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On January 28, 2015, the U.S. Forest Service (FS) released its final rule establishing a process that will determine where snowmobilers are allowed to ride on national forest public lands. The new regulation is a direct result of a decision by an Idaho federal judge in March 2013 ruling the 2005 Travel Management Rule violated certain Executive Orders by not mandating that land managers determine where and when over-the-snow-vehicle (i.e. snowmobile) use can occur on national forest lands. Essentially, the Judge ruled in favor of Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA) in their 2011 lawsuit against the FS, wherein WWA believed that snowmobiles should not be exempt from the 2005 Travel Management Rule, which dictated a designated route process for summer, motorized, rubber-tired recreation.
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Fortunately, particularly for the western rider, the FS does recognize the inherent differences between summer and winter motorized recreation and is not eliminating the opportunity for cross country snowmobile travel. However, it will take a major participation effort on the part of the snowmobile community to work through the new regulatory process to sustain our riding privileges on FS public lands. Here is a thumbnail sketch of the key requirements of the new Winter Travel Planning Rule:
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· The Rule is effective February 27, 2015.
· FS units or Districts that have completed snowmobile use designations under other authorities and including public involvement do not have to revisit those decisions, but they do have to develop a snowmobile use map.
· Other FS units or Districts do not have a predetermined deadline to fulfill implementation of the final Rule, but must act expeditiously.
· The Rule recognizes it may be appropriate to designate areas for cross-country snowmobile use, so the new rule exempts snowmobiles from the statement that in most cases an area will be much smaller than a Ranger District.
· The key framework of the Rule mandates that Responsible Officials must determine (where snowfall is adequate) by class of vehicle and time of year, where snowmobile use is allowed. This step must involve widespread public participation. Then, a map must be developed showing the trails, routes and areas where such use can occur (and, if applicable the class of vehicle and time of year).
· Until the snowmobile designation process is complete, existing snowmobile travel management policies, restrictions and orders remain in effect.
· Once the snowmobile designation process is complete (inclusive of map development) it will be unlawful to possess or operate a snowmobile outside of those designations. Certain administrative exemptions do apply.
· The Rule indicates the FS will develop standards for a snowmobile use map and make changes to its handbook on guidance for consistency in content and use of standard symbols for signs.
· You can view the entire Rule at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-01-28/pdf/2015-01573.pdf
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The Utah Snowmobile Association (USA) plans to actively participate in the implementation of the new Winter Travel Planning Rule where it is determined by the FS units that such Rule has not already previously been met. However, it will take the grass-roots participation of all riders to get involved in the areas they know best and that are important to their snowmobile experience.
<OAt this point, USA is not certain which National Forests (or specific Ranger Districts) within Utah will be required to undergo the lengthy planning process. Our radar screen will be watching over Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-LaSal, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Caribou-Targhee National Forests to see where the cards fall. We will do our very best to keep Utah riders informed of the process, but we need your help to make sure we do not miss an opportunity.
Our public lands volunteer, Curt Kennedy, would welcome any input and can be reached at ccklpk@gmail.com.
<O
Fortunately, particularly for the western rider, the FS does recognize the inherent differences between summer and winter motorized recreation and is not eliminating the opportunity for cross country snowmobile travel. However, it will take a major participation effort on the part of the snowmobile community to work through the new regulatory process to sustain our riding privileges on FS public lands. Here is a thumbnail sketch of the key requirements of the new Winter Travel Planning Rule:
<O
· The Rule is effective February 27, 2015.
· FS units or Districts that have completed snowmobile use designations under other authorities and including public involvement do not have to revisit those decisions, but they do have to develop a snowmobile use map.
· Other FS units or Districts do not have a predetermined deadline to fulfill implementation of the final Rule, but must act expeditiously.
· The Rule recognizes it may be appropriate to designate areas for cross-country snowmobile use, so the new rule exempts snowmobiles from the statement that in most cases an area will be much smaller than a Ranger District.
· The key framework of the Rule mandates that Responsible Officials must determine (where snowfall is adequate) by class of vehicle and time of year, where snowmobile use is allowed. This step must involve widespread public participation. Then, a map must be developed showing the trails, routes and areas where such use can occur (and, if applicable the class of vehicle and time of year).
· Until the snowmobile designation process is complete, existing snowmobile travel management policies, restrictions and orders remain in effect.
· Once the snowmobile designation process is complete (inclusive of map development) it will be unlawful to possess or operate a snowmobile outside of those designations. Certain administrative exemptions do apply.
· The Rule indicates the FS will develop standards for a snowmobile use map and make changes to its handbook on guidance for consistency in content and use of standard symbols for signs.
· You can view the entire Rule at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-01-28/pdf/2015-01573.pdf
<O
The Utah Snowmobile Association (USA) plans to actively participate in the implementation of the new Winter Travel Planning Rule where it is determined by the FS units that such Rule has not already previously been met. However, it will take the grass-roots participation of all riders to get involved in the areas they know best and that are important to their snowmobile experience.
<O
At this point, USA is not certain which National Forests (or specific Ranger Districts) within Utah will be required to undergo the lengthy planning process. Our radar screen will be watching over Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-LaSal, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Caribou-Targhee National Forests to see where the cards fall. We will do our very best to keep Utah riders informed of the process, but we need your help to make sure we do not miss an opportunity. Our public lands volunteer, Curt Kennedy, would welcome any input and can be reached at ccklpk@gmail.com.
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