This webpage provides updates on USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) activities with regard to their revision of forest plans, resource management plans and travel management plans, including opportunities for public input. It also includes information on other activities, as we learn of them, such as proposed recreational fee increases, prescribed burns, and other activities.

CURRENT UPDATES

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests announces the release of Proposed Land Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Feb. 6, 2013)

• Tonto National Forest to develop Travel Management Plan (Feb. 1, 2013)

• Tips for avoiding problems with Travel Management Rules (November 2012)

PAST UPDATES

• Approved Resource Management Plans Issued for the Sonoran Desert National Monument and the Lower Sonoran Field Office

• Arizona Game and Fish Department supports BLM’s proposed alternative (Alternative E) regarding "Recreational Target Shooting Areas" in the Lower Sonoran and Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM) Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (IES) (June 28, 2012)
  
  

• Coconino National Forest releases Travel Management decision (Nov. 3, 2011)
  
  
• USDA Forest Service seeks comment on proposed Forest Planning Rule to establish a new national framework for the Forest Service to develop land management plans. Deadline to submit comment is May 16, 2011

• Public invited to December open houses (Tucson, Winkelman, Safford, Klondyke) on Draft Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan and Environmental Assessment; public comment period extended to Jan. 15, 2011

• BLM releases final decision for the Middle Gila Transportation and Travel Management Plan (covering approx. 96,000 acres of public lands near Florence and Superior, Ariz.) (Nov. 10, 2010) 

• Public input sought for Coconino Forest Plan Revision; comment requested by Dec. 1, 2010; public meetings held Nov. 8 (Flagstaff), Nov. 9 (Cottonwood), Nov. 10 (Happy Jack)

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Motorized Travel Management is available for public review; public comment accepted until Dec. 13, 2010; public open houses scheduled for Nov. 8-17 in eastern Arizona communities

• Public comment period for BLM’s Havasu Travel Management Plan and Environmental Assessment extended to Feb. 28, 2011

• Update on Coconino Forest Plan Revision and potential wilderness consideration - Three of the 10 areas evaluated (Strawberry Crater, Walker Mountain, Davey’s) to be recommended as wilderness in initial draft Forest Plan; other areas to be evaluated further (September 2010)
  
  

• Coconino and Tonto Forests to host public meetings about future management of Fossil Creek – Meetings will be held Sept. 21, 2010 in Phoenix and Sept. 22, 2010 in Flagstaff

• Partnership releases draft Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan; public comments accepted (Aug. 30, 2010)

• BLM invites public comment on wild horse and burro management (BLM strategy document) until Sept. 3, 2010; view Arizona Game and Fish Department's comments - Aug. 24, 2010

• BLM issues final Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for Agua Fria National Monument and Bradshaw-Harquahala planning areas - April 22, 2010
  

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to host four open houses from April 12-19, 2010 on proposed alternatives for Forest Plan revision; public comment accepted through April 30, 2010

• Williams Ranger District (Kaibab National Forest) releases Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment for public comment; community meetings scheduled for Feb. 24 and March 6, 2010; comments due by March 9, 2010

• Tonto National Forest to hold open houses on proposed Travel Management Plan, Nov. 4 through Nov. 18, 2009; comments can be submitted through Dec. 4, 2009 (a link to the forest travel management proposed action can be found at this link)

• Update on Apache-Sitgreaves Forest Plan Revision - Working Draft Land Management Plan available for review; comments requested by Aug. 31, 2009

• BLM proposes Transportation Plan for public lands near Florence, Ariz.; public comments may be submitted by May 8, 2009

• Prescott National Forest preparing for Forest Plan Revision: Public meetings scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26, 2009

• Kaibab National Forest Releases Tusayan Ranger District Travel Management Environmental Assessment; public comment period ends Jan. 30, 2009; open houses to be held Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, 2009

• Little Mountain prescribed burn (North Kaibab Ranger District) planned to begin Sept. 18, 2008
  
  
• Prescribed burn schedule for the Prescott National Forest - Fall 2008
  
  
• Latest update regarding the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests' plan revision effort (including schedule of September open houses) – August 2008
  
  
• Prescott National Forest proposal to increase fees at sites such as Lynx Lake and Mingus Mountain. For more info, click here to visit the forest's Web site - Aug. 2008
  
  
• Proposed fee increases on the Prescott National Forest – comment deadline is June 30, 2008
  
  
• Williams Ranger District (Kaibab National Forest) releases Travel Management proposal; public work sessions to be held April 9 and 24; comment accepted by Forest Service through May 9, 2008

• Apache-Sitgreaves revised road proposal - public open houses on March 6 and March 8, 2008.

