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Of principal interest is specifically which, if any, of the user-created routes within the "E" areas to formally designate for public motorized travel and what site-specific information the Forest Service (FS) should consider in evaluating user-created routes proposed for formal designation. At the conclusion of this process, only formally designated routes will remain available for public motorized travel in these areas.
The first step in the planning process is to develop a detailed proposal for the new designated travel plan. They call this the "proposed action." The FS needs your input! The FS is working on developing that proposed action right now! It is extremely important that individuals and groups who are interested in motorized recreation in these areas participate in this process. All information received will be available for public review and comment later this fall.
The deadline to submit comments for this part of the planning process is August 30, 2008.
Keep in mind that the new Travel Rule applies to ALL motorized vehicles. Hunters who use ATVs or motorcycles to retrieve harvested big game have the potential to be most directly affected by this route designation process.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 2008, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Site-specific maps of the "E" areas on the Idaho City Ranger District will be available at the meetings and, subsequently, on the Boise National Forest website. District specialists will be available to provide information on current uses of the "E" areas.
Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Put "Idaho City Travel Route Designation Process" in the subject line. Acceptable formats are MS Word, Word Perfect, or RTF. Comments should include your name and address.
For more information, please contact the Idaho City Ranger District office at 208-392-6681. Please note that the Travel Route Designation Process is being undertaken concurrently on the Emmett Ranger District. For information on that planning effort, please contact John Erickson, District Ranger, Emmett Ranger District, 208-365-7000. The Boise National Forest's Travel Management website (http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/recreation/travel_management/travel_mgmt_index.shtml) contains additional information on this planning effort, including downloadable maps of the areas needing designation and a form that may be useful to you in providing your input.
JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!
The BLM-managed public lands offer more diverse recreational opportunities than any other Federal agency.
On more than 258 million acres of public lands, people enjoy countless types of outdoor adventure – participating in activities as widely varied as camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, boating, whitewater rafting, hang gliding, off-highway vehicle driving, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing, photography, climbing, all types of winter sports, and visiting natural and cultural heritage sites.
In an increasingly urbanized West, these recreational opportunities and the landscape settings where they take place are vital to the quality of life enjoyed by residents of western states, as well as national and international visitors.
Recreational use on BLM-managed lands also helps support the economies of western communities and states. More than 22 million people now live within 25 miles of public lands, and two-thirds of the lands managed by the BLM are within 50 miles of an urban area. Visits to recreation sites on BLM-managed public lands have significantly increased over the years, from just more than 51 million in 2001 to over 55 million in 2006.
Join the Victor Valley 4 Wheelers in Johnson Valley OHV Area near Barstow, CA. for Fun In the Desert Rockfest 2008.
Register online at www.victorvalley4wheelers.com or download the registration form below.