NEWS RELEASES: 2008

Forest Service Revises Road Proposal

Springerville, AZ — The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have released a modified proposal for motorized use on the Forests which is now available for public comment. The proposal is one of several possible alternatives that will be developed and analyzed over the next six months.

"The modified proposal includes more motorized roads and trails available for public travel than did the earlier proposal," said Deryl Jevons, Acting Forest Supervisor. "We have worked hard to consider all of the comments received and design a motorized transportation system that tries to balance the needs of non-motorized recreation and motorized recreation." The Forest Service is requesting written comments about the modified proposal by March 14, 2008, so that issues can be further identified and a range of alternatives can be developed that address those issues.

The modified proposal calls for keeping 2,651 miles of roads open for public use in comparison to the 2,779 miles currently open across the Forests. The 128 mile decrease resulted from closing about 438 miles of existing Forest Service roads that are currently open; opening about 371 miles of roads that are currently closed; designating about 42 miles of existing trails and user-created roads to the Forest Service road inventory; converting about 93 miles of currently closed and open roads to to ATV routes for vehicles less than 50 inches wide; and establing about 55 miles of new ATV routes.

"The proposal tries to establish a system of motorized travel opportunities where those users of ATVs or high-clearance vehicles will be rewarded with some outstanding rides while discouraging cross-country use," said Jevons. The Travel Management Rule is scheduled to be implemented in the fall of 2009 and will close the Forests to cross-country motorized use. "Off-highway vehicles are a legitimate use in the right place, and that includes many places on national forest land. We just have to make sure that use is done in a responsible manner," he added.

Dispersed camping with vehicles would be allowed adjacent to open roads in areas designated; there are almost 1,700 existing individual campsites that would be designated available for camping. In addition, this proposal calls for the designation of 938 miles of recreation corridors that would be open for camping within 300 feet on either side of a designated open road. Cross-country motorized travel would be allowed in eight designated areas that total about 6,000 acres located on the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts.

Cross-country motorized big game retrieval for elk and mule deer would be allowed up to one mile off of an open road with some seasonal and time of day restrictions. Fuelwood gathering would continue using the current Forest Service permit system with some minor modifications to ensure the gathering is done in accord with the Travel Management Rule.

Maps of the modified proposal and documents describing the proposal can be seen at the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests web site at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/projects/travel-management. The public is also invited to view the proposal and provide written comments at the closest scheduled open house:

Show Low, AZ	March 6, 2008 (Thursday), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and
	March 8, 2008 (Saturday), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
	Show Low Public Library, 180 N. 9th Street.
Springerville, AZ	March 6, 2008 (Thursday), from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and
	March 8, 2008 (Saturday), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
	Forest Service Supervisor’s Office
	Conference Room, 30 South Chiricahua Drive.
Clifton, AZ	March 6, 2008 (Thursday), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
	Clifton Community Center, Clifton Train Depot,
	100 North Coronado Blvd (U.S. Highway 191).
Safford, AZ	March 8, 2008 (Saturday), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
	Bottom Floor Assembly Room, Graham County
	General Services Building, 921 Thatcher Blvd.
Heber, AZ	March 6, 2008 (Thursday), from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and
	March 8, 2008 (Saturday), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
	Mogollon High School gymnasium, 3450 Mustang Ave.
Alpine, AZ	March 6, 2008 (Thursday), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and
	March 8, 2008 (Saturday), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
	Alpine Community Center, 42627 U.S. Highway180.

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