Introduction to Travel Management in Region 5

The Forest Service in California follows a Travel Management process implementing the national Travel Management Rule to provide a sustainable system of roads, trails and areas for public motor vehicle use on national forest lands.

The rapid expansion of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on national forests impacts the natural and cultural resources of federal lands and, in some cases, causes use conflicts. The Forest Service identified unmanaged recreation, especially impacts from OHVs, as one of the key threats facing the nation's forest.

OHV impacts have created unplanned roads and trails, erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacted cultural resource sites.

Improved management of motor vehicle use on national forests allows the Agency to enhance opportunities for public enjoyment of the national forests, including motorized and non-motorized recreation experiences.

California national forests are following the 2005 Travel Management Rule which has three parts:

• Subpart A—Administration of the Forest Transportation System;
• Subpart B—Designation of roads, trails and areas for motor vehicle use; and
• Subpart C—Use by over-snow vehicles.