The general public often believes that since the snow melts and tracks disappear the damage is not that great. The Lolo National Forest published the Stateline Snowmobile Environmental Assessment, which analyzed the effects of these machines. It found that wolverine dens could be severely impacted, causing stress and jeopardizing the survival of the young. Snowmobiles were found to disturb grey wolves as well. The Forest Service states that increased winter recreation within the Stateline analysis area could degrade air, soil and water quality, damage vegetation, and result in a lack of areas devoid of human noise.
Snowmobiles can damage tree stems, break trunks and remove bark.
They also may negatively impact aquatic life. Their exhaust contains ammonium, nitrate and sulfate ions which, when mixed with water, create acids. These acids may stress tree seedlings and can impact seedling germination, growth and survival. Researchers have observed other snowmobile impacts to wildlife. Compacted snowmobile trails give bobcats access through deep snow to remote lynx habitat and allow them to compete with lynx for snowshoe hares, the sole food of the lynx.