UPDATES

• 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

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