[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 200 (Monday, October 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53462-53464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24900]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Mountain City, Ruby
Mountains, and Jarbidge Ranger Districts Combined Travel Management
Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: Based on the content of comments received during scoping the
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to disclose the impacts associated with the following
proposed actions:
Changes to the forest transportation system, including
designation of certain unauthorized routes by motor vehicle use,
changing designation of National Forest System (NFS) roads to NFS
trails open for motor vehicle use, and closing some NFS roads for
access or environmental reasons.
Prohibiting motor vehicle use off designated roads and
trails consistent with the national travel management rule.
The three ranger districts currently manage approximately
1,100 miles of motor vehicle routes for public use. The proposed action
could designate as many as 1,300 miles of unauthorized routes to meet
administrative and utilization needs across the three districts. Many
of the unauthorized routes considered for designation have been in
existence for many years but have not been recognized as a part of the
forest transportation system.
DATES: The districts began the travel management process in 2005 and
held an initial set of open houses in late 2005 and early 2006. Between
2006 and 2009, the district rangers met informally with county and
tribal officials as well as user groups. The districts have accepted
comments on this project since January 12, 2009 and will continue to do
so until the publication of a draft EIS during the second quarter of
2010.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should he sent to: Travel Management Team,
Mountain City Ranger District, 2035 Last Chance Road, Elko, NV 89801.
E-mail comments may be submitted to [email protected].
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Winfrey, Humboldt-Toiyabe
National Forest, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, NV 89431. Phone: 775-355-
5308.
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. 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 recreation, including impacts from OHVs, is one of the
``Four Key Threats Facing the Nation's Forests and Grasslands'' (USDA
Forest Service June 2004). Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in unplanned
roads and trails, erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and
impacts to cultural resource sites.
On November 9, 2005, the Forest Service published its final travel
management regulations in the Federal Register (FR Vol. 70, No. 216,
Nov. 9, 2005, pp. 68264-68291). This Travel Management Rule requires
designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor
vehicle use in 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 on the designated system. Only NFS roads and
trails are designated for motorized vehicle use. For an unauthorized
route to be designated, it must first be added to the forest
transportation system.
On some NFS lands long managed as open to cross-country motor
vehicle travel has resulted in unplanned, unauthorized roads and
trails. These routes were generally developed without environmental
analysis or public involvement, and are not designated as NFS roads and
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 NFS of designated roads, trails, and areas. Other
unauthorized routes are poorly located and cause unacceptable impacts
to Forest resources. The Mountain City, Ruby Mountains, and Jarbidge
Ranger Districts recently completed an inventory of unauthorized routes
and have identified approximately 1,300 miles of unauthorized routes
within the boundaries of the districts.
Purpose and Need for Action
On November 9, 2005, the Secretary of Agriculture adopted rules
which provided for a fundamental change in the management of motor
vehicle use on the national forests (70 FR 68288). Until that time,
there was a presumption that all roads, trails, and areas were open to
use by motor vehicles. If use by motor vehicles was not appropriate for
any reason, the Forest Service had to take action to close specific
roads, trails, or areas and prohibit motorized use. This resulted in a
largely unplanned transportation system, with many routes established
by repeated use, and damage to resources occurring from uncontrolled
cross country travel.
The 2005 rule provided a mechanism for transition to a new system
for managing motor vehicle use. Following appropriate environmental
analysis and public involvement, those roads, trails, and areas
designated for motorized use will be identified on a motor vehicle use
map, and any motor vehicle use not consistent with those designations
will be prohibited by the rule (36 CFR 261.13). In this way, the
national forests will provide sustainable transportation systems for
travel and recreation and for management and protection of resources
prone to damage from unmanaged use.
The rule also provides that the management of motor vehicle use is
to be an ongoing process, with continuing evaluation of the
designations and revision as needed (36 CFR 212.54). It is expected
that many changes to the designated system will be made over time to
meet recreation and transportation needs and protect national forest
resources.
The number of unauthorized routes across the Mountain City. Ruby
Mountains, and Jarbidge Ranger Districts has increased over many years.
Some of these routes were established in areas where there is the
potential for resource damage. Prohibiting motor vehicles from
traveling off designated roads and trails would reduce the effects to
natural resources caused by cross-country travel. This action responds
to the goals and objectives outlined in the Humboldt National Forest
Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) (USDA Forest Service
1986). It helps move the project area towards the desired conditions
described in the Forest Plan by allowing motor vehicle use where it
will not unacceptably impact forest resources or unnecessarily impact
other forest users.
The purpose of the proposed action is to designate roads, trails,
and areas for motor vehicle use to meet recreation, access, and
management objectives while limiting environmental impacts and moving
towards a sustainable transportation system across the three districts.
Proposed Action
In general, the routes proposed for addition to the forest
transportation system are rough, unmaintained, and unsuitable for two-
wheel drive low-clearance vehicles. They may be used by Forest Service
personnel in the administration of their duties, ranchers accessing
portions of their allotments, geologists searching for minerals,
hunters and hikers gaining access to remote areas, and others driving
for pleasure on NFS lands.
Following issuance of the decision, all roads and trails designated
for motor vehicle use would be identified on a motor vehicle use map.
Motor vehicle use that is not consistent with the designations will be
prohibited under the terms of 36 CFR 261.13. However, the prohibitions
on motor vehicle use will not apply to the following activities, as
detailed in 36 CFR 261.13:
Aircraft.
Watercraft.
Over-snow vehicles.
Limited administrative use by the Forest Service.
Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement
vehicle for emergency purposes.
Authorized use of any combat or combat-support vehicle for
national defense purposes.
Law enforcement response to violations of law, including
pursuit.
Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a
written authorization issued under Federal law or regulation (e.g.,
woodcutting permits, term grazing permits, approved plans of
operations) (36 CFR 212.51a).
Use of a road or trail that is authorized by a legally
documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other public road
authority.
Responsible Officials
Tom Montoya, District Ranger, Mountain City Ranger District, 2035
Last Chance Road, Elko, NV 89801; and Car Abbas, District Ranger, Ruby
Mountains and Jarbidge Ranger District, 140 Pacific Ave., P.O. Box 246,
Wells, NV 89835.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Based on this environmental analysis, the district rangers will
decide:
Which routes motorized traffic would he restricted to, and
what areas, if any, would he open to cross-country motorized travel.
Which alternative best represents the minimum road system
needed for
[[Page 53464]]
safe and efficient travel and for administration, utilization, and
protection of NFS lands.
Scoping Process
The districts have accepted comments on this project since January
12, 2009, and will continue to do so until the publication of a draft
EIS during the second quarter of 2010. A copy of the Travel Analysis
Process (TAP) is available on the Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/ and at the district offices in Elko and Wells, Nevada. Copies of
project maps can also he viewed on the Internet, or a copy of the maps
on DVD can be requested by contacting the district rangers at the above
addresses. Hard copies of the maps are also available for viewing at
the district offices and public libraries in Elko and Wells, Nevada.
Copies of these maps have also been provided to Elko County and local
tribal offices.
Comment Requested
Comments received before the draft EIS is published will he given
consideration.
Dated: October 5, 2009.
Torn Montoya,
Mountain City District Ranger.
Dated: October 5, 2009.
Nancy Taylor,
Acting for Gar Abbas, Ruby Mountains and Jarbidge District Ranger.
[FR Doc. E9-24900 Filed 10-16-09; 8:45 am]
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