Thinking of the National Strategic Team
By Gregg Mumm
June 2004
I just thought I would share with you some of what the national Strategic Team is looking at as criteria for the policy changes they are discussing. It’s a fairly interesting read that sheds some light on where they are going with this whole "Bosworth’s Buzzword’s" thought process.
Taken from an Official Forest Service Briefing Paper dated in April of this year (verbatim):
Topic: Proposed rule for designated routes and areas for motor vehicle use.
Issue: The Forest Service proposes to amend the regulations at parts 212, 251, 261 and 295 with respect to travel management on National Forest System lands to address management issues related to motor vehicle use, including the use of off-highway vehicles. The rule would provide for motorized recreation opportunities on National Forests through a system of designated roads, trails and areas. Draft rule has been provided to Directives Staff; NFS is working to have included in top priorities for Directives. The Forest Service is targeting publication of proposed rule as soon as possible (possibly within one-month).
Background: Off-road motor vehicle use for public enjoyment of the National Forest System has increased dramatically. The Forest Service works with a number of grass roots, national and non-profit organizations to provide user education, safety training, restoration projects and management of off-highway vehicle use.
The current regulations guiding the management of off-highway vehicles and the provision to allow, restrict or prohibit, has led to development of a number of approaches to management – some forests have travel plans that restrict motor vehicle use to designated routes or areas, other National Forests do not restrict motor vehicle use. The result is a patchwork of travel management restrictions, with some National Forests still allowing cross-country motor vehicle use and others restricting or prohibiting it. On many National Forests the impacts from off highway vehicles has evolved into situations where whole landscapes are denuded, rutted or scarred from motor vehicle use.
Key Points:
The proposed rule change will:
Integrate motor vehicle use with regulations for the Forest transportation system;
Provide a consistent national framework for designation of NFS motor vehicle use system;
Require forests to designate roads, trails and areas available for motor vehicle use in a use map;
Eliminate the need to issue and/or post orders;
Include provisions for management of snowmobiles;
Maintain public involvement and decision making at the appropriate level of the organization;
Provide for future integration of non-motorized travel into the use system;
Provide an increase in efficient, effective, and defensible law enforcement; and
Expand the off-road management focus of the Executive Order to management of a designated travel /transportation system;
When final, will be accompanied by draft FSM/FSH direction.
Contacts, meetings & briefings:
Numerous briefings to advise external interests on the efforts underway and enlist their assistance have taken place. Examples include:
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Sheep Symposium, Mule Deer Foundation, IAFWA, American Wildlife Conservation Partners, NASF, NACo, American Council of Snowmobile Associations, United Four Wheel Drive Association
National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, Blue Ribbon Coalition
Western Trail Builders, American Motorcyclist Association, and Motorcycle Industry Council
Partners Outdoors, Natural Trails and Water Coalition, Wilderness Society, American Hiking Society, American Recreation Coalition
National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee, several State Parks and Recreation Directors, National Wild Turkey Federation, Tread Lightly!, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution
Bureau of Land Management national office staff & BLM Trails and Travel Management Team
House Resources and Agriculture staff & Senate Energy and Natural Resources staff
Feedback on key issues/concerns:
The treatment of user created or unplanned routes that developed as a result of cross-country use
Level of inventory necessary to support designation work
Level of NEPA necessary to support designation work
Need for resources and law enforcement to support management of motor vehicle use
Transition from areas generally open to cross-country travel to system of designated roads, trails and areas
Treatment of snowmobiles (proposal exempts from required designation; proposal retains authority currently in 295 to allow, restrict, or prohibit snowmobile use)
Tenuous support for broad concept – much interest in details about implementation of designation process
Next steps:
Launching NEPA guidance for proposed rule – considering joint effort with NACo, NASF and others.
Launching FSM/FSH direction.