[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72023-72025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28142]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest; California and Nevada; 
Bridgeport Ranger District Travel Management

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement to disclose the impacts associated with 
the following proposed actions:
     Restricting motor vehicles to designated roads and trails, 
consistent with the national travel management rule.
     Changes to the forest transportation system, including the 
recognition and designation of certain user-created routes for motor 
vehicle use.
     The Ranger District currently manages about 1500 miles of 
motor vehicle routes for public use. The proposed action would 
recognize and adopt an additional 300 additional miles of existing 
informal (user-created) roads and trails. Most of these have been in 
existence for many years, but have not been recognized as a part of the 
forest transportation system.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
within 30 days from the date this Notice of Intent is published in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Travel Management Team, Bridgeport 
Ranger District, HCR1, Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517. E-mail comments 
may be submitted to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Loomis, Humboldt Toiyabe 
National Forest, 1536 S. Carson St. Carson City, NV 89701. Phone: 775-
882-2766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Over the past few decades, the availability and capability of 
motorized vehicles, particularly off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and sport 
utility vehicles (SUVs) has increased tremendously. Nationally, the 
number of OHV users has climbed sevenfold in the past 30 years, from 
approximately 5 million in 1972 to 36 million in 2000.
    Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in unplanned roads and trails, 
erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacts to cultural 
resource sites. Compaction and erosion are the primary effects of OHV 
use on soils. Riparian areas and aquatic dependent species are 
particularly vulnerable to OHV use. Unmanaged recreation, including 
impacts from OHVs, is one of ``Four Key Threats Facing the Nation's 
Forests and Grasslands.'' (USDA Forest Service, June 2004).

[[Page 72024]]

    On November 9, 2005, the Forest Service published final travel 
management regulations in the Federal Register (FR Vol. 70, No. 216--
Nov. 9, 2005, pp 68264-68291). This final Travel Management Rule 
requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to 
motor vehicle use on National Forests. Designations will be made by 
class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The final rule 
prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated system as well 
as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are not 
designated.
    On some NFS lands, long managed as open to cross-country motor 
vehicle travel, repeated use has resulted in unplanned, unauthorized, 
roads and trails. These routes generally developed without 
environmental analysis or public involvement, and do not have the same 
status as NFS roads and NFS trails included in the forest 
transportation system. Nevertheless, some unauthorized routes are well-
sited, provide excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation by 
motorized and non-motorized users, and would enhance the National 
Forest system of designated roads, trails and areas. Other unauthorized 
routes are poorly located and cause unacceptable impacts. Only NFS 
roads and NFS trails can be designated for motorized vehicle use. In 
order for an unauthorized route to be designated, it must first be 
added to the national forest transportation system (NFTS).
    The Bridgeport Ranger District recently completed an inventory of 
unauthorized routes on NFS lands and identified approximately 800 miles 
of unauthorized routes. The Bridgeport Ranger District then used an 
interdiscipliary process to conduct travel analysis that included 
working with the public to determine whether any of the unauthorized 
routes should be proposed for addition to the Bridgeport Ranger 
District transportation system in this proposed action. Travel analysis 
developed a number of routes which could be considered in this or 
future decisions on the NFTS as a part of travel management on the 
Bridgeport Ranger District. Roads, trails and areas that are currently 
part of the Bridgeport Ranger District transportation system and are 
open to motorized vehicle travel will remain designated for such use 
except as described below under Proposed Action. This proposal focuses 
only on the prohibition of motorized vehicle travel off designated 
routes and needed changes to the Bridgeport Ranger District 
transportation system, including the addition of some user-created 
routes to the Bridgeport Ranger District transportation. The proposed 
action is being carried forward in accordance with the Travel 
Management Rule (36 CFR Part 212).

