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The number of off-highway vehicle (OHV) users
in the U.S. has climbed tenfold in the past 32 years, from approximately 5
million in 1972 to 51 million in 2004. The Forest Service now manages more than
300,000 miles of road and 35,000 miles of trail for motor vehicle use. More than
11 million people using OHVs visited national forest and grasslands in 2004.
While most people ride responsibly, a few riders leave lasting impacts by
traveling off roads and trails and creating unauthorized routes. Unmanaged OHV
use affects wetlands and wildlife habitat, erodes soils, damages cultural
resources and spreads invasive species.
State and county governments manage public
roads, provide access to National Forest System (NFS) lands and represent
private landowners within and adjacent to NFS lands. OHV riders and
non-motorized recreation visitors share an interest in enjoying outdoor
recreation in a natural environment. We are working collaboratively with
federal, state, county, and tribal agencies, motorized and non-motorized
recreation user groups, conservationists and others to provide access to NFS
lands on routes and in areas that are environmentally and socially sustainable.
Many roads and trails are maintained and improved through cooperative
relationships.
Motorized recreation is an appropriate use of
national forests and grasslands. A managed system of roads, trails, and areas
designated for motor vehicle use will better protect natural and cultural
resources, address use conflicts, and secure sustainable opportunities for
public enjoyment of national forests and grasslands.
Commonly Asked Q&A's:
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Q:
What is being studied? |
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A: 1.
Current system of National Forest System roads and trails |
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2. User-created routes to dispersed
camping or picnic sites |
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Q: Is the Forest going to be closing all of our roads and
trails? |
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A: No. Because the
Lincoln National Forest has had a designated routes plan in place and
working for nearly 20 years, we do not expect to see much change from
what you have now. This is merely an opportunity for us to
improve what we already have. Closing roads is an option but so
is opening a currently closed road as a motorized trail. It's up
to you to help us determine where and what needs to be done to our
current system. Please refer to the
public participation page on how to help. You can also refer
to the MAPS page to see what the current
system looks like in your favorite area(s). |
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Q: Are you taking away our dispersed camping & picnicking sites? |
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A: Not at all. This study
addresses only driving to a camp or picnic site.
You can always 'tent camp' and/or hike anywhere on Forest lands. The
current policy on the Lincoln is that you can drive up to 300' from an open,
authorized road or trail (ATV or motorcycle access only on trails) on USFS lands to camp or picnic. This will be decreased to
100' in this next phase and the same rule applies within that distance
(most of our current use falls within 100' of the open roads).
For areas that fall outside of the 100' area, the Forest will have to
know where they are in order to study under the NEPA process.
Most of these sites have been used for years and will continue to
be used, the Forest simply has to do the proper analysis to make it
available. Please help us in telling us where your favorite
sites are by going to the public participation
page and email us or fill out and mail in the comment forms.
...more |
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Q: What if we miss something this year? |
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A: After the creation of the
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) we will start a yearly process of
"tweaking" the system by making necessary changes or by including
something we may have missed in this first effort. The MVUM will
be re-issued each year whether we have changes or not. |
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Q: Why are you doing this study? |
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A: Implementation of this National rule is a step towards addressing the
threat to the National Forest presented by unmanaged recreation.
Although the Lincoln National Forest has had just a process in place
for over 20 years, other Forests have not. Other
Forests, for example have policies that you can drive anywhere
regardless of a road being present.
This Travel Management Rule will
create a uniform, national framework across the nation on every
forest. |
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Q: What is the proposed action for? |
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A: The proposed action is to
present changes to the Lincoln National Forest system of roads and trails that
are designated for motorized vehicle use. The proposed action will
also present the class of vehicle for each route and time of year, if
appropriate, for motorized use. The Lincoln will begin to
develop a proposed action after the initial public workshops held in
May. This way we can better incorporate your comments and
wishes. ...more |
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Q: What is the existing system for motorized travel on the Lincoln
National Forest? |
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A: Motor vehicle travel
is
allowed only on designated routes since implementation of the Lincoln
National Forest Plan Amendment #1 in May 1987. Changes have
occurred since 1987. The current system of designated routes open
for use is displayed on the Lincoln National Forest (LNF) Visitor maps, supplemented by a separate list of trails
that are open for motorized use. The policy allows motorized
vehicle travel for a distance of up to 300 feet to access dispersed
camping sites, if this can be done without resource damage. There
currently are
no 'areas' designated for motorized use on the Forest. An 'area'
is different than a trail or road in that ATV, motorcycle, etc use can
occur anywhere on the land regardless of a route being present.
An example of this type of 'area' use can be seen the area just south
of La Luz on north Florida if you're familiar with the Alamogordo
area.
There are
more than 2,845 miles of roads within the boundaries of the Lincoln
National Forest under various jurisdictions including National Forest
System (NFS), State, County, Federal and private. Out of all these
roads about 2,226 miles are under NFS jurisdiction with about 623
miles under the other types of jurisdiction. NFS roads are further
broken down into “Operational Maintenance Levels” (OML or Route
Levels) described below. All of the “open” roads are fully accessible
to the public. Our “closed” roads may be in “storage” for later use,
or may be decommissioned and are not planned for future use.
The Lincoln also has an extensive system of
trails within the Forest, both motorized and non-motorized. There are
about 400
miles of official trails with approximately
150 miles
being managed for motorcycle and/or ATV use. Trails are further split
into the classifications of “Designed Use”. On NFS motorized trails,
use is limited to vehicles that are less than 50 inches wide. Some of
the motorized trails are not wide enough for All-Terrain Vehicles
(ATVs, or 4-wheelers), and can accommodate only motorcycles.
National Forest System routes are
those that are under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service.
Please refer to the table below for a breakdown of miles of National Forest
Service routes managed by the LNF:
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Lincoln National
Forest System Roads & Trails |
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Guadalupe District |
Sacramento District |
Smokey Bear District |
| Level 5 Road
(high speed - highway) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Level 4 Road
(paved) |
2 |
7 |
4 |
| Level 3 Road
(passenger car) |
70 |
108 |
53 |
| Level 2 Road
(high clearance - 4wd) |
291 |
297 |
331 |
| Level 1 Road
(closed) |
333 |
621 |
109 |
| Trails: Motorized |
2 |
152 |
0 |
| Trails:
Non-Motorized |
45 |
41 |
177 |
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Q: Will this effort assist law enforcement? |
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A: The travel management rule
will not increase the agency's budget or the number of law enforcement
officers. However, the final rule will enhance enforcement by
substituting a regulatory prohibition for closure orders and providing
for a motor vehicle use map supplemented by signage. The education and
cooperative relationships built during the planning process may
support enforcement efforts by promoting voluntary compliance.
Confusion or misunderstanding about motorized vehicle travel on
National Forest System lands will be reduced by having a nationally
consistent travel policy. |
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Q: How can I participate? |
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A: Please
call
our
project team leader Constance Zipperer at 505-434-7200 or visit us at
our public participation page for more on
participating. |
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