Appendix B. Travel Management Rule Consistency. St. Joe Travel Management EA. Draft Decision Notice

Transcription

1 Appendix B St. Joe Travel Management EA Draft Decision Notice Travel Management Rule Consistency January 2016

2 St. Joe Travel Management CONSISTENCY WITH TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RULE & EXECUTIVE ORDERS & USDA Forest Service 36 CFR Parts 212, 251, 261, and 295 Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final Rule, November 9, 2005 Subpart B Designation of Roads, Trails, and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use Purpose, scope and definitions. (a) Purpose. This subpart provides for a system of National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands that are designated for motor vehicle use. After these roads, trails, and areas are designated, motor vehicle use, including the class of vehicle and time of year, not in accordance with these designations is prohibited by 36 CFR Motor vehicle use off designated roads and trails and outside designated areas is prohibited by 36 CFR The St. Joe Travel Management Environmental Assessment (EA) is consistent with the purpose of Section (EA pp. 2, 3, 8). The St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) is proposing to designate roads and trails for public motorized use by type of vehicle and time of year. Motorized use would only be allowed on designated routes, and cross-country motorized travel would be prohibited. (b) The responsible official may incorporate previous administrative decisions regarding travel management made under other authorities, including designations and prohibitions of motor vehicle use. The St. Joe Travel Management action alternatives incorporate previous administrative decisions regarding travel management. See discussion of sideboards in the EA Designation of roads, trails, and areas. (a) General. Motor vehicle use on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands shall be designated by vehicle class and, if appropriate, by time of year by the responsible official on administrative units or Ranger Districts of the NFS, provided that the following vehicles and uses are exempted from these designations: (1) Aircraft; (2) Watercraft; (3) Over-snow vehicles; (4) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; (5) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; (6) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; (7) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; and (8) Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations. 1

3 These vehicles and uses are exempt from the designations in the action alternatives, so these uses would remain the same with any of the alternatives (EA Decision Space pg. 8). (b) Motor vehicle use for dispersed camping or big game retrieval. In designating routes, the responsible official may include in the designation the limited use of motor vehicles within a specified distance of certain forest roads or trails where motor vehicle use is allowed, and if appropriate within specified time periods, solely for the purposes of dispersed camping or retrieval of a downed big game animal by an individual who has legally taken that animal. All action alternatives described in the St. Joe Travel Management EA include the limited use of motor vehicles within 300 feet of designated roads and 100 feet of designated trails for the purpose of getting to dispersed sites (EA pg. 27). Motorized game retrieval off designated roads and trails is not considered and would not be allowed with any of the action alternatives (EA pg. 10 and PF: PI-12A Public Interaction and Collaboration Plan) Public involvement. (a) General. The public shall be allowed to participate in the designation and of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands and revising those designations... The St. Joe Ranger District used extensive public involvement when developing the proposed action, identifying issues, and developing alternatives to the proposed action. See EA pg. 14 and EA Appendix D Coordination with federal, state, county, and other local governmental entities and tribal governments. The responsible official shall coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, county, and other local governmental entities and tribal governments when designating NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands The District Ranger of the St. Joe Ranger District, who is the responsible official for this project, coordinated with appropriate federal, state, county entities and tribal governments. All information that went to the public also went to the County Commissioners for Benewah and Shoshone Counties. During the fall and winter of , Chuck Mark discussed the project with Shoshone County Commissioners and Benewah County Commissioners (PF: PI-12A). An interdisciplinary team member discussed the travel management plan with an individual who came to the St. Joe Ranger District office on behalf of Benewah County in September 2009 (PF: PI-177). On March 13, 2008, Chuck Mark convened a meeting with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), and Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) (EA pg. 15 and PF: PI-77). Other agencies were invited to the meeting (PF: PI-83). Chuck Mark met with representatives of the Coeur d Alene Tribe on March 18, 2008 and asked them to become involved in the travel management planning on the St. Joe ranger District (PF: PI-78). He met with them again on April 9, 2009 (PF: PI-149). Other District Rangers met with representatives of the Coeur d Alene Tribe in subsequent years to discuss the St. Joe travel management plan (PF: PI-202, PI-220, PI-221, PI-222). On October 30, 2008 the proposed action was sent to Shoshone County Commissioners, Benewah County Commissioners, Lakes Highway District, Clearwater County Commissioners, Clearwater County Sheriff, the Coeur d Alene Tribe, the Nez Perce Tribe, Governor Butch Otter of Idaho, Idaho State Senator Joyce Broadsword, Idaho Representative Marge Chadderon, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), Idaho Department of Fish and Game IDFG), Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Idaho Representative Dick Harwood, Idaho Representative Bill Sali, US Senator Larry Craig, USDA Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS), Lolo National Forest (NF), Lochsa Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater NF, 2

