears.” Should, not shall or must.
For those us who remember the Four Mile portage debacle, words matter. For clarity’s sake, here is what the order says: In effect March 1-November 30 each year, except while being prepared, consumed, or under on-site visual observance, all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, toothpaste) and refuse shall be suspended at least 12 feet above the surface of the ground and not less than six feet horizontally from the trunk of a tree, or stored in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certified bear resistant container.
Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both.
Is it a good idea for people to be smart with their food in the BWCA? Yes. Do we need a draconian measure and threats of $5,000 fines? No. What we need is for the Forest Service to do a better job of working with users, not scaring them away. Over time, we can see fewer people are using the BWCA. That is a problem to deal with.
