The Decision: Motorized Travel

2. The Decision:Motorized Travel Black Hills National Forest March 24, 2010

4. Announce the decision • Answer your questions • Show you the maps • News Interviews

5. Background • Public discussions since August 2003 • Travel Planning Rule 2005 • The National Forest Advisory Board – 11 design recommendations • Proposed Action – September 2007 • Draft EIS – 5 Alternatives – March 2009 • Public, agencies, Tribes, local govts commented on DEIS • Final EIS

6. Design Recommendations • “active” versus passive • main arterial system – network of multi-scale loops • allow for game retrieval • dispersed camping – 300’ • motorized use to collect firewood • variety of motorized opportunities

7. Design Recommendations • pursue all possible funding • cooperative effort – FS, SD, WY, local • focused away from population • cross-country motorized OHV in designated areas • no mud-bogging

8. Table 1 – Alternatives and Decision

9. Table 1 –Decision

11. The Decision - Elements • Overall: • Decision built from elements of alternatives • Focusing on diversity of motorized recreation • Road system for access and driving for pleasure

12. The Decision - Elements • Trail systems for a variety of user experiences • Family opportunities • A network of connected loop trails

13. The Decision - Elements Roads and motorized trails open to all Principally connect: • Looped trail systems • Destinations

14. The Decision - Elements • Special Vehicle Designation • Vehicles 62 inches or less in width in SD • Vehicles 50 inches or less in width in WY

15. The Decision - Elements • Game Retrieval – Elk Only • 300 feet and in some cases up to 1 mile in portions of SD • 300 feet in WY

16. The Decision - Elements • Dispersed Camping– • 300’ from most open roads

17. Environmental & Cultural Resource Protection Table 2. Routes requiring design criteria, removal or rerouting to avoid impacts to special status plant species or areas

18. Environmental & Cultural Resource Protection Gonyer Mats – Hardening Stream Crossings

19. Trail locations to reduce conflicts with other users…

20. Decision

21. Next • Notice of Availability – April • Followed by 45 day appeal period • Publish Motor Vehicle Use Map 2010

22. Questions?

23. Happy trails!