4 Coeur d Alene River Ranger District of the IPNF, Palouse Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater NF, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bonneville Power Administration, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (PF: PI-122, PI-123). In 2012 District Ranger Wade Sims met with the Benewah County Natural Resource Committee to discuss the St. Joe Travel Management Plan (PF: PI-224). The Idaho Roadless Commission was briefed about the project on May 16, 2014 (PF: REC-38). Current District Ranger, Matthew Davis, met with Shoshone County and Benewah County and their natural resource committee members on three separate occasions in 2015 to discuss road access and motorized roads and trails. He shared maps and progress updates. See EA Appendix D and PF: PI-240. Shoshone County has adopted the Benewah County Natural Resource Plan, and discussions of recreation and access from this plan (PF: PD-111) were considered. Although the County Natural Resource Plans state that the counties would like to have most roads open for motorized vehicles, management of the national forests is guided by the forest plan and other laws and regulations. Motorized access is managed to protect resources and provide a range of opportunities for the public. The alternatives were developed with a focus on providing quality motorized routes, rather than attainment of the most miles. See Alternative Development in the EA. The majority of the St. Joe Ranger District is within Shoshone County. About 3% of the St. Joe Ranger District falls within Benewah County, (approximately 22,000 acres of the 724,000-acre St. Joe Ranger District [PF: PD-112]); however, it is recognized that many Benewah County residents utilize roads and trails available in Shoshone County for forest access and recreational purposes Revision of designations Designations of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands may be revised as needed to meet changing conditions. Revisions of designations shall be made in accordance with the requirements for public involvement in , the requirements for coordination with governmental entities in , and the criteria in , and shall be reflected on a motor vehicle use map pursuant to For this project, monitoring would be used to identify unforeseen environmental impacts, changes in public demand, or other changed conditions, which may lead the Responsible Official to consider revising designations (EA pg. 29). Future management decisions may also require changes in designations. Future decisions would be made following requirements for public involvement and coordination with governmental entities, and would be reflected on the motor vehicle use map Criteria for designation of roads, trails, and areas. (a) General criteria for designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands. In designating NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for motor vehicle use, the responsible official shall consider effects on NFS natural and cultural resources, public safety, provision of recreational opportunities, access needs, conflicts among uses of NFS lands, the need for maintenance and administration of roads, trails, and areas that would arise if the uses under consideration are designated; and the availability of resources for that maintenance and administration. This environmental assessment addresses the following natural resources: aquatics (including water, soils [EA pg. 94], and fisheries [EA pg. 113]); rare plants (EA pg. 135); recreation (EA pg. 48); Idaho Roadless Areas (EA pg. 172); and wildlife (EA pg. 142). The EA also addresses cultural resources (EA pg. 186). Public safety is addressed in the discussion of recreation and was considered during development of the alternatives (PF: PD-26 through PD- 34). For safety efforts were made to designate roads for OHV 50 use off of busy routes (PF: PD-59). Usercreated routes would not be designated for motorized use since they are illegally constructed and in some cases 3

