The TNF FEIS is out. I am having computer power problems right now and am posting mobile but later tonight I will be listing some highlights including some great wins for us.

Read about it here. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/projects_plans/ohv_inv/

I would like to bump this because its.the first time there has ever been a post with EIS and a smile attached. :)

We have has a few little saves here because of the work of many pirate members.

Rattlesnake road is street legal drivable only from what I hear. That's going to suck for a lot of people on Fordyce, and will probably really hurt Cisco campground...

Rattlesnake road is street legal drivable only from what I hear. That's going to suck for a lot of people on Fordyce, and will probably really hurt Cisco campground...

That is incorrect. A BIG win for us is that is was changed from a L3 to a L2.

L3=Street plated only on Rattlesnake. (it has been street legal only all along)

L2= OHV green sticker as well as street plated are ok :smokin:

Ok, maybe I misunderstood. I hope that's the case!

Per Tom Quinn (TNF Forest Supervisor)



"1. I allowed motorized mixed use on certain routes recommended by the public during the comment period. These routes, which have been identified in our NFTS objectives as Maintenance Level 3 roads (typically low speed, single lane roads with turnouts maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car), will now be maintained as Maintenance Level 2 roads (roads open for use by high clearance vehicles). Lowering the maintenance levels of these routes will allow the Forest Service to accomplish the needed management of natural resources on the Forest and will improve the affordability of the NFTS. An additional benefit of reducing the maintenance levels on these routes is that it provides for motorized mixed use. These routes provide connections between various motorized trails so allowing mixed use on them creates opportunities for off-highway vehicle loop trips."

I suppose I mis-read it too:


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Rattlesnakerd.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/legend1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/legend2.jpg


I was under the impression that High Clearance vehicles were street legal, and that the road is ML3. The paragraph you sited makes sense, and that it is going to be down graded to a ML2. (When, I'm not sure)

It will still have the same seasonal restrictions.

We did get a Open to snow travel over 15" from Eagle Lakes to the first River Crossing which was a HUGE win!!! You can see the turquoise highlight to the left of the map.

It may be an oversight, but I wonder how folks will get green sticker rigs to the staging area, and where will there be trailer parking during the Winter? We should probably work that out and come up with a plan before the snow flies.

I know the FS asked Rick if WeBilt would be willing to monitor the gate, and open it when the snow reached 15". I'll have to see if anyone at WeBilt has been contacted by the FS yet.

Also, we should probably see how complicated it will be to get a "Combined Use" road designation between the cutoff from Cisco and the EL entrance to the trail.

I just want to highlight a couple of points in which we were able to influence the decision making with meetings/letters. WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The following is directly out of the FEIS

Modifications to Alternative 6 in Response to Comments

I shortened the seasonal restrictions on motor vehicle use by one month for routes on the westside of the Forest to enhance opportunities for motorized recreation. Hence, wet weather seasonal closures will run from January 1 to March 31 on the westside of the Forest.

• I allowed wheeled over-the-snow motor vehicle use on 3.6 miles of the Fordyce jeep trail when 15 inches of snow is present on the ground. (To clarify this is from the Eagle Lake trailhead to the first water xing)

In addition, although not a change from the DEIS Preferred Alternative, it is worth noting that the majority of Maintenance Level 3, 4, and 5 roads will remain available for wheeled over-the-snow motor vehicle use.


(This is where Rattlesnake road comes into play)


I allowed motorized mixed use on certain routes recommended by the public during the comment period. These routes, which have been identified in our NFTS objectives as Maintenance Level 3 roads (typically low speed, single lane roads with turnouts maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car), will now be maintained as Maintenance Level 2 roads (roads open for use by high clearance vehicles). Lowering the maintenance levels of these routes will allow the Forest Service to accomplish the needed management of natural resources on the Forest and will improve the affordability of the NFTS. An additional benefit of reducing the maintenance levels on these routes is that it provides for motorized mixed use. These routes provide connections between various motorized trails so allowing mixed use on them creates opportunities for off-highway vehicle loop trips.



I added numerous, primarily short unauthorized route segments recommended by the public to the NFTS to provide motorized access to dispersed recreation sites where I found no significant adverse resource impacts associated with such additions.

The one vehicle off the trail parking will apply in the TNF the same as the El Dorado, but we were able to secure access to a few key camping spots along the trail. Tinman will be able to expand on the exacts of this but again a BIG win for us.

To address the question of combined use on Eagle Lakes road, I have been talking to the TNF about it and plan to do more this winter to see how we can get that designation. Randy has been kind of coaching me on it since he has some experience on the Con. It's definitely not an easy process.

If anyone is of the understanding that Rattlesnake may be legal in the winter for use I believe Cisco will still have rights to it as a snowmobile track.

We have 45 days to appeal anything in the FEIS.

Implementation Date: If no appeals are filed within the 45 day appeal period, implementation of the decision may occur on, but not before, five business days from the close of the appeal filing period. When appeals are filed, implementation may occur on, but not before, the 15th business day following the date of the last appeal disposition.

These are spurs that are in the allowed travel plan.

The short road towards the Carlisle Mine.

The camping spot on the left down by the waterfall as you approach water crossing #3.

Looks like the area to the right of WH1 coming in is ok. We need to confirm.

They also added something just on the Eagle Lakes side of the Committee crossing. We'll have to get a clarification from the FS.

These are the kinds of things that are a direct result of our comments.

GOOD JOB!!

I have already been approached by the FS about how to administer the over the snow travel on the lower part of the trail. THe people I talked to want to get the details hammered out before it becomes an issue by being proavtive about it. I have a request in for some meetings about it at the FS office.

Can someone explain the Difference between "High Clearance Vehicles" and "High Clearance Trail Vehicles"?

Am I the only one noticing a change in terminology?

Can someone explain the Difference between "High Clearance Vehicles" and "High Clearance Trail Vehicles"?

Am I the only one noticing a change in terminology?

I noticed that too, but it looks like they are using the "high clearance vehicles" terminology when referring to roads, and "high clearance trail vehicles" when referring to trails.

edit: I would assume that they are referring to the same type of vehicle but use the different terminology to help keep the road/trail split easier to identify on the map.

So you would be good on any trail, and then on the roads it would be dependant upon the maintenance level to determine whether green sticker is ok or not

Is the committee trail not visible on purpose?

Committee trail is on private property, therefore is not included in the scope of the project

Let's clarify that a bit more....

In all USDA National Forests, unless there is an existing easement, they will not designate a route on the MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map).

The ID team stated specifically (at the SEIS meetings) that just because a route was not depicted on a MVUM, but there were obvious FS trials on either side of it, does not mean the route is closed. It may mean that we have to get an easement from the property owner, or that in the case of Rattlesnake/Committee Rd., we are allowed to pass.

I noticed that too, but it looks like they are using the "high clearance vehicles" terminology when referring to roads, and "high clearance trail vehicles" when referring to trails.

edit: I would assume that they are referring to the same type of vehicle but use the different terminology to help keep the road/trail split easier to identify on the map.

So you would be good on any trail, and then on the roads it would be dependant upon the maintenance level to determine whether green sticker is ok or not

I'll check the DOC for clarification - it's not consistent with other NFS plans.

If you guys can get a clarification from TNF that would be very helpful.