New Forest Service Travel Management Plan

[Sandee McCullen]

IMPORTANT................

The new National Forest Service Travel Management Plan is out.......... comments are due by Sept. 13, 2004.

Please read these (boring reading, I know, but believe me they are leaving GAPS to pull "loop holes" through so QUESTION any/all you don't understand or feel is "open ended"..........

I couldn't get a direct link to the Federal Register but you can find it by going to FEDERAL REGISTER through your browser.

Into the Fed. Reg. page you'll find "REGULATIONS" in the left side column.
This will take you to a question: Agency____________ Click on FOREST SERVICE.

The travel management plan is one of three........
Subject: National FS Travel Management Plan, docket, 0596-AC11

I will post some "issues" when I return to town next week.

[k7mto]

Here's a direct link to the three documents...

http://www.regulations.gov/AGCY_FORESTSERVICE.cfm

Thanks, Sandee. Now I have something to read on the plane ride to Oregon tomorrow :)

[Sandee McCullen]

IMPORTANT................

The new National Forest Service Travel Management Plan is out.......... comments are due by Sept. 13, 2004.

Please read these (boring reading, I know, but believe me they are leaving GAPS to pull "loop holes" through so QUESTION any/all you don't understand or feel is "open ended"..........

I couldn't get a direct link to the Federal Register but you can find it by going to FEDERAL REGISTER through your browser.

Into the Fed. Reg. page you'll find "REGULATIONS" in the left side column.
This will take you to a question: Agency____________ Click on FOREST SERVICE.

The travel management plan is one of three........
Subject: National FS Travel Management Plan, docket, 0596-AC11

I will post some "issues" when I return to town next week.

Hi all, Here's something for you to do while I'm gone............ back next Tues.
Here are a few of the "first" questions........... I'll post more when I return to town.........
Sandee

FS ORV Draft Management Rule

Background and Need for Rule
Paragraph 2, Page 42381:
Add to the third sentence: ATV, Modified Golf Carts, motorized vehicle?

Section Analysis of Proposed Rule Changes
Part 212, New Subpart A ? Administration of the Forest Transportation
System
Paragraph 4, Page 42384:
Better definition and clarification of a road/trail is required. Is a road
50 inches wide only for motorized. Maintained by the forest service on a
regular basis for stock 4x4 and SUV's.
And is a trail less than 50 inches wide also for motorized? A trail would
be an unimproved road and not maintained by the Forest Service on a regular
basis and only maintained for modified 4x4.
This paragraph is confusing and does not distinguish what type of use is
allowed. Not all motorized uses occur on roads, trails are an unimproved
road.

Paragraph 5, Page 42384:
Better definition is needed for:
"Temporary road or trail."
"An unauthorized or unclassified road or trail"
And who will designate what these are?
What criteria will be used?
Will the users be taken into account when these designations are made?
Clear definition is needed for vehicles:
The definition does not mention all terrain vehicles, ATC, jeeps, SUV’s, etc. These vehicles should be identified within the plan.

Paragraph 6, Page 42384:
Will this classification take into account the types of road/trails?
Will the off highway experience of this road/trail?
Will the difficultly of the road/trail be taken into account with the
classification?
Will the classification be expanded from what are now, the 5 road
classifications?
Will there be separate classifications for trails apart from roads?
Will the classifications specify "Motorized Trails?"
Will the road classification of a Class 1 road remain? These are roads that require very little maintenance and provide opportunity for a technical off highway experience. These roads need to be considered part of the overall plan.

Paragraph 8, Page 42384:
This paragraph is conflicting. First it is mentioned that unplanned or
user-created roads would be identified through public involvement. But then
says these roads might not be included in the inventory. And then later
stated would be reflected on a use map.
The roads that are now currently on the ground should be considered and
designated under a user/agency route evaluation system. What is currently
on the ground needs to be inventoried and designated, not what was shown on
previous maps or inventories as those inventories are not as advanced as
the systems we are currently using.
Will user information be included, inventoried and evaluated within the plan? These roads/trails should be taken into consideration and be part of the overall plan. This is important user information.

Paragraph 10, Page 42384:
Who will define the areas and what criteria would be used.

Paragraph 11, Page 42384:
This statement contradicts paragraph 5 under Background and Need for Rule,
indicating that motorized travel has increased and also goes against all
data that has been collected. If this rule is to plan for motorized
recreation, the amount of motorized use needs to be part of the plan. Not
only today's use but what increase will be expected in the future and what
impact will that have on smaller areas of use with more people?

The idea of designating areas of motorized use being in old quarries or
other areas that have been altered is a good perception, but also the
impact of many vehicles in smaller and smaller areas needs to be kept in
these decisions.

Paragraph 12, Page 42384:
Would this "Travel Management Atlas" be available to the general public?

Paragraph 13, Page 42384:
Area is not included in this paragraph.

Part 212, New Subpart B ? Designation of Roads, Trails, and Areas for Motor
Vehicle Use
Paragraph 1, Page42384:
This paragraph refers to class of vehicle. Who will be the one to develop
the standards? Does class specify capability of vehicle and equipment
requirements? If so, the FS or any other agency does not have the expertise
to decide what class of vehicle can go on what trail.
If it is just ATV, snowmobile, etc., that isn't clearly defined.
This occurs in the next paragraph also.
Paragraph 5, Page 42386:
Responsible officials will have the flexibility to designate roads, trails
and areas for motor vehicle use. Will this be with the input of the users
of the area? Or will it be done without any specific user data.

Paragraph 5, Page 42386:
User-created routes being included in the transportation atlas by decision
of responsible official. Again will this be with the input of the users and
specific data, or just designated by official?

Paragraph 7, Page 42386:
Resource guidelines are being requested for specific items such as noise.
Who and how will this be decided as to the levels?

Paragraph 8, Page 42386:
The public will be involved in the process of designating roads and trails.
To provide easier designation of trails and roads, possible meetings with
major organized user groups prior to general public input might help
shorten the process.

Paragraph 9, Page 42386:
Previous sections indicate the user-create roads and trails will be
included in the plan, why does this paragraph indicate that possibly not
all of these routes will be included. Who will determine which ones are
included and which ones aren't?

Paragraph 16, Page 42387:
Will maintenance also be addressed as to the use of user groups through
partnership?

Paragraph 17, Page 42387:
Will all of these considerations be through the agency only without user
groups participating? Or will only select groups such as Sierra Club and
Southwest Center be the consulting user group?

Paragraph 19, Page 42387:
Why won't required outcomes be part of the decision? Outcomes should
include future usage of the areas.

212.1 Definitions
Paragraph 5 & 6, Page 42391:
Add "area" to both of these paragraphs.

Paragraph 13, Page 42392:
Does not indicate that snowmobiles should be driven on snow.

212.52 Public Involvement in the Designation Process
Paragraph 1, subsection (2), Page 42392:
Will major local user groups be consulted prior to or after a road closure
due to adverse effects? Or will this just be an internal decision? Local
groups provide very valuable input and labor through partnerships.

212.56 Identification of designated roads, trails and areas
Paragraph 1, Page 42394:
Again who and how will classification of vehicles be accomplished?