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Tonto National Forest
Plans for trails used by off-highway vehicles will be available for review and comment beginning Friday through April 12.
The document being reviewed is the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tahoe National Forest Travel Management Plan. The statement builds on and updates the previous drafts released for public comment in 2008.
Three open houses will be held next week to explain changes and how they affect the route alternatives.
The Forest Service has been working on this travel management project since 2003. The goal is to protect forest resources while providing a challenging and diverse road and motorized trail system for access to the National Forest and a variety of recreation opportunities.
The impact statement will address the prohibition of cross country travel off designated roads, trails and open areas; the addition of unauthorized motorized routes to the National Forest Transportation System; the establishment of motorized "Open Areas;" changes to the system of roads and trails; changes to the class of vehicle allowed on NFTS roads and/or trails; seasons of use to minimize wet weather erosion and water quality concerns; and the reopening of Maintenance Level 1 roads (those that had been closed) for public use.
These open houses will be drop-in style meetings, with the opportunity to view displays and maps and talk to members of the interdisciplinary team.
Open houses are scheduled from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 2 at the Sierraville Ranger Station, Sierraville, in the conference room; March 4 at the Ridge Golf Club, 2020 Golf Course Road, Auburn; and March 10 at Tahoe National Forest Headquarters, 631 Coyote St, Nevada City — use upper parking lot.
Public comments need to be postmarked by April 12. Comments can be sent to the Tahoe National Forest, Travel Management Team, 631 Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959 or via e-mail to: tnf_rte_desig@fs.fed.us. The full DEIS is at www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe.
For more information, call the Forest Headquarters (530) 265-4531.