Six Rivers National Forest

Home » Projects & Plans » Travel Management / Off-Highway Vehicle Route Designation

Travel Management / Off-Highway Vehicle Route Designation

[Map]: Depicts the location of the Six Rivers National Forest and sub-divisions.National forests in California, including the Six Rivers, will complete an inventory of all the roads, trails, and areas used by off-highway vehicles, identify a system of routes from that inventory, and designate those routes/areas for off-highway vehicle use. A Memorandum of Intent between the Forest Service (Region 5), the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission and the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California State Parks and Recreation established a strategy to guide the designation process and sets a schedule for completion.

Background

The rapid expansion of OHV use in national forests and grasslands is impacting the natural and cultural resources of federal lands. The Chief of the Forest Service identified unmanaged recreation - especially impacts from OHVs - as one of the key threats facing the nation's forests today. Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in unplanned roads and trails, erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacts on cultural resource sites.

Improved management of wheeled motor vehicle use in National Forest System lands will allow the Forest Service to enhance opportunities for public enjoyment of the National Forest System, including motorized and non-motorized recreation experiences. The Forest Service has revised its national policy governing the use of wheeled motor vehicles to develop a system of roads, trails and areas designated for motor vehicle use to minimize or eliminate the undesirable impacts from unmanaged OHV use.

We are working with the OHV, environmental, and other non-motorized communities to identify existing OHV routes and to develop the forest-level OHV designations.

-top-

Process for California

The following is a summary of the five steps that are designed to implement the Forest Service - State of California Memorandum of Intent, (Appendix B of the Route Designation Guidebook) and designate OHV trails and areas for OHV use in all National Forest System lands in California.

  1. Map existing unclassified roads, OHV trails (both National Forest System and non-system), and off-route use areas, and enter the data in Geographic Information Systems and Infrastructure databases. Designate team leaders, compile Forest OHV Management Direction, assemble needed information, identify gaps in data, prioritize, develop action plans, and begin field surveys. Share maps with the public and collect comments.
  2. Issue temporary Forest Orders prohibiting wheeled vehicle use (including mountain bikes) off mapped roads, trails, and off-route use areas. Involve the public.
  3. Evaluate inventoried roads, trails, and areas; collaborate with the public in developing proposed systems of roads, trails, and specifically defined areas for use by wheeled OHVs; complete surveys of information and data gaps. Involve the public. Publish maps of proposals. Collect public comments.
  4. Complete analyses and prepare National Environmental Policy Act documents designating all trails and specifically defined areas for wheeled OHV use. Involve the public.
  5. Issue Forest Orders to prohibit motor vehicle use off roads, designated trails, and specifically defined areas. Involve the public. Install appropriate signing, publish maps of approved OHV systems for public distribution, and implement any mitigation measures.

-top-

ROUTE DESIGNATION GUIDEBOOK

The Region 5 OHV Route Designation Guidebook presents a five-step process for designating off-highway vehicle routes on the 19 National Forests in California, including the California portions of the Humboldt-Toiyabe; based upon existing laws, regulations, and policies. A detailed description of all five steps and a timeline that shows the interrelationships among the steps make up the main portion of the Guidebook.

Download the Route Designation Guidebook on the Region 5 web site »

-top-

IMPLEMENTATION GOALS

Our goal is to have an OHV route system that is both manageable and sustainable.

A 'manageable' OHV trail system would be designed and located on the landscape such that routine maintenance - barring the impacts of unforeseen events such as wildfires or floods - would allow the trail system to be maintained annually in an acceptable condition. A 'sustainable' OHV trail system would be an environmentally sound trail system that could be maintained in an acceptable condition throughout many consecutive years.

-top-

HISTORY

A historical account of the route designation process occuring in the Smith River National Recreation Area, Orleans, Lower Trinity, and Mad River Ranger Districts, Six River National Forest include:

  • In 2005, public meetings were held May 16, May 19, June 7, and June 9, in four locations to introduce the public to the route designation process on the Forest (excluding the National Recreation Area). This first round of meetings informed attendees about why we are beginning the four year OHV route designation process, the five step process, timelines, and how the public can become involved. These meetings were attended by stakeholders with a variety of interests regarding OHV routes and motorized recreation. Loggers, tribes, hunters, mountain bikers, senior citizens, local residents, OHV users and organizations, recreational and environmental groups, and general recreation users engaged in lively discussion throughout each of the four meetings.

Smith River National Recreation Area

  • A contractor completed the route inventory for the Smith River National Recreation Area/Gasquet Ranger District in 2004.
  • The National Recreation Area combined the inventoried routes into its Roads Analysis Process and is completing its environmental documentation.

