Motorized Route Designation Process Continues - Temporary Forest Order Issued in the Tahoe National Forest
The Forest Service has been working since 2003 to complete the Motorized Route Designation process that will determine which of the "unauthorized routes" will become part of the National Forest System roads or trails. As part of that process, a temporary Forest Order has been signed by Forest Supervisor Steve Eubanks that prohibits cross-country motorized vehicle travel.
"This order requires all motorized vehicles to stay on existing roads, motorized trails, routes or areas," stated Eubanks. "For a one-year period or until we finish the Environmental Impact Statement, it is designed to stop the creation of new routes and to protect the resources of the National Forest."
Copies of the Temporary Forest Order which include maps showing the roads, trails, and areas that can be used by motorized vehicles are available at the Forest Headquarters and Ranger Stations throughout the TNF including offices in Nevada City, Camptonville, Sierraville, Truckee, and Foresthill. The Temporary Forest Order is also available on line at www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe in the "Route Designation area".
The Forest Service is continuing to work on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which will display a range of alternatives identifying which of the unauthorized routes would be added to the National Forest System of roads and trails. This DEIS is expected to be available for public review and comment after the first of the year.
Additional information about this process is available on the Forest Service website or by calling David Michael, TNF Trails Coordinator (530) 478-6185 or Dave Arrasmith, Project Team Leader (530) 478-6220. To be placed on the email list to receive regular updates, contact Ann Westling, awestling@fs.fed.us or (530) 478-6205.
|
