St. Joe Travel Plan for motorized use out for public review

PUBLIC LANDS — A proposed Travel Management Environmental Assessment that designates motorized travel routes for the St. Joe Ranger District has been updated and is available for public review and comment.

The Draft EA has been developed based on requirements of the 2005 Travel Management Rule. The rule requires each national forest to designate roads, trails, and areas that will be open to motorized travel, identify the type of wheeled motorized vehicles that are allowed to use these routes, and publish this information on a Motor Vehicle Use Map.

After the map is published cross-country wheeled motorized vehicle use will be prohibited.

Public participation in developing alternatives included meetings, comment periods and participation by the St. Joe Focus Group,” said St. Joe District Ranger Matt Davis.

Legislation and national policy have changed since the original St. Joe Travel Management EA was released in 2009. These changes required the St. Joe Ranger District to update the Travel Plan EA to reflect the updated directives. Although the changes do not require additional public review, Davis felt it important to ensure the public has the chance to review and comment on the updated Draft EA before he issues a draft decision notice.

Public comments will be used to help refine the analysis and to develop a draft decision. The 30-day comment period ends Sept. 8, 2015.

Information on the plan is available from the district St. Maries office, (208) 245-2531, or on the project website .