Magdalena Ranger District Proposing Changes to Motorized Travel System
BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT
Cibola National Forest’s Magdalena Ranger District Proposing Changes to Motorized Travel System
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 Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest is proposing changes to its motorized travel system.
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 500 Miles of Roads in Magdalena Ranger District
The Magdalena Ranger District revealed its Travel Management proposal today which would ban the use of all motor vehicles on around 500 miles of the existing roads in the District. This will affect all vehicles includes motorcycles, ATVs, and 4WDs. It also affects all members of the public, including hunters. Per the proposal put forward, the nearly 1400 miles of roads currently available to the public would be reduced to just over 900 miles.
The proposal also dramatically reduces the areas allowed for ‘car camping’. The proposal would limit ‘dispersed vehicle camping’ to 300 feet either side of only 390 miles of roads, using a motor vehicle for camping alongside roads.
The release of the Proposed Action begins the process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process begins with Scoping, which is a step to determine the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts of the project to consider. The public has 30 days to provide scoping comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails. These proposals are in the Magdalena Ranger District, Travel Management Proposed Action. The 30 day comment period will end on August 24th.
The purpose of this proposal is to designate a motorized road and trail system on the Mountainair District. Designation will include class of vehicle and time of year for motor vehicle use. The decision will result in the publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). After the MVUM has been released, ALL other motorized travel off the designated system will be prohibited. The full text of the document is on the Mountainair Ranger District Travel Management website.
Four Open House public meetings will be held on August 3rd-7th. This will be an opportunity to meet with the Forest Service and ask questions about the project and their proposal.
Comments can be submitted by postal mail, email, and fax. Specific instructions and contact information are available here.
Additional information regarding this proposal can be obtained from:
Cliff Nicoll, ID Team Leader, Cibola National Forest, 2113 Osuna Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. Phone: 505-346-3900.
SCOPING IS THE BEST TIME TO HELP SHAPE THE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE MAGDALENA RANGER DISTRICT IS PREPARED.
MAKE YOUR COMMENTS TODAY!
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Read the Forest Service Documents Here
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New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance | 13170-B Central Ave. SE | PMB #322 | Albuquerque | NM | 87123
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Category: Access Issues, Action Alerts, Southwest - Access Issues
