Planning
The Tonto National Forest released the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Forest’s Travel Management Plan on October 5, 2021. The Tonto is currently drafting a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) as required by the 2005 Travel Management Rule to display the designated roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use. These maps will be available for free for the public to download onto their devices or pickup at a District Office; at this time a MVUM is not yet available.
The Tonto National Forest has a new Land Management Plan!
Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth signed the Record of Decision for the revised Tonto National Forest Land Management Plan (land management plan) on December 8, 2023. The Record of Decision documents the rationale for approving the land management plan. This revised plan will replace the existing 1985 land management plan (1985 forest plan) effective 30 days from December 8, 2023.
Each National Forest and Grassland is governed by a Land and Resource Management Plan in accordance with the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). The Tonto National Forest began revising its Forest Plan in 2014 using the 2012 Planning Rule for the National Forest System.
The land management plan describes desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, land suitability, and monitoring guidance for project and activity decision-making and will guide all resource management activities on the Forest. The development of the revised land management plan was shaped by the best available scientific information, current laws, and public input. This webpage provides information on the forest plan revision process.
Project documents including the Record of Decision, land management plan, and environmental impact statement can be found on the associated project page.
Projects approved under the 1985 forest plan will continue under the direction of that plan through completion. All new projects must comply with the revised land management plan.
Travel Management Plan
The new travel plan delivers on several important updates found through public comment to include over 4,200 miles of roads and motorized trails open to the public, eight Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas where travel off of designated system roads and motorized trails is permitted along with four permit zones.
Motor vehicle use solely for retrieving legally harvested elk and bear for all hunts up to one mile on both sides of all designated roads and motorized trails is also included. Motor vehicle use for dispersed camping will continue to be a priority with approximately 91 miles of full-sized motorized trails that access approximately 2,750 dispersed camping sites. For those seeking to continue to access areas for fuelwood, the use of motorized vehicles off of designated system roads and motorized trails will continue to aid in the collection of permitted personal fuelwood within appropriate areas designed for cutting and collection.
Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use
I designate a total of 4,215 miles of motorized routes consisting of both roads and motorized trails. Of this total, 1,544 miles are designated as roads and 2,671 miles are designated as motorized trails.
All documentation related to this project can be found on the project website.
Kelly Araiza
OHV Program Manager
2324 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ, 85006
(602)225-5362
Email
Devin Quintana
Public Services Staff Officer
2324 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602)225-5257
Email