In the course of travel planning forest managers looked at traffic types that are currently permitted on National Forest system roads and trails, desired future conditions for motorized and non-motorized use across broad areas of the forest, and also public suggestions for motorized or non-motorized travel. This process identifies any "need for change" and develops a "proposed action" to address that need.

The proposed action was released with a letter requesting comments through mailings and legal notices. During this phase anyone interested in the project has an opportunity to help identify issues that can be used to refine the proposed action or develop reasonable alternatives to it.

Open houses were held in Moscow, Kamiah, and Orofino Idaho in December 2007 and were well attended by people interested in the travel plan. Forest personnel were on hand to discuss the National Rule, the Clearwater NF process and the proposed action and to answer questions. Comment forms were available and numerous comments were received.

Comments from scoping were analyzed and consolidated. Issues that will influence the project design were identified as were "significant issues" which will drive alternatives to the proposed action.

Alternatives were developed to address the significant issues with the proposed action that were identified from scoping comments.

Specialists evaluated the effects of the alternatives on recreation opportunities, fish, wildlife, watershed, soils, archeological resources and other resources. The effects of the alternatives were compared to a future without the project - the "no-action" alternative. This information is presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

The draft EIS is sent out to people, organizations, agencies, and tribal governments who have provided comments during scoping or have otherwise expressed interest in the project.

In this step the ID Team analyses and consolidates comments that were received on the DEIS. Responses to comments are prepared and the analysis may be expanded where necessary to address concerns. A new alternative may be developed from elements of the existing alternatives if it can better address the spectrum of comments received.

The Forest Service selects an alternative for implementation and documents the rationale for that selection in a document called the Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD and the Final EIS are provided to all parties who have continued to show interest in the project.

Publication of the legal notice of the ROD starts the appeal period. During this period parties who have been involved in the NEPA process can appeal the decision if they feel it is flawed based on applicable laws and regulations.

45 Day Appeal Period starting immediately after the record of decision legal notice, followed by a 45 day period during which the appeal is reviewed by the Forest Service Northern Region, and a decision is issued on whether the decision and analysis are satisfactory, or must be redone to address points raised in the appeal(s).

The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is published and provided free of charge. Summer motorized travel on the Clearwater NF is now permited only on routes and during the seasons shown on the MVUM. A Winter Use Map is issued to identify areas and routes available for motorized oversnow travel.