5 because they present unsafe riding conditions (PF: PD-59). Designating routes for motorized use could lead to safer conditions on motorized routes because people will have the ability to know the types of vehicles they may encounter on any given route. The provision for recreation opportunities is discussed throughout the Recreation section in the EA (EA pg. 48) and was considered during the development of alternatives. Furthermore, needs for access to other lands, developed recreation sites, and trail heads were also considered during alternative development. All of the action alternatives would designate existing main access routes for full-size vehicles (EA pg. 27). Conflicts among uses of NFS lands are discussed in the EA under Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study (EA pg. 20), Recreation (EA pg. 59), and in the project file (PF: PD-59). Trail and road maintenance is discussed in the EA on page 86, and the administrative use of motorcycles to maintain specific non-motorized trails, is included as part of Alternative C (EA pg. 37) and Alternative D (EA pg. 40). (b) Specific Criteria for Designation of Trails and Areas. The responsible official shall consider effects on the following, with the objective of minimizing: (1) Damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, and other forest resources; The purpose of the project is to designate public motorized access routes, which minimize damage to resources (EA pg. 7). The sideboards (EA pg. 10) and design features (pg. 29) were developed, in part, to minimize damage. Minimizing resource damage was considered during alternative development (EA pg. 12, Appendix B [Trails], and PF: PD-26 through PD-34, PD-60). Resource concerns are considered to minimize effects to vegetation, wildlife, water quality, soils, and fisheries while still providing a good mix of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities. New construction, major reconstruction, and user-created trails are not considered in this designation. Motorized game retrieval off designated routes would not be allowed with any of the action alternatives. Motorized access would be decreased in some areas to maintain elk security. Seasonal designations would be used to minimize effects to wildlife security areas (EA pp. 13 and 19). In order to minimize effects to wildlife some trails would not be designated for motorized use. Proximity of routes to streams, and stream and river crossings, as well as stream edge degradation, and protection of riparian areas and meadows were considered to minimize damage to vegetation, water, and fish habitat during identification of motorized routes. Motorized use on trails with stream crossings in bull trout-occupied streams was minimized. Proposed motorized crossings are in locations that do not have bull trout spawning and rearing habitat. Recreational riding in meadows or open areas would not be allowed. Overall, damage to soil, watersheds, vegetation, and other forest resources would be reduced with the action alternatives because public motorized access would be reduced on trails and roads, and motorized cross-country travel would be prohibited except in limited areas for the purpose of dispersed camping. See the discussions for soils and watersheds, (EA pg. 94), noxious weeds (EA pg. 130), rare plants, (EA pg. 135), and wildlife (EA pg. 142). (2) Harassment of wildlife and significant disruption of wildlife habitats; Idaho State law prohibits the use of any motorized vehicle to molest, stir up, rally, or drive any game animal or game bird (Idaho Department of Fish and Game Big Game Regulations 2015 pg. 95). The action alternatives would reduce motorized access; therefore, the alternatives would reduce opportunities to use motorized vehicles for the illegal harassment of wildlife. The EA wildlife analysis does not speak directly to harassment of wildlife, but it indirectly addresses the potential for wildlife harassment by considering elk security, mortality risk, habitat avoidance and displacement, and disruption of wildlife linkage/movement. Disruption of wildlife habitats was considered during alternative development (EA pg. 12, Appendix B [Trails], and PF: PD-26 through PD-34, PD-60) and is addressed in the wildlife analysis that considers mortality risk, habitat avoidance and displacement, and disruption of wildlife linkage/movement. Alternatives were developed to maintain wildlife security areas (EA pg. 13). 4

