{"id":6032,"date":"2015-06-26T11:04:50","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T18:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=6032"},"modified":"2015-06-26T11:04:50","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T18:04:50","slug":"u-s-forest-service-seeks-public-input-on-over-snow-vehicle-designation-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=6032","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Forest Service Seeks Public Input on Over-Snow Vehicle Designation Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sonora, California, <\/strong>June 26, 2015<\/span> \u2013 The Stanislaus National Forest (STF) is requesting public comment on the Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) proposed action beginning today, June 26.\u00a0\u00a0 Public comment on the proposed action is encouraged.\u00a0 To assure your comments are fully considered during the scoping phase of the project, please submit comments by August 10, 2015<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe appreciate those who have an interest in this effort taking time to review the proposal and provide comments as appropriate, especially if you have site specific comments or suggestions on how your concerns might be resolved,\u201d said Jeanne Higgins, Forest Supervisor for the Stanislaus National Forest.\u00a0 \u201cAt the public meetings held last fall and earlier this winter, we listened to your interests and concerns.\u00a0 Since then, we have worked hard to balance the desires of stakeholders.\u00a0 The proposed action represents our response to that effort. The information you share now will be instrumental in formulating alternative actions in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for consideration prior to a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable and sustainable system of roads, trails, and areas designated for OSV use within the STF, \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to provide access for OSV use,\u201d said Higgins, \u201cbut we also need to minimize impacts to natural resources and conflicts with other groups using the Forest.\u201d<\/p>\n

The proposed action also identifies trails for grooming and adopts the California State Parks\u2019 Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division snow depth standards for that purpose.<\/p>\n

For over 30 years, the Forest Service has enhanced winter recreation opportunities, including snowmobiling, by working in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) Off-highway Motor Vehicle Division.\u00a0 Highlights of the proposed plan could enhance that use by:<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Identifying approximately 54 miles of designated OSV trails that would be groomed on the Forest;<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Joining forces with Tuolumne and Alpine Counties to groom Clark\u2019s Fork Road (9 miles) and the Highland Lakes Road (5 miles);<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Designating 98 miles of ungroomed OSV routes;<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Designating 141,073 acres for open OSV riding;<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Grooming trails when there is 12-18 inches of snow;<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Implementing a Forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use when there is a minimum of 12 inches of continuous and supportable snow covering the landscape at 5,000 feet in elevation and above. Stanislaus Meadow on the Calaveras Ranger District will require a minimum depth of 24 inches. These snow depth requirements will\u00a0 provide for public safety, while protecting\u00a0 natural and cultural resources;<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Amending the Forest Plan to allow winter OSV use in the Pacific Valley and portions of the Eagle Night Near Natural areas.<\/p>\n

The analysis to be documented in the EIS is needed to complete\u00a0 Subpart C-Use by Over-Snow Vehicle, of the Forest Service Travel Management Rule (36 CFR part 212) and to comply with a Settlement Agreement between the Forest Service and Snowlands Network et al.\u00a0 The Settlement Agreement requires the Forest Service to analyze the effects of grooming snow trails for OSV use.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo decisions have been made at this point,\u201d said Higgins, \u201cand we really value dialog with interested members of the public regarding our OSV program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Forest will be hosting several open houses where we will provide an overview of the Proposed Action and answer questions. All meetings will be held from\u00a0\u00a0 6:00-8:00 p.m.<\/span> Locations are as followed:<\/p>\n