Travel Management Overview
The rapid expansion of OHV travel on national forests and grasslands along with the reduction of resources for maintaining our roads and trails has been impacting the natural and cultural resources on federal lands managed by the Forest Service.
The Shasta-Trinity currently has more than 3500 miles of roads and trails open to motorized use for both high clearance street legal vehicles and off highway vehicles, and more than 1000 miles of roads open to passenger car vehicles. However unmanaged recreation, including OHV use, has resulted in unplanned roads and trails, erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacts to archaeological sites and yet still doesn’t provide a quality recreation experience for the public. This impedes the Forest’s ability to focus our limited resources to protect our natural resources, conduct project work, and provide safe and reasonable access for the enjoyment of the public.
The 2005 Travel Management Rule is a continuation of efforts to improve management of motorized vehicle use on National Forest System Lands to balance all of these responsibilities. The intent was to develop a system of roads, trails and areas designated for motor vehicle travel, thereby minimizing or eliminating the undesirable impacts from unmanaged motor vehicle travel. As we work with stakeholders we look forward to improving the transportation system for all users.
2005 Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212) Processes consist of:
- Subpart A - Planning for the road system (link below)
- Subpart B - Route Designation (link below)
- Subpart C - Use of Over Snow Vehicles.
Travel Management is an on-going effort that will continue to evolve as work is done to analyze and modify the transportation system to meet the recreational and access needs of local citizens and visitors, while protecting important resources. Public input is welcomed during the development of recommendations during the Travel Analysis portion of Subpart A. Subsequent decisions will be made using the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process which allows the public to be involved in the decision making process. These decisions will result in changes to route designations on the forest. Route designations are reflected on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM). The MVUM will be revised annually to reflect modification and improvements to the Forest transportation system. The on-going nature of this work is reflected in the projects listed below:
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest Motorized Travel Management Record of Decision (ROD) of 2010. This was the first forest-wide decision designating routes and eliminating cross country travel.
- Shasta-Trinity OHV Accessibility Enhancement Project Decision of 2012. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest worked with Shasta County Public Works to develop a proposal that would increase mixed use on nearly 100 miles of roads in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou Counties. This improved the connectivity for previously designated routes for use by all motorized vehicles.
- Beegum Creek Watershed Restoration Project - NEPA analysis underway. This project began as a straight forward watershed enhancement project focused on sediment issues, but when the Forest heard input from OHV users, another alternative is being considered which may include some conversion to trail opportunities to provide both recreation opportunities and water quality improvements.
- Bagley OHV Feasibility Study (Draft) - Concepts for motorized recreation opportunities north of Shasta Lake are being studied with the help of OHV enthusiasts and the Shasta Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).
SUBPART A
Travel Analysis (often called TAP for short). The Forest has begun a whole-forest look at the National Forest System Roads called Travel Analysis. This analysis is intended to identify opportunities forfuture changes that will provide a sustainable road system for public access and future management needs. The result is a recommendation that will balance the need for access with the least damage or impactto the environment, and do so in a safe, affordable manner.
Shasta-Trinity Travel Analysis Process
Current Situation
Forest employees will compile and analyze comments and provide an updated map in the winter. The report will be written and reviewed over the winter with a report due to the Forest Service Regional Office in spring 2014.
SUBPART B
Route Designation. Route designation is a decision process for motor vehicle use, using NEPA processes. The type of vehicle and season of use is included in the designation roads, trails and areas; and cross country travel is prohibited. The results of the decisions are documented in the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) - Motor Vehicle Use Maps are revised annually. Free MVUMs showing more than 4500 miles of roads.
Mobile Map files are available now!
FAQ’s [MVUM] [Travel Analysis]
Travel Management Comment Sheets: Please Share Comments and Questions Here
- TAP
For questions, please send to:
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
- MVUM comments/questions [email link] [print, fill out, mail]