Umatilla National Forest
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Umatilla National Forest 541-278-3716
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Motor Vehicle Use Maps - MVUM
What are they?
The Umatilla National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is a single
purpose map developed to display National Forest System routes (roads,
trails and areas) designated for motorized travel. Twenty-one maps, printed
front and back on a total of eleven sheets, make up the Umatilla National
Forest’s MVUM collection. These maps
display designations by vehicle class, seasons of use, as well as general
travel rules and regulations and will be updated annually.
National Forest System routes not shown on the MVUM are not designated
for motorized vehicle travel. Routes designated for motorized use may
not always be clearly identified on the ground with a route number, but
will be identified on the MVUM. It is your responsibility to refer to
the MVUM to determine designated routes for motor vehicle use.
The MVUM is a black and white map with no topographical features. It is
best used in conjunction with a Forest Visitor Map or other topographical
map.
Where can I get them?
The MVUM is posted on this webpage (see below) for printing and paper copies are available, free of charge, at each of the Umatilla National Forest offices.
Also available is the companion brochure "A
Guide to Using Your New MVUM."
What has changed?
The MVUM replaces the Forest's Access and Travel Management (ATM) maps. Motorized travel opportunities are basically the same, on the ground, as they have been since the early 1990’s.
Access and travel management policies, prohibiting cross-country travel and restricting motorized travel to designated roads, trails and areas, have been in effect on the Umatilla National Forest for nearly two decades. Because these existing policies were in line with the 2005 Travel Management Rule, it is business as usual for the Umatilla, with a couple of exceptions.
- The West-End OHV area located on the Heppner Ranger District allowed cross-country travel on 91,000 acres. To meet the new regulations, the Forest completed an Environmental Assessment in 2009, evaluating the necessary changes to the motorized routes and areas within the West-End OHV area. The decision to prohibit cross-county travel and designate routes for motorized vehicle use brings the West-End area in compliance with the 2005 Travel Management Rule and creates consistency across the forest and with adjacent public lands.
- Other changes have been made, over time, to the 1990’s Access
and Travel Management Plan to address safety issues on mixed-use routes.
Why are we doing this?
The 2005 Travel Management Rule directed each National Forest to identify
and designate roads, trails, and areas suitable for motorized use and
prohibit use of motor vehicle outside of the designated system. The outcome
of this planning effort is to publish a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for
each administrative unit nationwide.
How do I print the MVUM?
Full-size versions of the MVUM are 36” x 44” and cannot be printed on conventional home printers. A full-size version can only be printed from a large plotter. Many local copy shops, engineering and survey businesses can print the map. To be legible, only a portion of an MVUM can be printed on 8 ½” x 11” paper using home printers.
Here are three easy steps to help you print a map and ensure you have the accompanying text, legend and seasonal designation table necessary to interpret the MVUM.
Step 1:
Open the map you wish to print from. To do this, click on the map number located on the site map or in the map/designation table chart. Both are located below.
Navigate and zoom in to the area on the map you want to print. With Adobe Acrobat®, select File, Print, and use the “Print Current View” function to print the view on your screen.
Step 2:
Open and print the corresponding designation tables (specific to the map you are using.) Designation tables are located in the map/table chart below.
Step 3:
Open and print the Map Text and Legend. The text and legend are consistent on each MVUM and will only need to be printed once.
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IMPORTANT: It is essential that the Map Text and Legend (consistent on each MVUM) and the designation tables (specific to the map you are using) be printed and carried with the map to aid in interpretation of the MVUM.
What does a MVUM show me?
- The map displays all National Forest System roads, trails and areas designated for public motorized vehicle use. It also states that driving anywhere other than on those roads, trails, and areas designated on the MVUM is prohibited (36 CFR 261.13)
- Motorized vehicles include, but are not limited to, motorcycles, ATV’s, and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- Designation details include vehicle class, season of use, and general rules applicable to motorized access.
- Limited motor vehicle access may occur on routes not shown on the MVUMs, for the purposes of administrative access by Forest Service personnel; fire and law enforcement; emergency purposes; and by persons authorized by a written special use permit or contract from the Forest Service.
Will we see many changes to our current motorized travel opportunities with the implementation of MVUM?
Access and travel management policies, prohibiting cross-country travel and restricting motorized travel to designated roads and trails, have been in effect on the 1.4 million acre Umatilla National Forest since the early 1990s.