• Notice of Availability: ‘‘A Citizen’s Guide to the National Environmental Policy Act—Having Your Voice Heard’’ – Feb. 13, 2008.
  
  
• Final EIS for the 2008 National Forest Planning Rule along with a News Release is now available on the Washington office Forest Service Web site - Feb. 11, 2008.
  
  
• Public conference call regarding recommendations for Glen Canyon Dam operations and other management actions to protect resources downstream of Glen Canyon Dam consistent with the Grand Canyon Protection Act – scheduled for Jan. 17, 2008
  
  
• BLM Yuma Field Office - Open Houses on La Posa Travel Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (click here to see schedule) – Jan. 7, 2008
  
  
• Forest Service Proposes a Motorized Route System on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (click here to see public meeting schedule) – Oct. 17, 2007
  
  
• Updated information (including public meeting schedules) from Coronado National Forest on Forest Plan Revision – Oct. 2, 2007
  
  
• Arizona Game and Fish Department letter to Coconino National Forest regarding Proposed Action for managing motorized travel – Sept. 10, 2007 [PDF, 1.9mb]
  
  
• Coronado National Forest Open Houses – Public invited to provide input on the motorized transportation system for the Sierra Vista and Douglas Ranger Districts – Aug. 23 and Sept. 27
  
  
• Revised Implementation Guidelines for Travel Management Rule (including new guidelines for motorized game retrieval specific to Arizona, which were negotiated between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Southwest Regional Forest Service Office) – July 13, 2007.
  
  
• Kaibab National Forest Plan Revision Process,
  July 24, 2007 [pdf, 88kb]
  
  
• Coconino National Forest Public Meetings Regarding Travel Management Plan and Proposed Action – July-August 2007
  - Click here to view the Proposed Action – [PDF, 667kb]
  
  
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission letter to Bureau of Land Management - July 8, 2007 [PDF, 83kb]
  
  
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission letter to USDA Forest Service - July 8, 2007 [PDF, 87kb]
  
  
• Apache-Sitgreaves proceeds with forest plan revision – July 10, 2007
  - Click here to view June 2007 Revision Review

Overview of land use management and travel management revision process

The USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are revising land use management plans and travel management plans statewide. These plans include updated guidelines and rules on how public lands are to be managed (including what activities are permitted), and how and where motorized travel should occur.

The plans could potentially include proposed alternatives that change the way you currently enjoy public lands.

More information can be found on the USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (Arizona) Web sites.

FOREST SERVICE PLANNING EFFORTS

Southwest Regional Office
517 Gold Avenue
Albuquerque New Mexico 87102
(505) 842-3275
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/

Land Use Planning Rules and Background:

• View the 2005 Planning Rule (within the Federal Register)
• 1982 Planning Rule
• Notice of Intent 2007 Planning Rule EIS
• National Forest Management Act – 1976

Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final Rule

• OHV Program Management
• Motor Vehicle Route & Area Designation Guide
• Southwestern Region Travel Management website

Recent court ruling on 2005 Planning Rule

April 5, 2007

The United States District Court in northern California has ordered the Forest Service not to utilize the 2005 Planning Rule in on-going forest planning processes.

Currently, the Office of General Counsel is reviewing this matter and will provide legal advice to the agency on how to proceed with forest planning.

All public collaboration efforts specific to forest planning are postponed until further direction is available.

Links to forest plan revision, travel management, and contact information:

• Apache Sitgreaves National Forest
• Coronado National Forests
• Tonto National Forests
• Coconino National Forests
• Prescott National Forests
• Kaibab National Forests

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Arizona State Office
One North Central Avenue, Suite 800
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427
Phone: (602) 417-9200

1. BLM Arizona Home Page with Updated Plan Information
2. Planning – Current Efforts

• Arizona Strip Field Office
• Tucson Field Office
• Ironwood Forest NM
• San Pedro National Conservation Area
• Yuma Field Office
• Lower Sonoran Field Office
• Hassayampa Field Office
• Lake Havasu Field Office
• Safford Field Office
• Kingman Field Office