Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center
Tr TT
"Fostering interagency excellence in wilderness stewardship."
Wilderness Awareness Workshop
Case Study Discussion Form
Tom: This was a congressional inquiry on the behalf of the constituent. I have a search in to the SO for
the letter from Senator Larry Craig
Issue: Request for use of a game cart in the Wilderness by a person who had recent back surgery
Situation: A citizen who had recent back surgery called to request use of a game cart in the Wilderness to
transport his gear and equipment. He was told he could not use the cart due to a closure order and wilderness
regulations.
Management Question(s): On what basis do we deny the request for mechanized transportation?
Direction/Guidance:
1. What does the Wilderness Act say? Section 4 (c) states “….there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor
vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and
no structure or installation with any such area.”
2. What is your agency manual direction? Section 507 c of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows the
use of wheelchairs in Wilderness where the disability requires the use of a wheelchair and, “…no agency is
required to provide any form of special treatment or accomodation, or to construct any facilities or modify
conditions of lands within a wilderness area to facilitate use.”
Wilderness Access Decision Tool (developed by Wilderness Inquiry, Inc.), directs wilderness managers to deny
requests for the use of game carts within wilderness relative to physical disabilities, as a game cart does not meet
the ADA definition for the exempted wheelchair, is not a medically prescribed assistive device and would be a
“special treatment or accomodation”.
3. What are your management options? Deny use of game cart. Other options suggested were to utilize pack
stock or hire an outfitter to pack in the gear.
Actual Decision (if made): Denial of request to use game cart
Rationale for decision: