81 FR 33655 - Shoshone National Forest Travel Management; Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 103 (May 27, 2016)

The Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of implementing travel management activities that include designating the class of vehicles, seasons of use, additions, and subtractions to the roads, trails, and areas open for recreational motorized use during summer and winter. The Forest is proposing changes to its Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and publication of the initial Over Snow Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM) per the requirements of 36 CFR parts 212 Travel Management, Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use, Final Rule (Federal Register 2005: 70 FR 68264).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33655-33656]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12069]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Shoshone National Forest Travel Management; Shoshone National 
Forest, Wyoming

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact 
statement to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of 
implementing travel management activities that include designating the 
class of vehicles, seasons of use, additions, and subtractions to the 
roads, trails, and areas open for recreational motorized use during 
summer and winter. The Forest is proposing changes to its Motor Vehicle 
Use Map (MVUM) and publication of the initial Over Snow Vehicle Use Map 
(OSVUM) per the requirements of 36 CFR parts 212 Travel Management, 
Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use, Final Rule (Federal 
Register 2005: 70 FR 68264).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 27, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
March 2017 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
March 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Rob Robertson, 333 East Main 
Street, Lander, Wyoming, 82520. Comments may also be sent via email to 
[email protected], or via facsimile to 
307-332-0264.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Robertson at 307-335-2156 or 
[email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The overall objective of the proposed action is to provide a 
manageable system of designated public motor vehicle access routes and 
areas within the Shoshone National Forest, consistent with the Forest 
Plan, Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, and the travel management 
regulations at 36 CFR 212 subparts B and C. The decisions associated 
with the designations of roads, trails, and areas open to the public 
will be published in maps for both summer and winter travel.
    There were needs identified through the Forest Planning effort to 
examine the existing system and identify current routes with resource 
concerns or enforcement issues which could be removed or changed in the 
system.
     There is a need to provide some level of motorized routes 
to a growing user group on the Shoshone National Forest. The Forest 
Plan directs us to look for opportunities to provide ``loop'' 
opportunities for motorized use.
     An additional need of equal importance is to ensure or 
improve compliance and accountability on the existing road and trail 
system.
     Another need is to consider if there are current routes 
with resource concerns or enforcement issues which could be removed or 
changed in the system.
     Finally, there is a need to designate roads, trails, and 
areas for winter motorized travel and produce an over snow vehicle use 
map. This direction stems from a recent court decision and a subsequent 
revision of the 2005 Travel Management Rule.
    Additionally, the Regional Forester, in The Record of Decision for 
the SNF Land Management Plan Revision acknowledged the Forest's 
recognition of these needs and directed the Shoshone National Forest to 
analyze additional motorized opportunities during the Travel Management 
planning process.

Proposed Action

    The Shoshone National Forest is proposing to modify its current 
summer Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and publish an Over Snow Motor 
Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM) to address the need to increase motorized 
recreation and loop opportunities while addressing concerns over 
resource conditions, unauthorized routes, and enforcement issues within 
the current system. The proposal is intended to provide a manageable 
system of designated public motor vehicle access routes and areas 
within the Shoshone National Forest, consistent with the Forest Plan, 
Executive Order 11644, and the travel management regulations at 36 CFR 
212, subparts B and C. Specific Changes to the summer system are as 
follows:
     Addition of 36 miles of motorized routes (roads and 
motorized trails) to the system.
     Addition of 5.9 miles of motorized routes to access 
dispersed camping sites.
     Closing 12 miles of roads to address resource and/or 
enforcement concerns.
     Designate 16 miles of existing motorized trails to 65'' 
width.
     Designate 13.4 miles of new proposed motorized trails for 
65'' width.
     Conversion of 2.1 miles of road to motorized trail, 65'' 
width.
     Addition of 61 miles of seasonal restrictions to reduce 
impacts to wildlife disturbance, increase wintertime safety, and 
protect road surfaces during the wet season.
     Consolidate the number of existing seasonal closure dates 
to help reduce confusion.

[[Page 33656]]

     Addition of 11 miles of ungroomed snowmobile trails.
     Close 1,354 acres of cross country skiing areas to 
motorized users.
     Prohibit tracked vehicles larger than a UTV from using 
groomed trails for public safety.
     Create two winter motorized seasons. The ``high 
elevation'' zone will have a season of 11/15 to 4/30. The ``low 
elevation'' zone will have a season of 12/1-4/1.

Responsible Official

    The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this proposal. The 
Shoshone National Forest Supervisor is the responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action 
as described above, or to meet the purpose and need for action through 
some other combination of activities, or to take no action at this 
time.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Written comments 
should be submitted to Shoshone National Forest, Attn: Rob Robertson, 
333 E. Main St., Lander, WY 82520, or fax: 307-332-0264; or email at 
[email protected] . Hand-delivered 
comments must be provided at the Supervisors' office or any of the 
Ranger District offices during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays).
    Electronic comments must be submitted to [email protected] in an email message, or attached in 
portable document format (.pdf) or Word (.docx) format.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.

    Dated: May 17, 2016.
Joseph Alexander,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2016-12069 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P