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Release No. FS-0418 |
Contact: |
Joe Walsh, (202) 205-1294 |
FOREST SERVICE RELEASES DRAFT POLICY
ON OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE IN NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2004
– U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today released
its proposal for managing motorized off-highway vehicle (OHV) use
in national forests and grasslands, which will enhance recreational
opportunities for the public and better protect the environment
by requiring units to establish a designated system of roads, trails
and areas.
“OHVs are a great way to experience the
national forests, but because their popularity has increased in
recent years, we need an approach that will sustain natural resource
values through more effective management of motor vehicle use. The
benefits of improving OHV use include enhanced protection of habitat
and aquatic, soil, air and cultural resources,” said Forest
Service Chief Dale Bosworth. “The Forest Service wants to
improve its management by balancing the public’s enjoyment
of using OHVs with ensuring the best possible care of the land.”
In 2002, national forests and grasslands had more than 214 million
visits. Nationally, the number of OHV users climbed sevenfold in
the last 30 years--from five million in 1972 to 36 million in 2000.
OHV users account for about 1.8 million or five percent of visitors
to national forests and grasslands. Currently each of the 155 national
forests and 21 grasslands has guidelines regarding OHV use, with
some national forests managing use on a designated system of roads,
trails and areas, while other do not. As a result, the Forest Service
does not have a clear, consistent policy regarding motor vehicle
use on national forests and grasslands.
The proposed rule represents a nationally consistent
approach to travel management by requiring each forest and grassland
to designate a system of roads, trails and areas slated for motor
vehicle use. It would allow national forests to denote use of routes
and areas by vehicle type and, if appropriate, by time of year.
Once the designation process is complete, OHV use would be confined
to designated routes and areas, and OHV use off these routes (cross-country
travel) would be prohibited. Snowmobile use would continue to be
managed as it is currently—allowed, restricted or prohibited
on roads and trails and in areas on National Forest System lands.
“While some forests have begun to designate roads, trails,
and areas for OHVs, I expect units to make significant progress
in improving management of OHVs in the next two years,” said
Bosworth. “We want to improve our management of outdoor recreation
by having a system of routes and areas offering the best opportunities
for OHV use while still meeting our responsibility to sustain National
Forest System lands and resources.”
The proposed rule calls for the Forest Service
to continue to engage with motorized sports enthusiasts, conservationists,
state agencies, local governments, tribal governments,
and others to identify routes offering the best opportunities for
OHV use while still meeting its responsibility to protect the environment.
The public would continue to be allowed to participate in the process
of designating roads, trails, and areas or revising designations
and would continue to receive advance notice to allow for public
comment on proposed or revised designations. The agency has partnered
with these groups in the past to provide enhanced motorized recreation
opportunities by constructing, marking, maintaining and restoring
trails as well as by providing training and safety instruction to
users.
OHVs include motor vehicles that are designed or retrofitted primarily
for recreational use off road, such as minibikes, amphibious vehicles,
snowmobiles, motorcycles, go-carts, motorized trail bikes, and dune
buggies.
The agency is accepting comments for 60 days
after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The rule
text submitted to the Office of the Federal Register is available
on http://www.fs.fed.us/.
Written comments may be sent to:
Proposed Rule for Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle
Use
c/o Content Analysis Team
P.O. Box 221150
Salt Lake City, Utah 84122-1150
Comments also will be accepted by electronic mail to trvman@fs.fed.us
or by facsimile to 801-517-1014. Comments also may be submitted
by following the instructions at the federal eRulemaking portal
at http://www.regulations.gov.
All comments will be analyzed and addressed in promulgation of a
final rule.
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Supporting Documents:
Media Kit
More Information
on OHV
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