Santa Fe National Forest Releases Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement
BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT
Santa Fe National Forest Releases Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Dear BRC Members and supporters in New Mexico,
We wanted to pass along an alert sent by the folks over at the New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA). The Santa Fe National Forest has just released their Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Travel Management, and it doesn’t look good.
There is more information in the alert, which is pasted below and also available on NMOHVA’s Current Issues webpage. Keep up-to-date on this and other OHV issues by subscribing to NMOHVA’s email Action Alert list.
As always, call or email if you have any questions or comments.
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
ACCESS ALERT!
Forest Service Proposes to Close Over Half of Santa Fe National Forest Roads
The Santa Fe National Forest finally released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Travel Management to the public today. The Forest Service is proposing to close over 2900 miles (53%) of the existing roads on the Forest. Even the most ‘vehicle-friendly’ alternative considered closes nearly half of the roads currently available.
This will affect all motorized vehicles: cars, trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, and ATVs. It will also have a profound impact on all members of the public who use the Forest including hunters. According to the proposal, there are currently 5458 miles of roads and trails that people are using. The Forest Service’s drastic proposal reduces this to around 2500 miles.
The public has 45 days to comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails. The Forest Service’s proposal and alternatives are in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Travel Management on the Santa Fe National Forest. The full text of the draft document is on the Santa Fe National Forest Travel Management website. The end date for 45-day comment period has not yet been established as the deadline is based on the date the official notice is published in the Federal Register. Only those people or organizations who provide comments during this 45-day comment period will be eligible to appeal the final decision when it is released later this year.
The purpose of the proposal is implementing Travel Management by designating a motorized road and trail system on the Santa Fe National Forest. Designation will include class of vehicle and time of year for allowable motor vehicle use. The decision will result in the publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that shows when and what roads are open. After the MVUM has been released, ALL other motorized travel will be prohibited.
Eight public meetings will be held August 8-18 in the various communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest. This will be an opportunity to meet with the Forest Service and ask questions about the project and the proposed closures. The format for each of these meetings will include an open house, a presentation, a question and answer session, and a listening session.
You will find a link the detailed time and location of each meeting to the left.
Comments can be submitted by postal mail, email, fax. hand delivery or orally. Specific instructions and contact information are available here.
If you have questions about the DEIS or making comments, please contact the Travel Management Project Leader, Julie Bain, at (505) 505-438-5443 or sftravelmgt@fs.fed.us.
Remember: Only those people or organizations who provide comments during this 45-day comment period will be eligible to appeal the final decision!
Read the Forest Service Documents Here:
The draft Environment Impact Statement and ALL the Maps
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt/deis/index.html
All the draft Specialist’s Reports
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt/specialist_reports.htm
The Public Meeting Schedule
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt/public_involvment.htm
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New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance | 13170-B Central Ave. SE
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Category: Action Alerts, Southwest - Access Issues