Orleans Ranger District

  • 2005 – Route inventory completed by in-house contractors.
  • Since the first round of public meetings held in 2005, the Forest Supervisor integrated the Regional Off-Highway Vehicle Route Designation Process with the Orleans Roads Analysis Process. This was done for efficiency and to provide a complete transportation assessment on the Orleans Ranger District, particularly given that few new routes were mapped as part of the OHV inventory.

Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger Districts

  • A team was designated by the Forest Supervisor to begin the route designation process for Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger Districts.
  • In-house contractors completed the inventory of the Districts in late summer 2006; data was then verified and GIS maps were constructed with the data.
  • The OHV team started the field verification and evaluations for both Districts during the summer 2006.
  • In 2007, three public meetings were held to review the route designation process and share the Draft OHV route inventory maps (Step 1).
  • The inventory maps included routes identified through a number of different sources. The public helped validate the accuracy and completeness (presence/absence of routes) of the maps identifying the inventoried unauthorized/unclassified motorized routes. This review determined the extent of motorized use within the two Districts and served as the basis for continuing the route designation process.
  • A copy of the maps was placed on the web site on October 18, 2007. Input on routes was due by December 31, 2007. Public requests to extend this timeframe were received and a decision was made to extend the map validation process until June 30, 2008. In addition, a decision was made to proceed with Step 3 within this same timeframe. Step 3 involves gathering additional information to help in developing site-specific proposals for changes to a motorized transportation system.
  • In April 2008, three public workshops were held to share information, review and determine if traveled routes have been identified, and to gather additional information about opportunities and benefits as well as hear concerns with individual routes. This input serves as the basis for development of a proposed action to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act. Also at these meetings, we shared information on management areas where unauthorized routes could not be considered for inclusion into the Forests transportation system according to the Six Rivers National Forest Land and Resource Plan. These include Wilderness, Research Natural Areas and areas classified as Semi-primitive Non-motorized. Updated Inventory Maps, with Forest Plan land allocations, were posted on the web site prior to these workshops.
  • Two additional workshops were held in May and June in Eureka to help finalize the initial steps of the process.

-top-

INVENTORY MAPS

The purpose of the inventory maps is to provide the public the initial inventory of unathorized routes located within the Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger Districts. It does not include the routes the public identifed as missed during map validation. However, all routes identifed by the public were considered.

-top-

CURRENT STATUS - December 2008

The Six Rivers National Forest is completing the designation process for the Smith River National Recreation Area and Orleans Ranger District. It is working on Step 4 of the OHV Route Designation process for the Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger Districts.

Smith River National Recreation Area

  • The Smith River National Recreation Area Road Management Route Designation Project Environmental Analysis was completed and decision signed on September 27, 2007. However, the decision was reversed and a new decision is pending further analysis.

Orleans Ranger District

  • The Orleans Transportation and Road Restoration Project Environmental Analysis was completed and decision signed on March 28, 2007. A Motorized Visitor Use Map is now available.

Lower Trinity and Mad River Ranger Districts

  • Steps 1 and 3 of the OHV Route Designation process are completed. These steps included sharing information, determining whether traveled routes were identified, and gathering information about opportunities as well as concerns.
  • The Six Rivers National Forest is seeking public comments on the Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Proposed Action. The proposed action is described in the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008. Publication of the Notice of Intent begins a 45-day comment period.
  • The public can learn more about the Proposed Action at one of the January workshops and on this website. Workshops will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:
    1. January 6, 2008, Camp Kimtu Cookhouse, Kimtu Road, Willow Creek, CA
    2. January 8, 2008, Mad River Ranger Station, 741 Highway 36, Mad River, CA
    3. January 12, 2008, Six Rivers National Forest Headquarters, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA

-top-

LOWER TRINITY & MAD RIVER TRAVEL MANGEMENT PROJECT

Project Guidelines

The Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Team integrated the purpose and need to the project area with the development of guidelines to guide project development. View (pdf 18kb) »

Notice of Intent

The Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement was published on December 19, 2008. View (pdf 80kb) »

Scoping Letter

Scoping Letter mailed to those who have expressed interest in the project and summarizes the proposed action and how the public can provide comment. View (pdf 45kb) »

Proposed Action

"The Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Proposed Action" is summarized here. See the Notice of Intent (pdf 80kb), the Proposed Action Tables (pdf 150kb), and the Proposed Action Maps for more details.

