Malheur National Forest Proposing to Implement 2005 Travel Management Rule

The Malheur National Forest, located in eastern Oregon, is proposing to implement the 2005 Travel Management Rule by preparing an environmental assessment to restrict motorized cross-country travel on the Malheur National Forest and the portion of the Ochoco National Forest managed by the Malheur National Forest. The Forest Service (FS) is seeking public comments on this project.

This proposal encompasses 1,709,029 acres and includes the entire Malheur National Forest and those lands of the Ochoco National Forest administered by the Malheur National Forest. Maps of the proposal can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/malheur/recreation/travelmanagement/index.shtml.

The Proposed Action would:

    * Prohibit motorized travel outside of those existing designated routes (roads and trails) and areas - where it is not already restricted or prohibited by law, regulation, policy, order, Forest Plan direction, or site-specific decision. Motorized cross county (off-road) travel would be prohibited across 1,337,770 acres on the Malheur National Forest where it is not already prohibited.
      
    * Allow motorized cross-country travel within 300 feet (lateral slope distance) of the centerline of a designated open route for the purpose of dispersed camping when resource damage caused by motor vehicle use can be avoided. In some areas, motorized access for dispersed camping would be subject to "special provisions." Proposed "special provision" areas would allow motorized access only for the purpose of accessing designated, defined or existing dispersed campsites.
      
    * Amend the Malheur and Ochoco Forest Plans to restrict motorized travel to designated routes and areas on the Malheur NF and those lands of the Ochoco National Forest administered by the Malheur National Forest.

The FS will be hosting two Open Houses in order to help the public to better understand the Travel Management Rule on the Malheur National Forest and how it might affect you.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010             6:00 - 8:00 pm
Harney County Community Center
484 North Broadway
Burns, Oregon

Thursday, November 4, 2010                  6:00 - 8:00 pm
Federal Building - Forest Service Office
431 Patterson Bridge Road
John Day, Oregon

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR COMMENTS BY DECEMBER 3, 2010

Written comments should be submitted to Doug Gochnour, Forest Supervisor, Malheur National Forest, PO Box 909, John Day, OR 97845. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Comments can be faxed to 541-575-3002. Electronic comments should be submitted as part of the actual e-mail message or as an attachment in Microsoft Word, rich text format, or portable document format only and sent to comments-pacificnorthwest-malheur@fs.fed.us.

The proposed action is also available on the Malheur National Forest web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/malheur/recreation/travel-management/index.shtml.  If you have a need for further information about this project please contact Rick Vetter, phone (541) 573-4369.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107