National Forest Travel Management Plans

Each national forest generally begins the travel management (or route designation) planning process by issuing a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.  There are at least two opportunities (and sometimes three) for the public to comment during the planning phase.  It is very important that all public comments be submitted by the due date for each phase.

1. Notice of Intent (NOI) – The NOI contains a national forest’s proposed action or proposed travel management plan.  The public has a minimum of 30-45 days to review the proposed action and provide their comments.  Public comments are then used to develop a range of travel management alternatives to be analyzed in the Forest’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
2. Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) – A Forest DEIS describes a range of alternatives for travel management and invites the public to review and comment on them.  The public comment period can range from 45 to 90 days.  These comments are used to modify the analysis and complete a Final Environmental Impact Statement.
3. Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) – Sometimes Forests may issue their FEIS for a 30 or 45 day comment period prior to the Forest Supervisor issuing his/her decision in the Record of Decision.  This opportunity for public comment is optional, but the public may request it be offered when they respond to Forest DEISs.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
The Bridgeport Ranger District on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest issued their Scoping Document on November 20, 2008.  Comments were due on December 31, 2008 and ROC has provided our response.  Their Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements will be published in 2009. 

To obtain more information about the travel management planning process on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit their web page at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/#bridgeport

Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_outcomes_12_9_08 (10 kb)
Exhibit_2_ROC_proposed_trails_HTNF (17 kb)
Exhibit_3_ROC_MMU _benchmarks_30N16 (595 kb)
ROC_HTNF_Bridgeport_RD_scoping_ltr_final_12_31_08 (48 kb)

ROC submitted our response to the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, Bridgeport Ranger District, Draft Environmental Impact Statement on September 14, 2009.  The Forest extended the public comment period to November 20, 2009, which allowed us time to review some additional data that they sent us and update our September letter.  Below is our revised letter and exhibit.

ROC_HTNF_NF_DEIS_Rev_FINAL_comments_11_20_09 (104 kb)
ROC_HTNF_NF_DEIS_Exhibit_1_proposed_trails_sorted_11_20_09 (24 kb)

Inyo National Forest
The Inyo National Forest issued their Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Travel Management on January 31, 2009 for a 60-day public comment period, which ended on March 31, 2009.  ROC submitted our comments on that date.

ROC_Inyo_NF_DEIS_comments_final_3_31_09.pdf (92 kb)

Klamath National Forest
The Klamath’s Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for travel management was issued on October 7, 2008.  Public comments on the Klamath’s proposed action were due December 12, 2008. ROC submitted our comments on that date.

To find out more information about the Klamath National Forest, please visit their web page at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/

ROC_Klamath_NF_NOI_Comments_final_12_12_08 (51 kb)
ROC_R5_mixed_use_ltr_edited_3_29_08_Exhibit_1 (32 kb)
ROC Maintenance Levels RDP_5_28_08_Exhibit 2 (25 kb)
Mixed_use_analysis_benchmarks_3 (226 kb)

ROC_Klamath_NF_DEIS_Final_Comments_8_4_09 (85 kb)

Lassen National Forest
The Lassen issued their Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for travel management on October 25, 2007.  ROC’s comments and proposed alternative are below.  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled for release in winter 2009.

To find out more information about the Lassen National Forest, please visit their web page at

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/

Morse_ltr_final_5_28_2008 (97 kb)
ROC_DEIS_final_quad_sort_5_28_08 (212 kb)
ROC Maintenance Levels RDP_5_28_08 (25 kb)
ROC_Volunteer_Projects_5_28_08 (42 kb)

ROC_Lassen_NF_DEIS_comments_final_7_31_09 (160 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_planning_4_1_2009 (25 kb)
Exhibit_2_ROC_FHWA USDA 1966 MOU (49 kb)
Exhibit 3_ROC_Mixed_Use_Rds_Lassen_NF_DEIS (41 kb)
Exhibit_4_ROC_UA_Routes_Lassen_NF_DEIS (20 kb)

On December 14, 2009, the Lassen National Forest issued their final Environmental Impact Statement for travel management for a 30 day public comment period.  Public comments were due on January 19, 2010.  The Lassen NF will consider these comments prior to the Forest Supervisor issuing the Record of Decision for the FEIS.  ROC sent the following letter regarding the FEIS.  ROC also submitted a Data Quality Act request to the FS Washington Office.  We asked for a second level peer review of the engineering analysis of proposed motorized mixed use roads.  We find the analysis deficient in many areas and it needs to be corrected.  The FEIS will significantly restrict non-highway legal vehicle travel in the Lassen NF.