  1. The prohibition of cross-country motor vehicle travel (with the exception of snowmobiles) off designated National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) roads, trails, and areas by the public except as allowed by permit or other authorization.
  2. Make a non-significant amendment to the Six Rivers Forest Plan to conform to the Travel Management Rule, Subpart B. The text of Recreation Standard and Guideline for Motorized Recreation 18-21, Six Rivers Forest Plan, p. IV-124, which currently reads "OHV use is restricted to designated route" shall be replaced in its entirety with the following text "Prohibit motor vehicle travel (with the exception of snowmobiles) off designated roads and trails except as allowed by permit or other authorization."
  3. Additions to the NFTS. The Six Rivers National Forest proposes to add approximately 19 miles (62 segments) of existing unauthorized routes to its NFTS as motorized trails on the Lower Trinity Ranger District; and to add approximately 39 miles (144 segments) of existing unauthorized routes to its NFTS motorized trails on the Mad River Ranger District open to the public for motor vehicle use by vehicle class and season of use. Note that motorized trails are proposed for either high clearance wheeled vehicles or for wheeled vehicles 50 inches or less. No motorcycle only trails are proposed.
    The existing unauthorized routes proposed as additions to the Six Rivers NFTS as motorized trails occur across both Districts within many land allocations and resource emphasis areas; this includes proposed motorized trails within Late Successional Reserves, Inventoried Roadless Areas, and Key Watersheds.
  4. Co-location of Motorized Trail on NFTS roads closed year-round. Approximately 7 miles (5 segments) of existing NFTS roads are proposed for dual management as both a Maintenance level 1 (closed) road and as a motorized trail open to vehicles 50' or less in width. Approximately 7 miles (4 segments) would be located on Lower Trinity Ranger District to expand motorized recreation opportunity by linking proposed motorized trails in the Waterman Ridge and Hennessy Ridge networks. Approximately 0.2 mile (1 segment) would be located on the Mad River Ranger District to provide access to a dispersed campsite.
  5. Limited Changes to the NFTS Roads. The Six Rivers National Forest proposes the following changes to NFTS roads to expand motorized trail opportunities, including increasing potential loops by using existing NFTS roads as links or connections within proposed networks of motorized trails:
    • Allow both highway licensed vehicle and non-highway licensed vehicle use on approximately 8 miles (5 segments) of existing NFTS roads currently open to highway legal vehicles only on the Lower Trinity Ranger District.
    • Allow both highway licensed vehicle and non-highway licensed vehicle use on approximately 17½ miles (12 segments) of existing NFTS roads currently open to highway legal vehicles only on the Mad River Ranger District.
    • Of these changes, all but approximately 2½ miles (1 segment) on the Mad River Ranger District, are subject to California Vehicle Code regulations that include the requirement of a licensed operator operating the vehicle.
  6. Limited Changes to NFTS Trails. The Six Rivers National Forest proposes the following changes to NFTS trails:
    • Allow wheeled vehicles 50 inches or less in width on approximately 4 miles (1 segment) of existing NFTS trail currently open to motorcycles to augment the Pilot Creek motorized trail network on the Mad River Ranger District.
    • Convert approximately 6 miles (2 segments) of existing NFTS motorized trails to NFTS non-motorized trails on the Mad River Ranger District because of safety concerns on a segment of Devil's Backbone and due to lack of use and potential adverse resource effects on the Bradburn Trail.

Proposed Action Tables

The Six Rivers National Forest's Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Project Proposed Action includes the addition of selected existing unauthorized routes to the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS) motorized trail system, co-location of motorized trails on closed NFTS roads, and limited changes to NFTS roads and trails. Details for each route can be found in the five linked tables (pdf 150kb).

Proposed Action Maps

The purpose of the proposed action maps is to spacially identify "The Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Proposed Action" to be analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act within the Six Rivers National Forest.

-top-

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Six Rivers National Forest is seeking public comments on The Lower Trinity and Mad River Travel Management Proposed Action. The proposed action is described in the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and is expected to be published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008. Publication of the Notice of Intent begins a 45-day comment period on the proposed action.

Before commenting the public is urged to review the Notice of Intent, scoping letter and associated maps and tables. Copies will also be available for viewing at the U.S. Forest Service offices in Eureka, Mad River and Willow Creek and provided upon request.

The comments received from the public will be used to identify issues and develop alternatives to the proposed action that will be considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement, expected to be released in spring 2009, will be followed by another 45-day comment period.

Written comments may be sent to: Six Rivers National Forest, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA, 95501. Electronic comments may be submitted to: comments-pacificsouthwest-six-rivers@fs.fed.us. Please put "Travel Management" in the subject line.

The public can learn more about the Proposed Action at one of the upcomming workshops. Workshops will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

  • January 6, 2008, Camp Kimtu Cookhouse, Kimtu Road, Willow Creek, CA
  • January 8, 2008, Mad River Ranger Station, 741 Highway 36, Mad River, CA
  • January 12, 2008, Six Rivers NF Headquarters, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA

For more information, contact Leslie Burkhart, Team Leader, at (707) 441-3520.

-top-

[Printer] Printable Version
 
 
 
 
USDA logo which links to the department's national site. Forest Service logo which links to the agency's national site.