National OHV Policy

While this may not directly impact us now, it may soon if implemented nationally. Remember, Tellico is a National Forest area.

 

Robert

 

Moderator's Note:

The below references a Forest Service Open House for the Lassen and
Plumas NFs in California.  While the general message of grant
applications applies to a limited distribution, there is an
additional topic of interest to ALL people that recreate in a
national forest.

The Forest Service in developing a National OHV Policy.  One element
related to the policy is a shift from "open" to "designated trails"
for recreation in forests.  This will have an ompact on your
recreation opportunities.  ALL national forests are undertaking a
route inventory which will be followed by a route designation.  Some
Forests are nearing completion; others have not started.

Your involvement is needed!!!  If your favorite routes ARE NOT
inventoried, they are considered CLOSED.  Just being on the inventory
does not guarantee your favorite routes will remain open.  Your
participation is needed.

Additional details will be distributed as they become available.  I
will address any questions you may have about the route inventory and
route designation process.

************************************

I'm getting the word out to 4x4 clubs that may recreate in the Lassen
and Plumas National Forests.  The Lassen and Plumas NF's are having a
open house Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at the Oroville Library, 1820
Mitchell Ave., Oroville, CA; 7-8 pm

They plan to informally discuss their 2005 OHV grant money
application and display their winter and summer OHV route maps they
are scheduled to complete end of 2005.  Many I call don't even know
the FS is going to be limiting our recreation opportunities in the
near future if people don't get involved.  Attached is a document
with links on their plan.  Please let me know if you are interested
in more info or if you know of additional clubs or individuals I
should contact.

Best Regards,

Doug Teeter
650-969-6641


************************************

IMPORTANT NEWS - WILL YOUR US FOREST SERVICE ROAD/TRAIL BE CLOSED!!!!

If you have a favorite motorcycle, 4x4, ATV, or mountain bike trail
on "US Forest Service" land it may be closed forever in the very near
future if you don't get involved now.  This is especially important
for roads and trails that are easily overlooked, seldom used,
overgrown, SECRET, etc.

The Chief of the Forest Service has identified "unmanaged
recreation", especially the undesirable impacts from OHVs, as one of
the key threats facing the Nation's forests and grasslands today.
That is the opening sentence from the January 7th "On the Right
Trail" a USFS online article you should read.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/sitka/ohv_policy. html
(If printed and included, see Exhibit A)

The article briefly states the policy development for three key issues:

1. Moving the agency to a system of designated routes for OHV
activity to minimize or eliminate the impacts from current un-managed
use
2. Generally prohibiting cross-country travel by OHVs.
3. Completing OHV designation decisions at the field level

What does this mean to you?  Basically that the days of open OHV
riding across the forest use are over.  The USFS is currently mapping
existing roads, trails, and OHV areas in all of the National Forests.
OHV travel will be restricted to these OHV routes and areas once the
map is complete.  A local USFS field office will designate which
trails in your area will be OHV and eventually enforce the ban on
cross-country travel which will include your favorite trail if it is
not on their map.  All forests are amending their plans similar to
this report from the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/snfpa/implementation/ohv-route-repor t.html
(If printed and included, see Exhibit B)

It states their designation process to be 100% complete by end of
2005.  Though the Lassen NF OHV coordinator stated their mapping
process is to be complete by end of 2005 and have proposed trail
designations by end of 2006.


So what can you do?  GET YOUR ROAD OR TRAIL ON THE MAP before the
mapping process is completed!

How can you do this?  Get involved and ensure your trail becomes OHV
or Bicycle designated.
Most Forest Districts have released press releases indicating
meetings for public input on these maps and the process, similar to
this one from Plumas NF.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas/news/2003/11/nov7_ohv_worksho ps.shtml
(If printed and included, see Exhibit C)

You will need to visit the Ranger District in the Forest where your
trail is located and look at their map.  If your trail is not on the
map you can request that they put it there.  I'm not sure how exactly
this is done yet since my NF is just getting their maps available to
the public today, March 11, 2004.  Call your National Forests
Supervisor's office and talk to the person in charge of the "OHV
mapping and trail designation process".  Visit the USFS website and
search for your forest or call the Washington office (202) 205-8333
and ask for your Forests' phone number.

http://www.fs.fed.us/aboutus/national.shtml

The above facts I believe are accurate and up to date but your local
forest may be slightly different.  I've been told by the Blue Ribbon
Coalition that if it's on the Forest Service Map we will have a
chance to save it first through communication and collaboration with
the Forest Service then possibly through legal action as a last
resort.  Access groups such as the Blue Ribbon Coalition and
International Mountain Bicycling Association should be able to help
so do contact them on your issues.

I've chosen to get involved now because I've seen first hand what
happened to my local challenging mountain bike trails.  I stayed
uniformed and ignorantly left a non biker majority to make the
decision on what I can ride in the bay area.  I am very disappointed
that it is may come to this in the national forest I've been riding
at for over 20 years.  Especially disappointing is that this USFS
policy is being enacted due to lawsuits and urban encroachment, 1 and
2 on Sierra Nevada's list.  For a good example check this link.
Apologies for the big download.

http://dorringtoninstruments.com/core/Documents/Interface_Ap peal_Final.pdf
(If printed and included, see PDF file in Exhibit D, compact
disk)

These types of lawsuits leverage so called environmental impacts
against motorcycles, mountain bikes, 4x4's, ATV, etc.  If you're a
motorcyclist, doesn't your trail area look just like the pictures at
the end of this document?  If you're a Mtn Biker, 4x4, or ATVist I'm
sure you've heard of people complain as well.  It doesn't matter if
that trail has been like that for years, many of my trails look just
like that and most of them are 20 years old.  Please don't harass
CORE, they just conveniently posted their appeal on the internet as
an example for us all.  If you're upset after reading this, then
please get involved in these planning stages and then write letters
to your political representatives and give them your two cents on
what you want in your land.

I'm working to save my trails for you and I hope you'll get involved
so I can visit your trails someday.

Best regards,

Doug Teeter
yourtrailnext@yahoo.com
Titus Switchblade pedaler
KTM 520 EXC trail rider and part time AMA District 36 enduro racer
Blue Ribbon Coalition Member, and you should be too!  www.sharetrails.org





--
John Stewart
Director, Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations, http://www.ufwda.org
Natural Resource Consultant
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, http://www.ca4wdc.com
Recreation Access and Conservation Editor, http://www.4x4wire.com
Moderator, MUIRNet - Multiple Use Information Resource Network

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