Siuslaw National Forest

Siuslaw National Forest
4077 S.W. Research Way
P.O. Box 1148
Corvallis, Oregon 97339

(541) 750-7000
Fax: (541) 750-7234

TTY for hearing & speech impaired:
(Oregon Relay)

Preliminary Analysis for Siuslaw National Forest Travel Management Project Available Now

Contacts:
Joni Quarnstrom 541.750.7075
Frank Davis 541.750.7077

March 6, 2009

The 2005 national Travel Management rule requires every national forest to decide which roads, trails and areas to designate for motorized use, according to Suislaw National Forest officials.

“During the past two years the Forest has undertaken an extensive public involvement effort in an attempt to gather comments and input to help shape this document”, said Barnie Gyant, Siuslaw Forest Supervisor. “We are confident that these efforts and the involvement from people interested in the future of motorized travel on the Forest have combined to create a successful analysis”, added Gyant.

The preliminary analysis identifies three alternatives – a no-action (required by law) and two action alternatives. The summary of the proposed actions is as follows:

Generally, key (major) Forest roads would be limited to highway legal motor vehicles only.

Generally, non-key (project) Forest roads would be open to both highway legal and off-highway vehicles.

Motorized cross-country travel would be closed except in certain areas located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake riding areas under both action alternatives. This closure would include Joshua Lane and Collard Lake, two small sand areas which encompass about 300 acres near Florence.

Motorized access to dispersed campsites would be slightly reduced under both action alternatives to protect natural resources.

Designated trails within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area will be reviewed later this year under a separate process.

“Motor vehicles are an appropriate way to access and enjoy national forest lands – in the right places and under proper management, and as a recreational use in their own right”, said Gyant. “However, if not carefully managed, mixed use of highway legal and non-highway legal vehicles could result in user conflicts or accidents”, he added.

A Motor Vehicle Use map will be developed by November 2009 identifying open roads and areas for motorized use on the Forest and available to the public for free.

More information about the Travel Management Project and copies of the preliminary analysis are available on the Siuslaw Forest web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/ or by contacting Frank Davis, Project Team Leader, at 541-750-7077. [Direct link to project files]

The 30-day review and comment period provides the public an opportunity to provide specific facts or comments with supporting reasons that you believe the Forest Supervisor should consider in reaching a decision on Travel Management.

Written comments should be sent to: Forest Supervisor, c/o Frank Davis, Siuslaw National Forest, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333. Written comments should include:

Your name, address and telephone number,

Title of proposed project on which you are commenting,

Specific facts or comments along with supporting reasons that you believe the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision.

Although written comments are preferred, oral comments are also accepted. To provide oral comments or to receive additional information, contact Frank Davis. Electronic comments may be mailed to: comments-pacificnorthwest-siuslaw@fs.fed.us.