6 Prohibition of cross-country travel by off-road vehicles and the use of seasonal designations reduce the potential for harassment of aquatic species and reduce disruption of aquatic habitat (EA pg. 131). (3) Conflicts between motor vehicle use and existing or proposed recreational uses of NFS lands or neighboring federal lands, and; The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable system of designated public motor vehicle access routes within the St. Joe Ranger District, which also minimizes conflicts between motor vehicle use and existing or proposed recreational uses (EA pg. 7). Adjoining ownership compatibility is discussed for each recreation analysis area. Conflicts among uses of NFS lands are discussed in the EA under Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study (EA pg. 22), Recreation (EA pg. 59), and the project file (PF: PD-59). Routes would be designated on NFS lands and on other lands where the Forest Service has agreements cooperators (e.g. Idaho Department of Lands, Potlatch Corporation, Bureau of Land Management, Molpus, and Hancock). Routes on other lands were identified for designation in cooperation with other land owners for consistent management, or to provide access to proposed national forest designated routes (EA pg. 3). The St. Joe Ranger District met with adjacent landowners during project development (EA pg. 14 and PF: PI-77). In March 2009, the St. Joe Ranger District met with adjacent land managers from Potlatch Corporation, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), and Forest Capital to ensure coordination of travel management on adjacent ownership lands and shared roads (PF: PD-45, PD-47, PD-49, PD-50). Alternative B did not designate any OHV 50 routes on mixed ownership lands, but we received suggestions from the public to designate OHV 50 routes in several areas. Those routes are incorporated in Alternatives C and D where they would meet resource objectives, are consistent with the management of the adjacent lands, provide access to motorized routes on NFS lands, and the Forest Service has jurisdiction based on agreements with the other land owners. Other specific routes were also suggested; those that would meet resource objectives, fall within the sideboards, are physically feasible, and are compatible with adjacent land management were incorporated in Alternatives C and D. See discussion about public suggestions that were incorporated in the action alternatives (EA pg. 16). (4) Conflicts among different classes of motor vehicle uses of NFS lands or neighboring federal lands. The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable system of designated public motor vehicle access routes within the St. Joe Ranger District, which also minimizes conflicts between motor vehicle use and existing or proposed recreational uses (EA pg. 20). Adjoining ownership compatibility is discussed for each recreation analysis area. Conflicts among uses of NFS lands are discussed in the EA under Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study (EA pg. 22), Recreation (EA pg. 59), and the project file (PF: PD-59). The St. Joe Ranger District receives few reports about user conflicts. The district includes about 725,000 acres, has over 1,600 miles of roads available for motorized use, and has approximately 670 miles of trails providing a mix of motorized and non-motorized opportunities. There are vast areas for both non-motorized and motorized experiences. With the action alternatives, non-motorized trail opportunities would be emphasized in the Upper Joe region, while more motorized opportunities would be prevalent in the lower St. Joe area. Conflict on Copper Ridge Trail 263, reported by the public, would be minimized because the trail would not be designated for motorized use in any alternative. Due to the steep rugged topography - along with ridges and draws separating areas, dense vegetation, and relatively low use on some of the motorized trails - people can often find quiet places to hike and ride stock in areas with designated motorized use trails. Generally, trail use on the St. Joe Ranger District is light compared to other districts and areas because it is relatively remote. The 2004 National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) report shows that the perception of crowding by IPNF visitors is low (PF: REC-8 pg. 20). In the General Forest Area, 73% of people surveyed rated crowding between 1and 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being defined as hardly any one there ; firsthand knowledge by St. Joe Ranger District staff confirms this rating. 5

