Umatilla National Forest

Recreational Opportunities

Heppner Ranger District Releases Decision on West End OHV Proposal.

Final EA / Decision Information / Q & As / Background

West End OHV Project Area Final Environmental Assessment

• Decision
• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 - Purpose & Need
• Chapter 2 - Alternatives
• Chapter 3 - Environmental Consequences
• Chapter 4 - Supporting Information
• Bibliography
• Appendices
• Map - No Action Alternative
• Map Alternative 2
• Map Alternative 3
• Map Alternative 4
• Map Alternative 5 - Decision
• Map MAS

The Decision:

The west End OHV project decision was signed by District Ranger Tom Mafera on August 24, 2009. Of the five alternatives analyzed in the final EA, the decision was made to implement Alternative 5.

This decision is specifically related to off highway vehicle (OHV) use within the 91,000 acre West End OHV project area where, once implemented, the designation will change from designated-open to designated-closed to cross country travel.

The decision balances the publics desire to continue various types of OHV use and non-motorized recreation opportunities while protecting natural and cultural resources. It will also increase all forest users’ ability to understand where OHV use can occur and creates consistency across the forest and with adjacent public lands.

What is the decision?

The alternative selected will incorporate the following adjustments to the current Access and Travel Management plan on the west portion of the Heppner Ranger District:

• The designation will change from designated open to designated closed to cross country travel.
• Approximately 13 miles of existing closed roads will be designated as motorized trails for Class I and Class III OHV use.
• Approximately 8 miles of existing closed roads will be designated as seasonally open motorized trails for Class I and Class III OHV use within winter range. These trails will be open between the dates of April 16 to November 30 consistent with guidelines in the Umatilla Forest Plan management area (MA) -C3, winter range.
• The construction of approximately 5 miles of new motorized trails for Class I and Class III OHV routes will provide logical connections to existing routes.
• The designation of roads within the Bull Prairie Campground and administrative site will be changed from designated-open to designated-closed to OHV use.

What are the results of the decision?

• Provides 26 miles of motorized trails for Class I and III OHVs where full size vehicles will not be allowed.
• Provides connections around several roads closed to OHV use due to state law or safety concerns with OHV and full size vehicle use occurring on the same road.
• Provides connections to reduce OHV rider backtracking or isolation of any road system.
• Reduces potential for noxious weed spread and damage to sensitive plants, riparian areas, and cultural resources.
• Provides better elk habitat by reducing areas experiencing OHV disturbance. Designated system results in 464 acres of security cover (> ½ mile from roads or trails) in the Fossil Big Game Unit and 1,692 acres in the Heppner Big Game Hunting Unit.
• Increases area away from potential motorized recreation, including Bull Prairie Campground, and provides 197 miles of closed roads for potential hiking use where OHVs will not travel.
• Continues the use of the previously designated system of 207 miles of roads for Class I, II, and III OHV use.
• Continues the ability to ride OHVs to and from dispersed camping sites as permitted previously.
• Increases the ability for the FS to monitor OHV use by designating where OHV use will occur.

Q&As

When will the decision take effect?
We expect implementation in spring 2010 although all new trails may not be fully constructed until the end of the summer work period. The designated system (36 CFR 261.13) goes into effect and is enforceable when designated routes and areas are identified on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

Is there an implementation plan?
Yes. Databases used to create the MVUM map will be completed and we should be on track to produce the maps by the spring of 2010. Signs in the area will be updated and we anticipate that new trail construction will commence in 2010.

How will I understand the new closures?

• New Map: The forest will publish and distribute a motor vehicle use map (MVUM) that will display designated roads and trails, as well as seasonal restrictions, for motor vehicle us. The prohibition on motor vehicle use off the designated system (36 CFR 261.13) will go into effect and is enforceable when designated routes are identified on an MVUM.
• Signs: Administrative units will post route markers on designated routes and identification signs in designated areas as soon as practicable. Information on route markers and signs must correspond to the information shown on the corresponding MVUM.
• Enforcement: Enforcement of motor vehicle use (36 CFR 261.13) would continue with field presence by qualified forest protection officers, law enforcement officers, and other agency law enforcement personnel, consistent with availability of resources. Public education, route design, and traffic management strategies will complement law enforcement and help users understand which routes are on the designated system and available for use.
• Monitoring will be ongoing.

