Travel Management Planning for Roads, Trails and Areas
Implementation of the 2005 Travel Management Rule (also called the OHV Rule) -- The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are beginning a four year process to implement a new National Travel Management Rule (also frequently referred to as the Off-Highway Vehicle Rule). Additional information about the national ‘OHV/Travel Plan Rule’ may be found at:http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv
 The new Travel Management Rule calls for the designation of routes for motorized use and prohibits cross country travel. It is a fundamental change in the way traffic and uses are managed and permitted on the National Forests. Instead of relying on a system of signed routes, backed by individual closure orders, all the information on routes open to public use will be on the Motor Vehicle Use Map . The map will be free and will be updated yearly. After publication, scheduled for late 2009, the map will be the basis on which citations for illegal use will be made. All visitors will be expected to know which road or trail they are using, and understand whether those routes may or may not be used for motorized use. Essentially, unless designated as available for use on the map, a road or trail will be closed to motorized travel.
The previous date of September 1 for providing input to the Forests' Travel Management Planning process is not a hard and fast date, similar to what folks are used to in some of our planning projects. That date was chosen simply to allow time for Forest specialists, yet this field season, to begin reviewing on the ground the specific route information people gave us.
We will certainly take input and comments later than
September 1, 2007. We can do so clear up until the end of the year.
However, the later we get it, the risk increases that we won't have
had the opportunity to review routes in the field before we begin the
next part of our analysis this winter.
We plan to do another round of public meetings next fall 2007, and will share the results of some of our preliminary work at that time. After that, early in 2008, we will again asking for public input as we begin a formal analysis under NEPA. ONLY at that time would there be any specific comment periods with firm dates for input, as is required by NEPA.
Comments and letters can be mailed:
Shannon O'Brien
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
Okanogan Valley Office
1240 South Second Avenue
Okanogan, WA 98840
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 How You Can Help— We need your input for this first phase by September 1, 2006. Please help us identify any gaps or duplications in the existing system or any non-system routes that could be reviewed for possible inclusion in the system. We will also consider some current system roads for mixed or dual- use (passenger cars and high clearance vehicles with quads) to complete loops or possibly connect routes. To even consider “no n-system” routes for possible inclusion on the Motor Vehicle Use map, we must first know their location. Likely we will not be able to add all of the “user-built” or non-system routes that exist, however all routes which may improve the overall system will be considered. If you choose not to share the information about any non-system routes with us, they will not be considered for inclusion and future use of them will be illegal.
For More Information— Forest and District Contacts:
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| Marge Hutchinson |
South Zone Engineer & co-team leader |
509-653-1430 |
| Mike Rowan |
Naches Ranger District |
509-653-1452 |
| Tim Foss |
Cle Elum Ranger District |
509-852-1069 |
| Bob Stoehr |
Wenatchee River Ranger District |
509-548-6977, ext.231 |
| Randy McLandress |
Entiat Ranger District |
509-784-1511 |
| Jennifer Zbyszewski |
Methow Valley Ranger District |
509-996-4021 |
| Michael Alvarado |
Tonasket Ranger District |
509-486-5111 |
| Joe Kastenholz |
Chelan Ranger District |
509-682-2576, ext. 216 |
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