1. TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN Wallowa-Whitman National Forest March 2008 Nez Perce Tribe Update Nez Perce Tribe Update

2. Overview  Forest Service Travel Management Planning  Wallowa-Whitman NF strategy  Significant Issues from public ad other comments?  Planning Team update

3. WHY is the FS doing Travel Mgt. Planning?  Jan. 2004 - Chief of the FS cited four major threats to NFS including unmanaged outdoor recreation.  National direction - develop a strategy to address motor- vehicle use on NFS lands.  Strategy would address issues like: Damage to wetlands and habitatDamage to wetlands and habitat Disturbance to wildlifeDisturbance to wildlife Spread of invasive speciesSpread of invasive species Conflicts between usersConflicts between users 2005- FS Published this strategy as a final Travel Management Rule in Federal Register. 2005- FS Published this strategy as a final Travel Management Rule in Federal Register.  The rule provided direction for all national Forests & Grasslands to complete by 2009.

4. Wallowa-Whitman NF OHV Users  National growth in OHV use & users: –5 million = 1972 vs. 36 million = 2002.  2003 Oregon SCORP: –13.6% of NE Oregon population uses ATVs & 13.2% use 4 WD - highest use in state –1987-2002 State trend …ATV use up 38.4%  2004 WWNF Visitor Use Survey –566,000 NF visits –10.5% visitor use OHVs –37.9% pleasure driving

5. Strategy for Completion 2006 – Data Inventory Validation 2007 – Public Involvement and Environmental Analysis 2008 – Alternative Development & Continuation of environmental analysis 2009 – Draft & Final EIS, Designation of routes with map 2010 – Implementation – map distribution, public information & education

6. WWNF Proposed Action SUMMARY WWNF published Proposed Action on May 3, 2007 in Federal Register.WWNF published Proposed Action on May 3, 2007 in Federal Register. Presented at Public meetings May 15-17.Presented at Public meetings May 15-17. Comment period closed on November 16, 2007.Comment period closed on November 16, 2007.

7. Proposed Action Summary  Designate: –Portion of the existing NF system roads, trails, and areas, open to public motor vehicle use. –Type of use(s) and season of use.  Use off these designated routes will be closed to motor-vehicles year-round (except the use of over-snow vehicles, aircraft, etc.)

8. Proposed Action  Only includes existing NF system roads and trails.  Maint. Level 4 & 5 (ML 4-5) – ie. Paved, 2 lane.  Maint. Level 3 (ML3) roads – improved, 1+ lanes.  Maint. Level 2 (ML2) roads – unimproved, single lane  No changes to existing use on MLs 2-5 in Proposed Action = 3,572 miles ML 5 Road ML 2 Road ML 3 Road

9. Proposed Action  Prohibits motorized vehicle use on Maint. Level 1 roads (ML1) –Past project level decisions made to close these roads. –Many are bermed, gated, or growing back with vegetation. –Many were never formally closed to ATV/full-size use, so use of these un-maintained roads occurs.  Approx. 4300 miles within the Project area.  Open to comments with specific reasons or rationale recommending change to the Proposed action. ML 1 Road bermed ML 1 Road gated

10. Proposed Action  Continues motorized use on all 120 miles designed OHV trails.  Ie. Blue Mtn OHV Trail & Winom –Frazier OHV System.  Prohibits motorized use on other FS system trails not designed for OHV use.

11. Proposed Action  Adopts travel mgt in these areas: –Congressionally designated wilderness areas –Areas with existing/recent decisions which meet the direction and intent of the Final Travel Management Rule.  Hell Canyon NRA – 2003 Comprehensive Management Plan.  Bald Angel, Sled Springs OHV Trail system & SF Burnt River OHV Trail System  Baker City & La Grande Municipal watersheds

12. Proposed Action  Adopts existing travel mgt. decisions for areas with current forest orders. Example: ‘Chesnimnus Cooperative Travel management (‘green-dot’ areas).  To meet Regional direction & consistency: –Dispersed camping may be allowed up to 300 feet off designated route. –No provisions for big game retrieval off designated routes.

13. Proposed Action  Will not analyze any new or “user created” roads and trails.  These are trails not designed for OHV use, or managed by FS.  However there are opportunities in future to work with Districts on site specific proposals.

14. Public Involvement  3 informational meetings held in March, 2007 at Baker City, La Grande & Enterprise  3 Meetings explaining Proposed Action held from May 15-17, 2007  Internet site and info. @ each district office.  County working groups

15. Significant Issues  Recreation Experience  Resource Protection  Access  Social & Economic (See Newsletter)

16. Planning Team Update  Planning Team and Steering Committee formed by Forester Supervisor in 2007  Public comments reviewed –500 site-specific letter –1,500 e-mails –2000+ form letters –Several petitions  Significant Issues determined  Developing Alternatives in 2008  Working with tribes, counties and government agencies

17. To learn more  Visit the Wallowa-Whitman NF website www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w/recreation/ohv/ohv-rule.shtml