Can I retrieve game using my ATV this hunting season?
No changes will occur during the 2009 hunting season with the West End OHV Project area. Changes will occur in the Spring of 2010. Once these changes are implemented, the prohibition on motor vehicle use off the designated system (36 CFR 261.13) will go into effect and traveling cross country to retrieve game would not be allowed.

What accommodations did you make for the elderly and disabled?
There is no special allowance under this decision for using OHVs off the designated system for the elderly or the disabled, however, a wide variety of riding opportunities exist in and around the Umatilla National Forest.

Where are other opportunities for riding are available in and around the Umatilla National Forest?
Once implementation occurs, the Heppner Ranger District will have a total of 407 miles of open roads available for OHV use. Across the Umatilla National Forest there remains 1,800 miles of open roads for OHV use. The Winom/Frazier riding area on the North Fork John Day Ranger District has 140 miles of motorized trails. In addition, the Morrow/Grant County OHV Park offers over 186 miles of trails, two jeep crawls, and two play areas.

Can I ride to my campsite at Bull Prairie Campground?
The decision does not designate a motorized trail or route through Bull Prairie Campground. The developed campground serves a wide variety of users and the administrative site will be closed to OHV use. This would include starting OHVs within the campground. Campers can stay in the campground with OHVs but they would be required to haul outside of the campground to unload and ride on the variety of designated roads and trails in proximity to the campground.

Other camping opportunities are:

• Morrow Grant County OHV Park: 35 camp sites, 8 cabins
• Fairview Campground: 5 campsites
• Dispersed camping on District

  Numerous opportunities for riding are available in and around the Umatilla National Forest:
  Once implementation occurs, the Heppner Ranger District will have a total of 407 miles of open roads available for OHV use. Across the Umatilla National Forest there remains 1,800 miles of open roads for OHV use. The Winom/Frazier riding area on the North Fork John Day Ranger District has 140 miles of motorized trails. In addition, the Morrow/Grant County OHV Park offers over 186 miles of trails, two jeep crawls, and 2 play areas.
  

Status of the project?
We are now in the appeal stage of this project.

Appeal opportunities?
Appeal questions should be directed to Janet Plocharsky (541-676-2148) or David Hatfield (541-278-3875). To have standing for an administrative appeal you must have submitted comments during the 30 day comment period. Appeal period begins the first day following publication of the legal notice in the EO. You have 45 days to file your appeal. Legal notice was printed on August 28, 2009. The appeal filling period is from August 29, 2009 to October 13, 2009. The administrative review of any appeals would be completed during the next 45 days (October 14 thru November 30).

Background:

The majority of current Access and Travel Management (ATM) Plans on the Umatilla National Forest are consistent with new OHV Rule direction, with the exception of the West-End Area (91,000 acres) on the Heppner Ranger District. The West-End Area currently does not have a designated system in place. Since the area is currently open, year round, to Class I and Class III OHVs for off road travel it does not meet the intent of the OHV Rule.

Since the ATM plan was completed for the West-End Area in 1992 numerous changes have occurred that highlight the need to re-evaluate the area and establish a designated system. For example:

• There has been an increase in OHV use and the technology has increased machine capability.
• Steelhead trout have become a federally listed species and critical habitat has been designated.
• User-created trails have affected streams, water quality, and meadow systems.
• Incidences of noxious weeds have increased as well as their spread potential.
• Morrow County has established an OHV park that has attracted more recreational riders.
• Recreational riders are interested in more loop riding opportunities.
• Users are more vocal about expressing conflicts and there are more complaints from adjacent landowners.
• Increased use has resulted in the need to re-evaluate mixed use on some open roads.

Forest Officials agreed it was an opportune time to review the West-End area’s existing conditions and consider future management options. The Heppner District initiated public dialog in September of 2006 and has since developed a proposal for this area. The district will begin public scoping on the proposal in mid February 2008. This will present the public with an additional opportunity to provide feedback on the area.

What are the new OHV Rules?

In 2005, the Forest Service published a new travel management rule for providing motor vehicle access to national forests and grasslands. The new rule calls for the designation of roads, trails and areas open to motorized travel to provide:

• better opportunities for sustainable motorized recreation,
• better protection of the environment,
• better protection of cultural resource values
• increased public safety
• ample high-quality access to the National Forest System (NFS) for all users, and
• reduce effects on big game
• consistency for motorized use across the nation

For more information on the Travel Management and OHV Program, visit the national website at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/index.shtml

USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:  Tuesday, 08-Sep-2009 14:47:19 EDT