Plumas National Forest; California; Plumas National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System lands within the Plumas National Forest; and to identify snow trails for grooming within the Plumas National Forest. In addition, the Forest Service proposes to: 1. Formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before grooming can occur; 2. Implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use that would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource protection by allowing OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches. Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most groomed snow trails are co-located on underlying paved, dirt, and gravel National Forest System roads and trails; 3. Identify snow trails for grooming on the Plumas National Forest for OSV use; 4. Restrict OSV use to designated snow trails in specified areas; 5. Enact OSV prohibitions in certain areas.