Purpose and Need for Action

    There is a need for regulation of unmanaged motorized vehicle 
travel by the public. Currently, motorized vehicle travel by the public 
is not prohibited off designated routes in much of the Ranger District. 
In their enjoyment of the National Forest, motorized vehicle users have 
created numerous unauthorized routes. The number of such routes 
continues to grow each year with many routes having environmental 
impacts and safety concerns that have not been addressed. The Travel 
Management Rule, 36 CFR Part 212, provides policy for ending this trend 
of unauthorized route proliferation and managing the Forest 
transportation system in a sustainable manner through designation of 
motorized NFS roads, trails and areas, and the prohibition of cross-
country travel. There is a need for limited changes and additions to 
the Bridgeport Ranger District transportation system to provide 
motorized access to dispersed recreation opportunities (camping, 
hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, etc.) and to provide for a 
diversity of motorized recreation opportunities (4x4 Vehicles, 
motorcyles, ATVs, passenger vehicles, etc.).
    It is Forest Service policy to provide a diversity of road and 
trail opportunities for experiencing a variety of environments and 
modes of travel consistent with the National Forest recreation role and 
land capability (FSM 2353.03(2)). In meeting these needs the proposed 
action must also achieve the following purposes:
     Avoid impacts to cultural resources.
     Provide for public safety.
     Provide for a diversity of recreational opportunities.
     Assure adequate access to public and private lands.
     Provide for adequate maintenance and administration of 
designations based on availability of resources and funding to do so.
     Minimize damage to soil, vegetation and other forest 
resources.
     Avoid harassment of wildlife and significant disruption of 
wildlife habitat.
     Minimize conflicts between motor vehicles and existing or 
proposed recreational uses of NFS lands.
     Minimize conflicts among different classes of motor 
vehicle uses of NFS lands or neighboring federal lands.
     Assure compatibility of motor vehicle use with existing 
conditions in populated areas, taking into account sound, emissions, 
etc.
     Have valid existing rights of use and access (rights-of-
way).

Proposed Action

    The proposed action would restrict motor vehicles to designated 
roads and trails, consistent with the national travel management rule; 
and change the forest transportation system, including the recognition 
and designation of certain user-created routes for motor vehicle use.
    The Ranger District currently manages about 1500 miles of motor 
vehicle routes for public use. Motor vehicles will continue to be 
welcome on these roads and trails. The proposed action would recognize 
and adopt an additional 300 additional miles of existing informal 
(user-created) roads and trails. Most of these have been in existence 
for many years, but have not been recognized as a part of the forest 
transportation system. Maps and tables describing the proposed action 
can found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/#bridgeport. In 
addition, maps will be available for viewing at the Bridgeport Ranger 
District.

Responsible Official

    Cheryl Probert, District Ranger, Bridgeport Ranger District, HCR1, 
Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517.

Scoping Process

    The first formal opportunity to comment on the Bridgeport Ranger 
District Travel Management Project is during the scoping process (40 
CFR 1501.7), which begins with the issuance of this Notice of Intent. 
All comments, including the names, addresses and when provided, will be 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection. The 
Forest Service is seeking comments from individuals, organizations, and 
local, state, and Federal agencies that may be interested in or 
affected by the proposed action. Comments may pertain to the nature and 
scope of the environmental, social, and economic issues, and possible 
alternatives related to the development of the travel management plan 
and EIS.
    A series of public open houses are scheduled to explain the 
proposed travel plan and route designation process and to provide an 
opportunity for public input.
     Hawthorne, Nevada: December 8, 4-6 p.m. Mineral County 
Public Library. 1st and A St., Hawthorne, NV.
     Bridgeport, California: December 9, 4-6 p.m. Memorial 
Hall, 100 Sinclair St., Bridgeport, CA.

[[Page 72025]]

     Smith Valley, Nevada: December 10, 6-8 p.m. Smith Valley 
High School Multi Purpose Room, 20 Day Lane, Smith, NV.
    Times, dates and locations will also be posted through local public 
notice and on the project Web page at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf. 
Written comments will be accepted at these meetings.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of 
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of 
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's 
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific 
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.

    Dated: November 13, 2008.
Cheryl Probert,
Bridgeport District Ranger.
[FR Doc. E8-28142 Filed 11-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P