One exception is the West-End OHV area located on the Heppner Ranger District which allowed cross-country travel on 91,000 acres. To meet the new regulations, the Forest completed an Environmental Assessment in 2009, evaluating the necessary changes to the motorized routes and areas within the West-End OHV area. The decision to prohibit cross-country travel and designate routes for motorized vehicle use brings the West-End OHV area in compliance with the 2005 Travel Management Rule and creates consistency across the forest and with adjacent public lands.
Other changes have been made, over time, to the 1990’s Access and Travel Management Plans to address safety issues on mixed-use routes.
Motor Vehicle Use Maps are the official enforcement map for designating all roads, trails and areas available for public motorized travel on the Umatilla National Forest. Visitors should not rely on any other maps for making decisions about motorized travel.
Does the MVUM also show non-motorized trails and over-snow motorized vehicle uses?
No, a visitor use map or recreation opportunity map will provide information on non-motorized routes, including biking, hiking, and horse trails. Over-snow vehicle use is exempted from designation on the MVUM.
What do you mean by vehicle class / route types?
Vehicle class refers to certain categories of motorized vehicles. The following are typical vehicle class route designations:
- Roads open to highway legal vehicles only (licensed)
- Trails open to motorcycles only (single track)
It's important to understand that routes and areas designated for motorized travel by certain vehicle classes do not mean they are suitably maintained for travel using those vehicles. It simply means it is legal to use them. For example, many low standard roads may be open to all motor vehicles. This designation includes passenger cars, although it may not be prudent to drive this type of vehicle on the route due to the condition of the surface or during inclement weather. Please check with local Forest Service offices for more information.
What do you mean by a seasonal designation?
Some routes or areas may only be designated for motorized travel during certain times of the year for various reasons, such as to reduce wildlife disturbance or reduce impacts to other resource values, like soil, water, and vegetation.
Are there road and trail route numbers on the ground that correlate to the MVUM?
Routes designated for motorized use may not always be clearly signed with a route number. In some cases, a sign may exist at the entrance of the road or trail, with symbols indicating which classes of vehicles are allowed. Routes designated for motorized uses will be identified on the MVUM. In case of a discrepancy, the MVUM shall take precedence. We urge you to please report any such discrepancies, so they can be corrected.
It is the responsibility of the user to determine if they are on a route designated for the motor vehicle being used. MVUMs will be developed for each administrative unit nationwide. It is not only a tool for motorized users, but also a consistent and standardized law enforcement tool.
When will the MVUM become enforceable?
The MVUM is enforceable now that the map has been posted to the web and is available to the public in a hard copy format.
Will I be able to retrieve game using my ATV this hunting season?
Now that the MVUM is implemented, the prohibition on motor vehicle use off the designated system (36 CFR 261.13) is in effect and traveling cross-country to retrieve game is not allowed.
Are there allowances for dispersed camping?
Dispersed campsites are in areas that have not been improved or developed for recreation. Generally, no facilities are available at these sites and no fee is required. To protect valuable resources when camping in a dispersed site, please select your campsite on foot, use proper precautions when building a campfire, and implement “leave no trace” techniques.
The following rules apply throughout the forest:
- Vehicle use on established routes is allowed within 300 feet of an open road, solely for the purpose of accessing a dispersed campsite.
- Avoid camping within 50 feet of a body of water.
- You may not move barriers such as gates, rocks, berms, or signs, or circumvent them by motorized means.
- It is unlawful to construct roads or trails.
- It is unlawful to cut, damage, or harm vegetation.
- Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads or parking sites within developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, and boat launches.
Does this affect parking on the Forest?
Motor vehicles can park in parking areas designated such as campgrounds and trailheads. Also, parking is allowed one vehicle length from the edge of designated routes, when it is safe to do so without causing damage to natural resources or facilities, unless prohibited by law , a traffic sign, or a forest order.
Will I be able to travel cross-country from one designated system to another?
No, cross-country travel is prohibited. There are no cross-country areas designated for motorized use on the Umatilla National Forest.
Is there anything else I should know?
The
Umatilla, Malheur, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests require the Oregon
State Parks and Recreation ATV Operating Decal when operating ATVs. Decals
can be purchased through the Oregon State Parks and Recreation offices
or their vendors. A current vendor list is available online at http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/permit_vendors.shtml.
Proceeds from the sales of the decals are available competitively to help
support ATV activities in Oregon including the maintenance of current
trails, construction of new trails, and trail management and enforcement
of regulations governing use.
USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:
Thursday, 25-Mar-2010 19:19:53 EDT