[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 175 (Friday, September 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46739-46741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21851]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Gila National Forest; New Mexico; Gila National Forest Travel 
Management Rule Implementation

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Gila National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement to evaluate a proposed action that would implement the 
agency's Travel Management Rule (TMR). The proposed action would 
eliminate cross country travel by motorized vehicle and designate a 
system of roads, trails and areas open for motorized vehicle use. Motor 
vehicle access for purposes such as motor vehicle-based dispersed 
camping and big game retrieval of deer and elk are also described. The 
Rule provides for certain exemptions such as emergency use, law 
enforcement, those holding a specific written authorization, and 
limited Forest Service administrative use.
    The full text and maps of the proposed action will located on the 
Forest's Web site at http://fs.usda.gov/gila (Click on the link to 
Travel Management Rule).
    The designated routes and areas will be published on a Motor 
Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) available free of charge to the public in 
accordance with the Travel Management Rule. The MVUM will be the 
primary tool for compliance and enforcement.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by October 26, 2009. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is 
expected in May 2010 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement is 
expected September 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Gila National Forest, Attn: Travel 
Management Coordinator, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 
88061. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to (575) 388-8222. Electronic 
attachments must be in one of the following formats: .doc, .rtf, .txt, 
or .pdf.
    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.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Mizuno, Travel Management 
Coordinator, at (575) 388-8267 or [email protected]. The 
proposed action, maps, and other pertinent information about this 
project can be found on the Forest's Web site: http://fs.usda.gov/gila 
(click on link to Travel Management Rule).
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Purpose and Need for Action

    There is a need to comply with 36 CFR 212.51(a) which requires the 
forest to designate a system of roads, trails and areas for vehicle use 
by vehicle class, and if appropriate by time of year.
     There is a need to manage motorized vehicle use on NFS 
lands on the Gila National Forest in accordance with the provisions of 
the Travel Management Rule and 36 CFR parts 212, 251, and 261.
     There is a need to comply with 36 CFR 261.13 which 
requires that forests prohibit motor vehicle use off the system of 
designated roads, trails and areas (close the forest to motorized 
cross-country travel).
     There is a need to amend the Forest Plan to comply with 
the Travel Management Rule.

Proposed Action

    During 2009-2010, the Gila National Forest will evaluate the 
proposed action and alternative(s), with a decision expected in 
September 2010.
    As required by TMR, the Forest utilized the following information 
in developing the proposed action: Public input on needs and desires; 
resource resilience and sensitive areas; traditional uses and forest 
access; and effects to natural resources. Maps and tables show the 
elements of the proposed action that is described below: Maps can be 
found at http://fs.usda.gov/

[[Page 46740]]

gila (Click on link to Travel Management Rule).
    The Forest proposes to:
     Close the Forest to motorized cross-country travel.
     Add 8.3 miles of unauthorized routes and designate as 
National Forest System (NFS) roads open to all vehicle types.
     Re-open 3 miles of NFS closed roads to all vehicle types.
     Change vehicle type on 31.5 miles of NFS roads to highway 
legal vehicles only. Highway legal vehicles are those motor vehicles 
licensed under State law for general operation on all public roads 
within the State.
     Change time of year on 2.8 miles of NFS roads to be 
designated seasonally open, for all vehicle types, from April 1 through 
September 1.
     Change the use on 275 miles of existing NFS roads from 
open to all motorized traffic to open for periodic administrative use 
or specific permitted uses only.
     Close 962 miles of open NFS roads to all motorized vehicle 
uses.
     Add 55 miles of unauthorized routes and designate as 
National Forest System (NFS) trails for motorized vehicles less than 50 
inches in width.
     Convert 23 miles of NFS closed or decommissioned roads to 
NFS trails for motorized vehicles less than 50 inches in width.
     Convert 97 miles of NFS roads to NFS trails for motorized 
vehicles less than 50 inches in width.
     Convert 5 miles of NFS closed or decommissioned roads to 
NFS trails for foot/horse use.
     Convert 24 miles of NFS roads to NFS trails for foot/horse 
use.
     Change 1 mile of motorized NFS trail to foot/horse use.
     For the purpose of motorized dispersed camping, designate 
a specified distance of 300 feet on each side of:
    [cir] 1,513 miles of designated open forest roads,
    [cir] 1 mile of unauthorized roads, and
    [cir] 6 miles of county roads.
     Designate a specified distance of 1 mile on each side of 
open forest roads, county roads, and State and Federal highways on Gila 
National Forest system lands for the purpose of motorized big game 
retrieval.
     Designate 113.5 acres open to all motorized vehicle use.

Methods and Descriptions

    The above describes the elements of the proposed action. The 
following describes methods and definitions of components of the 
proposed action:

Converting Roads to Motorized or Non-Motorized Trails

    The conversion of roads to motorized or non-motorized trails would 
entail such things as signing, restricting access based on type of 
trail designation, and using mechanical equipment to define or 
establish applicable tread width over the length.

