Overview
Maps
Various maps developed during the travel analysis process
Public Involvement
Meeting schedules, scoping letters, and other collaboration processes.
Next meetings
April 10, 2007
April 12, 2007
NEPA Documents
Documentation of our analysis and decision completed under NEPA
Links
Links to documents and web pages related to road and trail management
In Case You Missed It...
Information from public meetings that you may have missed.
Contact Us
Ways you may contact us with your questions, comments, or concerns
Glossary of Terms
Travel Plan terminology has you stumped? Our glossary may help!
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Motorized Travel on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District
More Americans than ever are using off-road vehicles (OHV) to enjoy the outdoors. In the right places, and managed carefully, motor vehicles are an appropriate use of national forests. However, if not managed carefully, motorized recreation can damage both the land and the resources that visitors come to enjoy.
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"We believe that off-highway vehicles are a legitimate use of the National Forest System. But it's a use that should be managed carefully. That's what our new rule for OHV use on national forest land is all about: providing access that can be used and enjoyed into the future. And if we want to sustain that use, then we've got to work together."
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- Forest Service Chief
Dale Bosworth
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Policies must be adapted to accommodate an increasing number of OHV users on National Forest System lands. This can be accomplished through a sustainable system of designated routes for motor vehicle use. In 2005, the Forest Service published a new rule for providing motor vehicle access to national forests and grasslands. The final rule (PDF) requires each national forest and grassland to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. The rule itself does not designate roads or areas for motor vehicles, but provides a framework for making those decisions at the local level.
Over the next few years, the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District will decide which roads, trails, and areas to designate for motor vehicle use, in coordination with State, county and local governments. The purpose of our Travel Plan project is to:
- Bring the current travel plan into compliance with laws, regulations and other higher level management direction.
- Designate a reasonable route system for public access and recreation travel on the District, considering both the quantity and quality of experiences provided, in balance with forest management objectives and resource concerns.
- Identify the types of use and restrictions associated with each designated route.
Designations will include class of vehicle and, if appropriate, time of year. The key to making these decisions, and ensuring they are sustainable over the long term, will be working together at the local level. Collaboration and communication efforts will involve a wide range of potentially affected and interested parties, including agencies and government officials, federally-recognized tribal groups, special interest groups, and the general public.
The national forests and grasslands are shared resources held by all Americans. Across the country, some of the most effective examples of access management involve State and local governments, motorized and nonmotorized users, and other affected citizens working together. Partnerships extend the agency's limited resources to accomplish trail maintenance, repair damage, educate users, and promote a spirit of cooperation among national forest users.
We hope that you will join us as we develop address travel planning on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District.
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Last updated: 05/24/06
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