Webmaster
07-01-2009, 08:19 AM
Visitors using roads and motorized trails on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will need a map beginning late this year that shows what type of motor vehicles can be used on the Forest and where they can go. The maps will be free at Forest Service offices and on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website.
More information:
Dear Forest User,
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) expects to implement the 2005 Travel Management Rule (the Rule) this November. The Rule, adopted by the Forest Service in 2005 following extensive public review, will provide a consistent method for all National Forests to show which roads and trails are open to use by motor vehicles. It will do this by issuing a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM will benefit forest users by providing a consistent method of showing what roads and trails are open to different classes of motor vehicles. It will replace the system of site specific Forest Orders and road signs now in effect.
The MVUM will show roads and trails open to motorized vehicles, and what type of motor vehicles the public can use on each one. Roads and trails not shown on the map are closed to motor vehicle use. The Rule does not apply to snowmobiles. The map will not make any new changes in road, trail, or area closures to motor vehicle use on the MBS.
When published, the free map will be available at Forest Service offices and on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website. The MVUM will be used to enforce motor vehicle use closures. It will be the responsibility of motor vehicle users to obtain a copy of the map to ensure they are driving or riding on an open road or trail, in much the same manner as hunting regulations are conveyed through the use of a hunting guide.
Currently, information about use restrictions is available at all Forest Service offices, on the internet, and posted on signs located on Forest roads and trailheads. About two thousand miles of the Forest’s road system are open to use by State-licensed, “street legal” vehicles. The road system is closed to vehicles, such as quads, not licensed by the State. About 100 miles of the Forest trail system is open to motorbikes; and one area, Evans Creek, has trails open to use by other off-road vehicles.
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has involved the public for decades in motor vehicle use changes. Beginning in 1977, the Forest developed an “Off-Road Vehicle Plan” in response to Executive Order # 11644. Over the years, changes have been made to motor vehicle use through several different plans--the Forest Plan, Access and Travel Management plans (ATM’s), and project-specific plans. All these involved environmental analysis and public involvement. Recent ATM’s have closed roads, or converted roads to trails, in the Baker Lake Basin and South Fork Snoqualmie River area. The public has also offered comments on the soon to be released Suiattle River ATM Plan. A plan for the Evans Creek ORV Area has been completed. About half of the MBS has been designated Wilderness by Congress and is closed to all motor vehicle use. Because the National Forests are expected to continue to make changes to road and trail systems through various planning processes, such as those mentioned above, the Rule requires the MVUM to be updated annually.
The neighboring Olympic National Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest will pursue a similar course. The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are analyzing a variety of options to their more complex system of motorized use.
If you have questions about the MVUM for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, please contact Felix Nishida, Assistant Forest Engineer, at 425-783-6081 or Gary Paull, Trails/Wilderness Specialist, at 360-436-1155 x 207.
source: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/travel-management/mvum.shtml
More information:
Dear Forest User,
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) expects to implement the 2005 Travel Management Rule (the Rule) this November. The Rule, adopted by the Forest Service in 2005 following extensive public review, will provide a consistent method for all National Forests to show which roads and trails are open to use by motor vehicles. It will do this by issuing a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM will benefit forest users by providing a consistent method of showing what roads and trails are open to different classes of motor vehicles. It will replace the system of site specific Forest Orders and road signs now in effect.
The MVUM will show roads and trails open to motorized vehicles, and what type of motor vehicles the public can use on each one. Roads and trails not shown on the map are closed to motor vehicle use. The Rule does not apply to snowmobiles. The map will not make any new changes in road, trail, or area closures to motor vehicle use on the MBS.
When published, the free map will be available at Forest Service offices and on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website. The MVUM will be used to enforce motor vehicle use closures. It will be the responsibility of motor vehicle users to obtain a copy of the map to ensure they are driving or riding on an open road or trail, in much the same manner as hunting regulations are conveyed through the use of a hunting guide.
Currently, information about use restrictions is available at all Forest Service offices, on the internet, and posted on signs located on Forest roads and trailheads. About two thousand miles of the Forest’s road system are open to use by State-licensed, “street legal” vehicles. The road system is closed to vehicles, such as quads, not licensed by the State. About 100 miles of the Forest trail system is open to motorbikes; and one area, Evans Creek, has trails open to use by other off-road vehicles.
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has involved the public for decades in motor vehicle use changes. Beginning in 1977, the Forest developed an “Off-Road Vehicle Plan” in response to Executive Order # 11644. Over the years, changes have been made to motor vehicle use through several different plans--the Forest Plan, Access and Travel Management plans (ATM’s), and project-specific plans. All these involved environmental analysis and public involvement. Recent ATM’s have closed roads, or converted roads to trails, in the Baker Lake Basin and South Fork Snoqualmie River area. The public has also offered comments on the soon to be released Suiattle River ATM Plan. A plan for the Evans Creek ORV Area has been completed. About half of the MBS has been designated Wilderness by Congress and is closed to all motor vehicle use. Because the National Forests are expected to continue to make changes to road and trail systems through various planning processes, such as those mentioned above, the Rule requires the MVUM to be updated annually.
The neighboring Olympic National Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest will pursue a similar course. The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests are analyzing a variety of options to their more complex system of motorized use.
If you have questions about the MVUM for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, please contact Felix Nishida, Assistant Forest Engineer, at 425-783-6081 or Gary Paull, Trails/Wilderness Specialist, at 360-436-1155 x 207.
source: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/travel-management/mvum.shtml