Motorized Dispersed Camping

    In the Gila National Forest, motorized dispersed camping is mostly 
characterized as vehicles towing travel trailers or other types of 
trailers and driving off of roads some distance and setting up camp. 
Activities or the make-up of the camp often centers around the vehicle 
or trailers. The TMR allows for the designation of motor vehicle use 
within specified distances of certain designated routes, solely for the 
purposes of dispersed camping (36 CFR 212.51(b)).
    To continue this type of camping opportunity in the Forest, motor 
vehicles may be driven 300 feet off of each side of certain designated 
roads for purposes of motorized dispersed camping and would be 
displayed on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). A total of 1,520 miles 
of Forest and County roads would be available for motorized dispersed 
camping.
    Dispersed camping such as tent camping may occur anywhere on the 
Forest. Parking for this type of dispersed camping may occur along any 
designated open road. Parking would be limited to one vehicle length, 
including any towed trailer, from the side of the road. Parking should 
occur where it is safe to park (e.g. traffic), does not cause resource 
damage (e.g. ruts), or not already restricted.

Big Game Retrieval

    The Forest proposes to designate a specified distance of 1 mile 
from each side of designated open roads, county roads, and State and 
Federal highways for the purpose of retrieving a downed big game 
animal, specifically limited to deer and elk. Hunters must possess a 
valid deer or elk license for game management units (GMU) 15, 16A, 16B, 
16C, 16D, 21A, 22, 23, and 24.
    Motorized big game retrieval only applies to those portions of GMU 
15, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 21A, 22, 23, and 24 that are within the Gila 
National Forest boundary. The use of motorized vehicles to retrieve a 
legally harvested and tagged deer or elk is limited to a distance of 
one mile either side of Forest open roads, county roads, and State and 
Federal highways. The distance of one mile applies only to Gila 
National Forest System lands. Motorized vehicles are prohibited where 
the one mile distance is within:
     National Forest Wilderness areas (36 CFR 261.18);
     National Forest Primitive areas (36 CFR 261.21);
     Restricted roads, trails, or areas specified in forest 
orders (36 CFR 261.50).
    All applicable New Mexico big game hunting regulations must be 
followed. To protect forest resources on Forest designated open roads 
or off the designated road system (cross-country), applicable laws or 
regulations must be followed, such as:
     Roads should not be damaged and left in a damaged 
condition (36 CFR 261.12(c)).
     Retrieval of big game should take a relatively direct and 
safe route (R3 TMR Guidelines, June 2008).
     Motor vehicle use off road should not damage or 
unreasonably disturb the land, wildlife, or vegetative resources (36 
CFR 261.15(h)).
     Use the minimum number of trips to retrieve a downed 
animal (R3 TMR Guidelines, June 2008).
     Only one vehicle would be allowed for game retrieval per 
harvested animal (R3 TMR Guidelines, June 2008).
     Motor vehicle use should not damage any natural feature or 
other property of the United States (36 CFR 261.9(a)).

Forest Plan Amendments

    Two Forest Land Management Plan (LMP) amendments are needed to 
bring both the LMP up to date with current management of the Forest and 
to be in compliance with the Travel Management Rule and proposal. The 
following LMP amendments would be implemented:
    1. The following site specific language found in Management Area 
(MA) 4B (pg. 131 and 139) and MA 4C (page 129) would be removed.
    a. ``Area above Mule Creek to remain open to all entry year-
round.''
    b. ``Hells Hole will remain open to vehicle use, but because of 
topography, vehicle use will not occur in most portions of the area.''
    Motorized vehicle designations would be detailed in the final TMR 
decision. In the proposed action, there is a proposed designated route 
above the Mule Creek area and no cross-country motor vehicle use is 
allowed. Hells Hole would be closed to cross-country motor vehicle use.
    1. Amend the Gila National Forest LMP to add or remove language 
from the Recreation Standards and Guidelines related to the ORV Policy 
to

[[Page 46741]]

be consistent with the Travel Management Rule. For more information on 
the full text, see the For Further Information section.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The U.S. Forest Service--Gila National Forest is the lead agency. 
Catron County, NM; Hidalgo County, NM; Grant County, NM; and Sierra 
County, NM are cooperating agencies.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is the Gila Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is how to implement the Travel Management 
Rule. The responsible official will decide whether to implement the 
proposed action or an alternative to the proposed action. The decision 
to be made will also determine whether or not to implement two proposed 
Forest Plan amendments.

Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the Environmental Impact Statement. Ten open houses 
are planned for the purpose of providing information to the public 
regarding this proposed action and soliciting comments. Open houses are 
scheduled for September 19, 2009, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Las Cruces, NM, 
location TBA; September 22, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Glenwood, NM, Glenwood 
School; September 23, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Mimbres, NM, location TBA; 
September 24, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Reserve, NM, Reserve Ranger District 
Office; September 25, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Cliff, NM, location TBA; 
September 26, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Silver City, NM, County Convention 
Center; September 29, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Truth or Consequences, NM, Black 
Range District Office; October 1, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Luna, NM, Luna 
Community Center; October 2, 2009, 3-8 p.m., Quemado, NM, Quemado High 
School; October 3, 2009, 10 a.m-12 noon, Lordsburg, NM, location TBA. 
Information can also be obtained at the following Web site: http://fs.usda.gov/gila (Click on link to Travel Management Rule).
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. 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 appeal or judicial review.

    Dated: September 2, 2009.

Richard E. Markley,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-21851 Filed 9-10-09; 8:45 am]
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