ROC_Lassen_NF_FEIS_comments_final_1_19_10.pdf (252 kb)
ROC_Data_Quality_Act_ltr_2_1_10.pdf (268 kb)
ROC_Data_Quality_Act_ER_roads_summary_2_1_10.pdf (113 kb)

Modoc National Forest
The Modoc National Forest issued their Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Travel Management on May 12, 2008.  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released for public comment on December 29, 2008.  Comments are due by February 11, 2009.

To find out more information about the Modoc National Forest, please visit their web page at

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/

ROC_MNF_DEIS_final_2_11_2009.pdf (75 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_MMU _benchmarks_30N16.pdf (683 kb)

Plumas National Forest
The Plumas National Forest issued their Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Travel Management on January 3, 2008.  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released for public comment on December 29, 2008.  Public comments are due by March 11, 2009.  The Sierra Access Coalition (SAC) is taking the lead is responding to Plumas NF planning documents.  ROC is coordinating our comments through SAC and will also be sending our own letter.

ROC has also been working with the Plumas NF on the designation of a discovery trail (or backcountry byway) through the Forest.  ROC’s letters of support are below.

To find out more information about the Plumas National Forest, please visit their web page at

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas/

ROC_Plumas BCDT Support 6_16_08 (19 kb)

ROC_PNF_DEIS_comments_final_3_13_09.pdf (89 kb)

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest issued their Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for travel management on August 26, 2008.  ROC’s comments are below.

To find out more information about the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon, please visit their web page at

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/

Rogue_River_NOI_final_10_14_2008 (110 kb)
ROC Maintenance Levels RDP_5_28_08 (2) (25 kb)

ROC_Rogue_R_Siskiyou_NF_DEIS_comments_final_5_11_09 (98 kb)

Sierra National Forest
The comment period for the Sierra National Forest Draft Environmental Impact Statement closes on June 30, 2009. ROC has provided our response and recommends the Forest analyze a new alternative. ROC’s comments are below along with our suggested changes to the national forest transportation system for allow more mixed use opportunities.

ROC_Sierra_NF_DEIS_comments_final_6_17_09 (140 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_planning_4_1_2009 (25 kb)
Exhibit_2_Sierra_NF_Eng_Rpt_draft (349 kb)
Exhibit_3_KNF_mixed_use_assessment_2009 (24 kb)
Exhibit_4_ROC_Sierra_DEIS_add_roads_6_16_09 (80 kb)

Shasta-Trinity National Forest
The Notice of Intent for the Shasta-Trinity to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for travel management was issued on August 8, 2008.  ROC’s comments and proposed alternative are below.  Comments from other elected officials are also included.

To find out more information about the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, please visit their web page at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/

R5_mixed_use_ltr_6_20_07_edited_3_29_08 (31 kb)
ROC Maintenance Levels RDP_5_28_08 (25 kb)
Shasta_Trinity_final_9_16_2008 (140 kb)
Shasta_Trinity_NOI_final_ROC_routes_9_16_08 (82 kb)
Les Baugh letter (78 kb)
Congressman Wally Herger letter (71 kb)

ROC prepared the short summary and commentary on the Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for both the Lassen and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. The proposed travel management plans for both forests are alarming as to the extent motorized recreation opportunities will be reduced. ROC encourages you to review our commentary and submit your comments on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest DEIS by August 25.

ROC submitted our response to the Shasta-Trinity NF Draft Environmental Impact Statement on August 20, 2009.  Our letter is below.

ROC_TMP_commentary_FINAL_ 8_1_09 (34 kb)
ROC_STNF_NF_DEIS_FINAL_comments__8_20_09 (135 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_planning2_4_1_2009 (25 kb)

Six Rivers National Forest

ROC_SRNF_scoping_ltr_final_2_9_09.pdf (54 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_planning_principles_vers3.pdf (26 kb)
Exhibit_2_ROC_MMU _benchmarks.pdf(683 kb)

With four DEISs issued during the month of June, ROC was unable to review and comment on the DEIS for the Six Rivers National Forest travel management plan.

Stanislaus National Forest

ROC_Stanislaus_NF_DEIS_comments_final_5_20_09 (135 kb)
Exhibit_1_ROC_travel_mgt_planning_4_1_2009 (36 kb)
Exhibit_2_KNF_mixed_use_assessment_2009 (40 kb)
Exhibit_3_ROC_Stanislaus_DEIS_add_roads_5_20_09 (19 kb)

Tahoe National Forest
The Tahoe issued their Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for travel management on April 11, 2007.  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Travel Management was released for public review and comment on September 26, 2008.  The comment period ended on November 26, 2008.  ROC has submitted our comments.

To find out more information about the Tahoe National Forest, please visit their web page at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/

Exhibit_1_ROC_MMU _benchmarks_30N16 (595 kb)
Exhibit_2_Tahoe_NF_MMU (33 kb)
ROC_TNF_DEIS_reply_final_12_19_08 (56 kb)