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Eldorado National Forest Route Designation Project
Clarification of Questions Asked by the Public
Over the past few weeks, several issues have been raised by the public via email, telephone calls, and our
bi-weekly public conference calls that need to be clarified. The following items seem to be the most
confusing to the public. If there are other issues that you would like clarification on, please contact
Anthony Scardina, Route Designation Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at (530) 621-5276 or by email at
ascardina@fs.fed.us.
DOES THE NEW NATIONAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RULE AFFECT THE
ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST ROUTE DESIGNATION PROCESS?
Yes, the new travel management rule does apply and will be used in the designation process.
On November 2, 2005, the USDA Forest Service released the final rule on the new National Travel
Management rule in the Federal Register. The final rule requires the designation of those roads, trails,
and areas to be open to motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The rule
prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes
and in areas that is not consistent with the designations. As a result of this new rule, the Eldorado
National Forest must ensure that the route designation process and final decision on a designated system
are in accordance with the new rule. However, the Forest will continue to follow the 5-step Regional
Process, the Eldorado National Forest Timeline for preparing and completing an environmental impact
statement to designate routes, and the public involvement plan that we have been implementing. Visit the
project webpage at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/index for more information about the
5-Step Process and to view the Timeline.
On October 26, 2005, the Eldorado National Forest released a Notice of Intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement to designate routes for public off-highway wheeled motor vehicles in the
Federal Register. The language and design of this Notice of Intent is consistent with the final rule.
Although the new rule has some changes in wording, this does not require the Forest to prepare and
release another Notice of Intent. These changes will be corrected in the purpose and need and proposed
action released in the draft environmental impact statement, which is expected to be released by June
2006.
The only changes identified at this time is on page 61779 of the Federal Register for the Notice of Intent
under the heading Compliance With Code of Federal Regulation in the Purpose and Need section. As
a result of the final rule, Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 212 governing administration of the forest
transportation system and regulations at 36 CFR 295 governing use of motor vehicles off National Forest
System (NFS) roads were combined and clarified in the final rule as part 212, Travel Management,
covering the use of motor vehicles on NFS lands. Although the items under that heading of the Purpose
and Need section in the Notice of Intent are similar to those in the final rule, some language has changed
and some items have been added, that will need to be incorporated in the Purpose and Need released in
the draft environmental impact statement. The new language and items in the final rule can be found at
the following link (
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/final.pdf) under section 212.55 Criteria
for designation of roads, trails, and areas. The Proposed Action in the Notice of Intent is consistent
with the final rule.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ROUTE INVENTORY MAP AND
THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS MAP?
Several people have stated that the difference between the route inventory map and the Motor Vehicle
Restrictions map is not clear. It is important to understand the difference between these maps to
effectively participate in the route designation process.
Route Inventory Map
Over the past 4 years, the Eldorado National Forest has assigned crews to map all existing motorized
routes on the Eldorado National Forest with global positioning systems (GPS). As this information was
collected, it was entered into a global information system (GIS), which maps the identified routes on the
computer. This inventory includes all existing motorized routes on the Forest, including National Forest
System roads (identified in black lines on the map), National Forest System trails (identified in red lines
on the map), unauthorized routes (identified in orange lines on the map), decommissioned routes
(identified in green lines on the map), and other areas either open or closed to motor vehicles. These maps
can be found on the Eldorado National Forest website at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route,
or they can be acquired on CD by request. The Eldorado National Forest held a 120 day public comment
period on the route inventory map, which ended September 1, 2005. In addition, public meetings were
held in Folsom, Georgetown, Placerville, Jackson, and Markleeville to discuss the route inventory map.
Motor Vehicle Restrictions Map
On August 25, 2005, the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor released a Forest Order restricting wheeled
motor vehicles to the approximately 2,200 miles of National Forest System roads and trails on the Forest.
This order was based on a ruling from the US District Court for the Eastern District of California, which
found the Eldorado National Forest 1990 Off-Highway Vehicle Plan to be in violation of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Subsequently on August 16, 2005, the judge ordered that all
wheeled motor vehicle use on the Eldorado National Forest be restricted to NFS roads and trails until a
new environmental impact statement was prepared and issued to designated routes by December 31, 2007.
The day the Forest Order was released, the Forest also started handing out a new Motor Vehicle
Restrictions map. This map shows all of the National Forest System roads and trails that are open to
wheeled motor vehicles until the Eldorado National Forest designates routes.
The Difference Between the Maps
The difference between the maps is that the route inventory map has all existing motorized routes on the
Eldorado National Forest, regardless of whether they are National Forest System roads or trails. For
example, the route inventory map includes the approximately 700 miles of unauthorized (sometime
referred to as user created) routes existing on the Forest. The Motor Vehicle Restrictions map, only
includes National Forest System roads and trails open for wheeled motor vehicle use while the Forest
designates routes. It does not include the approximately 700 miles of unauthorized routes existing on the
Forest, because they are closed to wheeled motor vehicle use.
The route inventory map is what we are working from as we prepare an environmental impact statement
to designate routes. All existing routes identified on the route inventory map may be considered during
the route designation process. The purpose of the Motor Vehicle Restrictions map, on the other hand, is
only to enforce the court order and forest order recently issued. This map will remain in effect until the
route designation process is complete.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THE MAINTENANCE LEVELS DISCUSSED IN
THE NOTICE OF INTENT?
