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The New OHV Policy: Frequently Asked Questions
Have you heard about the new OHV policy regulating motor vehicles in the outdoors? It’s officially called the “USDA Forest Service Travel Management Rule,” and here are some frequently asked questions about it:
What Is Involved in the New Forest Service Travel Management Rule?
The Forest Service’s travel management rule requires each national forest or ranger district to designate roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use, by class of vehicle and, if applicable, by time of year. Designated routes and areas will be identified on a motor vehicle use map. Once the map is published, motor vehicle use inconsistent with the designations will be prohibited.
Who Will the Travel Management Rule Affect?
Everyone. Travel management decisions affect anyone who uses a motor vehicle on National Forests or Grasslands or is interested in or affected by motor vehicle use such as.four-wheel drive enthusiasts, ATV riders, off-highway motorcyclists, dispersed campers, hunters, even hikers.
Why Get Involved?
If you don’t participate, the Forest Service may not fully understand your interests or point of view.
Why Designate Routes?
The dramatic increase in use of OHVs demands new policies to respond to new demands. The Chief of the Forest Service has identified unmanaged recreation—including impacts from motor vehicles—as one of the top four threats facing the nation’s forests today.
Who Will Decide Which Routes Are Open to Motor Vehicle Use?
After involving the public and coordinating with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, forest supervisors and district rangers will determine which roads, trails, and areas are open to motor vehicle use, in accordance with the laws, regulations and policies that guide the Forest Service. The public will be involved during each step of the process.
How Can I Help?
· Read about the new Forest Service Travel Management rule on www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv.
· Find the contact person for each forest in which you are interested by going to www.fs.fed.us.
· Observe and comment at each stage of route designation as a forest moves through the process.
· Attend Forest Service meetings and/or send comments. Send thoughts and justification as to why certain routes are important to you or why a route should not be designated.
(Portions of this article taken from Route 5’s Travel Management Rule website)
Tread Lightly!(R) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Tread Lightly!’s strategic educational message, along with its training and stewardship initiatives are designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them.