7 There would also be vast areas for people desiring non-motorized experiences (over 120,000 contiguous acres including the Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area, the St. Joe Ranger District recommended wilderness, and the adjacent proposed wilderness on the Clearwater National Forest). The MVUM would be the means for the public to know where they might encounter motorized traffic in a given area or on a given route; therefore, people could plan to avoid those routes if they were seeking a non-motorized experience. (5) Compatibility of motor vehicle use with existing conditions in populated areas, taking into account sound, emissions, and other factors. The largest population areas adjacent to NFS lands on the St. Joe Ranger District are Avery, Calder, Marble Creek, Emida, and Clarkia. These are relatively small communities with low populations and long traditions of motorized use in and around them. Forest Highway 50 runs through the heart of the town of Avery, and is also located across the St. Joe River from Calder and the Marble Creek community. At Emida, State Highway 6, a paved two-lane road, bisects the town and a graveled primary forest road (Road 299) provides access to privately owned land before entering the national forest. Clarkia is situated next to State Highway 3, a paved two-lane road, and two primary forest roads (gravel) (Road 301 and Road 321) provide access from the community to privately owned land before entering the national forest. Motorized access through and near these communities would not change with any of the alternatives. The sound of motor vehicles is compatible with the culture of these communities. Recreational vehicles and log trucks have traveled through these communities for decades and are part of the local culture. In general, the air quality in these areas is excellent except when fires are burning in surrounding areas and atmospheric conditions allow smoke to accumulate. Motor vehicle emissions are so minimal they are rarely, if ever, noticed (PF: AQ-1). (c) Specific Criteria for Designation of Roads. the responsible official shall consider: (1) Speed, volume, composition, and distribution of traffic on roads; and Speed, volume, composition, and distribution of traffic on roads were considered during the development of alternatives. Existing main access routes will be designated for full-size vehicles to provide access to other lands, developed recreation sites, and trailheads (EA pg. 27). The alternatives provide some roads for OHV < 50 use with no full-size traffic allowed. This designation would provide routes for OHV < 50 riders where they would not have to worry about encountering full-size traffic and would provide more opportunities for family riding experiences. Some roads that provide access for high-clearance vehicles also provide good OHV < 50 access, away from the higher use areas. Although full-size vehicles would be allowed on these roads they provide a more remote riding experience, and the traffic is considerably slower. The busier routes that are suitable for passenger cars generally have higher speeds, more traffic, and the chance of encountering log trucks. See EA pg. 12 Alternative Development. (2) Compatibility of vehicle class with road geometry and road surfacing. OHV riding has become a family sport and is becoming more popular on the St. Joe Ranger District, so the Forest Service utilized existing roads to create most of the OHV < 50 routes. Some of these are wide roads with gradual grades and few obstacles, which provide an easier, more family-oriented experience. To provide more challenging experiences, the Forest Service identified older roads that have narrowed and have been converted to trails, but still have the width required for OHV < 50 use. See EA pg. 12 Alternative Development. (d) Rights of Access. In making designations the responsible official shall recognize: (1) Valid existing rights; and 6

8 The Forest Service road system is used for management activities that do not fall within the scope of this project, since they do not involve public motorized access. Those activities include, but are not limited to, access to privately owned land (EA pg. 19 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study). Routes would be designated on NFS lands and on adjacent lands where the Forest Service has agreements with the landowners. For consistent management, or to provide access to designated routes proposed by the Forest Service, routes on adjacent lands were identified for designation with local cooperators (EA pg. 16). Roads on lands where the Forest Service does not have jurisdiction would not be designated for public motorized use (EA pg. 38). (2) The rights of use of NFS roads and NFS trails under 212.6(b). Existing main access routes would be designated for full-size vehicles; providing access to adjacent lands, developed recreation sites, and trailheads (EA pg. 27). (e) Wilderness areas and primitive areas. NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands in wilderness areas or primitive areas shall not be designated for motor vehicle use, unless, in the case of wilderness areas, motor vehicle use is authorized by the applicable enabling legislation for those areas. The St. Joe Ranger District has no designated wilderness areas; however, it does have Forest Plan recommended wilderness (MA1b), and the Grandmother Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (MA1c). The Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area includes a Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) primitive area (PF: REC-23), where all access is non-motorized and motorized access would not be designated with any of the action alternatives. No motorized designations are proposed in recommended wilderness. The Grandmother Mountain WSA (6,900 acres) was acquired from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of two separate land exchanges. The initial 5,200 acres was acquired as part of the Arkansas-Idaho Land Exchange Act of 1992 (Public Law ). The second parcel totaled 1,700 acres and was acquired as part of the Idaho Land Enhancement Act of 2006 (Public Law ). At the time these laws were enacted, and the lands exchanged, the BLM was managing both parcels as part of the Grandmother Mountain WSA established under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782). Both the Arkansas-Idaho Land Exchange Act (1992) and the Idaho Land Enhancement Act (2006) require that this area be administered to retain the existing wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Existing uses that were in place prior to acquisition by the Forest Service shall continue to be allowed; including single track motorized (STM) use. Therefore, five trails on the St. Joe Ranger District portion of the WSA are currently designated for STM use (PF: REC-14), and would be designated for STM use in all action alternatives (Sideboards EA pg. 10 and 2015 Forest Plan: MA1c-DC-AR-01, MA1c-STD-AR-02) Identification of designated roads, trails, and areas. Designated roads, trails, and areas shall be identified on a motor vehicle use map. Motor vehicle use maps shall be made available to the public at the headquarters of corresponding administrative units and Ranger Districts of the NFS and, as soon as practicable, on the website of corresponding administrative units and Ranger Districts. The motor vehicle use maps shall specify the classes of vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of year for which use is designated. The St. Joe Travel Management EA states that MVUMs will be free to the public and available printed on paper and via the internet (EA pg. 2). Paper copies will be available at IPNF offices and electronic copies will be available on the IPNF website. Electronic versions will also be provided to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for posting on their website. Paper copies will be distributed to local businesses and chambers of commerce (EA pg. 2). 7