Maintenance levels define the level of service provided by, and maintenance required for, a specific road.
Maintenance levels must be consistent with road management objectives and maintenance criteria. The
Forest Service has five maintenance levels. All information related to service and maintenance of
National Forest System roads can be found at Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 7709.58 – Transportation
System Maintenance Handbook, effective September 4, 1992.
Level 1. Assigned to intermittent service roads during the time they are closed to vehicular traffic. The
closure period must exceed 1 year. Basic custodial maintenance is performed to keep damage to adjacent
resources to an acceptable level and to perpetuate the road to facilitate future management activities.
Emphasis is normally given to maintaining drainage facilities and runoff patterns. Planned road
deterioration may occur at this level. Appropriate traffic management strategies are “prohibit” and
“eliminate.”
Roads receiving level 1 maintenance may be of any type, class, or construction standard, and may be
managed at any other maintenance level during the time they are open for traffic. However, while being
maintained at level 1, they are closed to vehicular traffic, but may be open and suitable for nonmotorized
uses.
Level 2. Assigned to roads open for use by high clearance vehicles. Passenger car traffic is not a
consideration. Traffic is normally minor, usually consisting of one or a combination of administrative,
permitted, dispersed recreation, or other specialized uses. Log haul may occur at this level. Appropriate
traffic management strategies are either to: (1) discourage or prohibit passenger cars, or (2) accept or
discourage high clearance vehicles.
Level 3. Assigned to roads open and maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger
car. User comfort and convenience are not considered priorities. Roads in this maintenance level are
typically low speed, single lane with turnouts and spot surfacing. Some roads may be fully surfaced with
either native or process material. Appropriate traffic management strategies are either “encourage” or
“accept.” “Discourage” or “prohibit may be employed for certain classes of vehicles or users.
Level 4. Assigned to roads that provide a moderate degree of user comfort and convenience at moderate
travel speeds. Most roads are double lane and aggregate surfaced. However, some roads may be single
lane. Some roads may be paved and/or dust abated. The most appropriate traffic management strategy is
“encourage.” However, the “prohibit” strategy may apply to specific classes of vehicles or users at
certain times.
Level 5. Assigned to roads that provide a high degree of user comfort and convenience. These roads
are normally double lane, paved facilities. Some may be aggregate surfaced and dust abated. The
appropriate traffic management strategy is “encourage.”
In summary maintenance level 1 roads are closed to vehicular traffic, maintenance level 2 roads are open
for use by high clearance vehicles, and maintenance levels 3, 4, and 5, roads are open to passenger car or
highway legal vehicles and subject to the Federal Highway Safety Act. The definition of native surface
mentioned above simply means dirt.
WHY WAS THE SEASONAL CLOSURE IN THE PROPOSED ACTION OF THE
NOTICE OF INTENT NOT DISCUSSED AT ANY PUBLIC MEETINGS?
At public meetings and other discussions with the public over the past several months we stated that we
did not intend to address seasonal closures in the environmental impact statement to designate routes on
the Eldorado National Forest. This truly was the our objective. However, after close review of public
input and the Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (ENF LRMP) during
preparation of the Notice of Intent, we identified two standards and guidelines that require us to institute
seasonal closures for motorized use. These standards and guidelines can be found on page 61779 of the
Notice of Intent in the Purpose and Need section under the Compliance with standards and guidelines
in the ENF LRMP heading (
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/documents/route/enf-route-final-noi.pdf).
These standards and guidelines state: (1) a closure plan will be instituted for motorized use during wet
weather periods to reduce damage to native surface trails. The plan will allow for trails to be open when
soil conditions permit; and (2) stabilize the surface of roads available for all weather use. Confine use to
the dry seasons except on stabilized roads and trails. Native surface refers to dirt roads and trails,
whereas stabilized refers to gravel and paved roads and trails. In other words, a seasonal closure of dirt
roads and trails must be instituted during wet weather periods to reduce damage to dirt roads and trails.
Based on these standards and guidelines, the Forest Supervisor proposed that all dirt roads and trails
designated open for public off-highway wheeled motor vehicles will be closed from November 1 to May
1 each year to reduce damage to dirt roads and trails.
To be honest, the need for a seasonal closure was unanticipated, but we support and must abide by the
standards and guidelines in our Forest Plan. We truly apologize that this was not discussed at our public
meetings prior to the release of the Notice of Intent. However, please keep in mind that the Proposed
Action is a “proposed action.” This is not something that is immediately implemented and enforced on
the ground. The Forest Supervisor is looking for and open to other alternatives and solutions to the
proposed action, and there are several public involvement opportunities over the next several months to
propose such alternatives and solutions for the Forest Supervisor to consider. There will be no seasonal
closure of any kind until the Forest completes an environmental impact statement and the Forest
Supervisor signs a Record of Decision, which is planned to occur by December 2006.
We value and encourage public involvement in the route designation process, and have designed an open,
honest, and transparent public involvement plan that reflects this. We will continue to follow the schedule
as designed to ensure that the public has all of the necessary information to effectively participate in the
process, as well as ample opportunity to participate before a final decision is made by the Forest
Supervisor. For more information on such opportunities and a schedule of future public meetings, check
the project website at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/index.shtml.