Klamath Forest evaluates off-highway vehicle routes

[HummBebe]

Klamath Forest evaluates off-highway vehicle routes
February 15 ? Siskiyou Daily News




YREKA ? The Klamath National Forest recently issued a press release that invites ?all citizens who have an interest in off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes within the Forest? to attend one of the upcoming public workshops.

The workshops are being held to share the OHV inventory route information received from the public in 2005; the route designation process and timeline being used by the Forest; and the implications of the new National Travel Management Rule on the Forest process.

The KNF is asking the public for help in evaluating the recreational value of inventoried travel routes, trails, or areas. This process only deals with motorized vehicle use, and does not include snowmobiles, the release stated.

The workshops will be held from 5 ? 7 p.m. on the following dates:

? Thursday, Feb. 15, in Greenview at the Grange Hall;

? Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Yreka at the Community Center; and

? Thursday, Feb. 22, in Macdoel at the Goosenest Ranger District Office.

Over the next three years, under agreement with the State of California Off-Highway Commission, all National Forests in California will first identify, and then formally designate a sustainable system of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use.





The goal is to secure a wide range of recreation opportunities while ensuring the best possible care of the land.

Once the route and area designation process is complete, only those roads, trails, and use areas designated through this process will be open to wheeled motorized vehicles.

This will be a change from the existing management of motorized use on the Klamath National Forest.

?This is a very important step in the Travel Management Route and Area Designation process,? Peg Boland, Klamath National Forest Supervisor, stated in the press release. ?This is a chance for those already involved in this process to see if we captured their information correctly, and for us to update anyone interested in this process regarding the next steps.?

The workshops will be held open house style, and are informal. No formal presentations are scheduled. People are welcome to come in at any time during the workshop, view the wall displays and maps, pick up handouts, review the available information, and/or discuss their favorite inventoried travel route, trail, or area. Forest employees will be present to meet with you one-on-one and answer any questions you may have.

Over the next three years, under agreement with the State of California Off-Highway Commission, all National Forests in California will first identify, and then formally designate a sustainable system of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use. The goal is to secure a wide range of recreation opportunities while ensuring the best possible care of the land.

Once the route and area designation process is complete, only those roads, trails, and use areas designated through this process will be open to wheeled motorized vehicles. This will be a change from the existing management of motorized use on the Klamath National Forest.

The travel management route and area designation effort is a national response to the dramatic increase in OHV use across the nation. This use has resulted in erosion and other problems in some locations. ?OHVs are a great way to experience the national forests, but because their popularity has increased in recent years, we need an approach that will sustain natural resource values through more effective management of motor vehicle use,? said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. ?The benefits of improving OHV use include enhanced protection of habitat and aquatic, soil, air, and cultural resources. The Forest Service wants to improve its management by balancing the public?s enjoyment of using OHVs with ensuring the best possible care of the land.?

For more information, please contact Connie Hendryx, Acting Public Affairs Officer, at (530) 841-4485, or Bob Talley, Route Designation Coordinator, at (530) 841-4423.

[DRTYFN]

Ruh rohhhh... I better look into this one.