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Managing Motorized Travel on the Santa Fe National Forest.
Current Status as of October 14, 2009
Key issues have been determined and alternatives developed following the release of the Proposed Action and public input received. The travel management team is mapping alternatives and analyzing the environmental effects of each. This information will be published in the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), due out for public review in early 2010. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the DEIS during a 45-day “notice and comment” period. Based on this information and public input, the Forest Supervisor will make a decision, referred to as a record of decision. The Forest plans to have the decision in early Spring 2010.
Forest Service posting road signs within the Forest
During scoping, the public asked that the Forest Service make sure routes had signs so people would know where they were at when the motor vehicle use map is published. This summer, field crews began putting signs on roads in preparation of a Travel Management decision to be made in Spring 2010. The crews are putting signs on all the roads. These road signs do not mean a road is closed or open; the Forest is still in the middle of the NEPA process. They are merely posting for public orientation.
If we wait to put up signs until after the Travel Management decision is made, we’ll be “behind-the-curve”
Background
The Forest Service has identified four major threats to national forests and grasslands:
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the risk of catastrophic fire,
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the loss of open space,
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invasive species, and
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unmanaged recreation, including the effects of unmanaged off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
In response to the latter, on November 9, 2005 the Forest Service published a new Travel Management Rule which governs motor vehicle use, including off-highway vehicles (OHV), on national forests and grasslands. The intent of the rule is to provide a wide range of motorized vehicle opportunities while ensuring the best possible care of the land.
The Travel Management Rule requires that forests designate a system of roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The rule also gives forests the option of designating motorized access to dispersed campsites and to retrieve downed big game. Once designated and published on a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), motorized travel off the designated system will be prohibited.
The Motor Vehicle Use Map:
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Will show the designated roads, trails, and areas that are legal to drive on in what kind of vehicle, at what time of year.
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Will be published after the environmental analysis process and decision about what roads, trails, and areas should be open.
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Will be distributed at Forest Service offices and on the internet.
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