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Travel Management Planning
On July 31, 2002, Regional Forester Rick Cables signed the Record of Decision for the revised management plan (“Forest Plan”) to guide the programs and activities on the Nebraska National Forest and associated units. The plan changed the previous approach to motorized travel from “open unless designated closed” to “closed unless designated open”. It directed the Forest to designate all roads, trails, and areas where motorized travel would be allowed, by completing site specific analyses with appropriate public involvement, within 5 years.
In addition, then-Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, in 2003, identified unmanaged recreation, with a focus on Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use, as one of the four main threats to the national forests and national grasslands.
In response to this initiative, on November 9, 2005, the Forest Service -- after receiving 81,563 comments on the proposed rule -- published a final travel management regulation governing the use of OHVs and other motorized vehicles on National Forest System lands. The final rule (sometimes known as “the New OHV Rule” or simply “the Rule”) requires individual national forests to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. Once designation of roads, trails, and areas is complete on a national forest, national grassland, or ranger district, the rule will prohibit motorized vehicles off of the designated system.
The need for this rule and the ultimate decisions on route and area designations is to protect the public’s resources while still providing quality outdoor experiences within the capabilities of the ecosystems and projected funding levels.
The Chief’s timeline for completion of the route designation process specifies that all National Forest units implement the travel management regulation by October 2009.
For more information on National and Regional Travel Management Policy and Implementation:
- Forest Service Travel Management & Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program
- Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region Travel Management
- Black Hills National Forest Travel Management
- Nebraska National Forest Travel Management
The Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for designation of a motorized travel access system is available. Attend a meeting to learn about the alternatives and how you can comment:
| Location | Date/Time | Host | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Platte, NE | October 5th 3-5p.m & 7-9p.m. CST | Holiday Inn Express | I-80 & US-83 |
| Valentine, NE | October 6th 6:30-8:30p.m. CST | Minnechaduza Office | 1st & Hall St. |
| Thedford, NE | October 7th 7-9p.m. CST | Stubs Fine Dining | Hwy 2 |
| Grand Island, NE | October 8th 5:30-7:30p.m. | Mid-town Holiday Inn | 2505 S. Locust St. |
| Chadron, NE | October 13th 2-8p.m. | Motel 6 | Hwy 385 |
| Rapid City, SD | October 15th 1-8p.m. | Ramkota Best Western | 2111 N LaCrosse St |
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