PUBLIC LANDS -- The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is calling for comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management, which is being released today. The forest will accept comment on the alternatives for 30 days.

The assessment is required under the 2005 Travel Management Rule requiring each national forest to designate roads, trails and areas open to motor vehicle use by vehicle class and time of year and close the rest of the forest to cross-country motorized use.

"Districts have noticed an increase over the past several years in the numbers of user-built trails occurring in places where they cause resource damage, either because they are on slopes or soils that cannot support that use or they impact threatened and endangered species habitat, like riparian vegetation or fish-bearing streams," forest officials say in a release.

“Motorized recreation and access is important," says Mike Williams, Forest supervisor, in a release. "The Preferred Alternative continues to provide access to motorized users on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest,” he added noting that Preferred Alternative “B” in the Draft EA looks specifically at adopting existing system of motorized roads and trails. "It provides for 1,640 miles of corridors where motorized access to dispersed camping would be allowed while closing the forest to cross-country travel to prevent resource damage.”

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, stakeholders and the public have been involved in the travel management process for nearly ten years.

The following Open Houses are planned, 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. to answer questions about the Draft Environmental Assessment and the process for commenting.

• June 20, Yakima Valley Museum in Yakima.
• June 22, Kittitas County Event Center in Ellensburg.
• June 23, Apple Annie's in Cashmere.
• June 24, Okanogan PUD in Okanogan/