Media Advisory

USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest

Tonto National Forest to hold series of
Travel Management Planning open houses during November

PHOENIX, Arizona (October 26, 2009) –Forest Service officials announced today that there will be a series of Travel Management Planning open houses during the month of November. The public is invited to come and share ideas about the forest’s system of roads, trails, and/or areas, review the proposed system, and submit comments about the proposal.

Open house locations and times:

In 2005, the Department of Agriculture enacted a new planning rule to manage motorized vehicle use on all national forests and grasslands. This rule requires the Tonto National Forest to designate those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. Designations will be made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The final rule will prohibit the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are not consistent with the designations.

“Tonto National Forest officials will be presenting a proposed system of roads, trails and areas. Based on public input, the alternatives will then be proposed in a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be released to the public for comment. The final product will be a Motor Vehicle Use Map that shows which roads and trails will be open to motor vehicle use.

“Public involvement at this time is a critical component in developing a motorized travel system,” stated Delvin Lopez, Public Services Group leader. “By having these open houses in a variety of communities, we are hoping to get representative viewpoints and suggestions from a cross-section of forest visitors.

“The purpose of the Motor Vehicle Use Map is to comply with the requirements of the Travel Management Rule, to reduce problems caused by uncontrolled off-road travel, and to improve the current system of travel routes for public access and enjoyment. The development of a Motor Vehicle Use Map is an adaptive process in which future changes can be made in the public interest.”

For a copy of the forest travel management proposed action, visit our web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/travelmgt/, or visit the Supervisor’s Office at 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, or one of our district offices. For more information, contact Genevieve Johnson at 602-225-5213.

Written comments regarding this proposed action may be submitted through December 4, 2009. Comments should be mailed to Travel Management Team Leader, Tonto National Forest, 2324 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix AZ, 85006.

For more information about the program, please visit the Tonto National Forest webpage at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call the Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200.

Back to News Room