9 Monitoring of effects of motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails and in designated areas. For each administrative unit of the NFS, the responsible official shall monitor the effects of motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails and in designated areas under the jurisdiction of that responsible official, consistent with the applicable land management plan, as appropriate and feasible. For this project, monitoring would be used to identify environmental impacts, changes in public demand, or other changed conditions that may lead the Responsible Official to consider revising designations (EA pg. 29). Monitoring is included as a feature of all action alternatives (EA pp ). Executive Order Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands (1972) as Amended by Executive Order (1977) Most of the executive orders apply to developing regulations. The project- or site-specific requirements of Executive Order are discussed below. Section 1: The purpose of the executive orders were: to establish policies and provide for procedures that will ensure that the use of off-road vehicles on public lands will be controlled and directed so as to protect the resources of those lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands. These purposes are covered by the Travel Management Rule. Their relationship to the St. Joe Travel Management EA is discussed above under the Travel Management Rule. Section 2: Includes definitions for public lands, respective agency head, off-road vehicle, and official use. Nothing in these definitions is inconsistent with The Travel Management Rule or the St. Joe Travel Management EA. Section 3: Zones of use. (b) The respective agency head shall ensure adequate opportunity for public participation in the promulgation of such regulations and in the designation of areas and trails under this section. An extensive public participation process was used for the St. Joe Travel Management EA, and the public was given the opportunity to participate in the project development and analysis process before and during the analysis for the St. Joe Travel Management EA (EA pg. 14). (c) The limitations on off-road vehicle use imposed under this section shall not apply to official use. The Travel Management Rule clearly states that administrative use is exempt from the rule. The St. Joe Travel Management EA specifies that the scope of the project is to designate routes for public motorized use. It does not pertain to administrative uses and does not supersede access allowed by permit or other authorities (EA pg. XX). Section 5: Public Information. The respective agency head shall ensure that areas and trails where off-road vehicle use is permitted are well marked and shall provide for the publication and distribution of information, including maps, describing such areas and trails and explaining the conditions on vehicle use. He shall seek cooperation of relevant State agencies in the dissemination of this information. 8

10 The motor vehicle use map (MVUM) will be free to the public and available in print form and via the internet. Electronic versions will be provided to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for posting on their website, and paper copies will be distributed to local businesses and chambers of commerce. The MVUM will only show the roads, trails, and areas on NFS lands designated for motorized use, and the main routes used to access the designated routes. It will be the principle enforcement tool for motor vehicle regulations (EA pg. 31). In 2014, the St. Joe Ranger District began an intensive effort to mark routes on the ground. Section 6: Enforcement. The respective agency head may enter into agreements with State or local governmental agencies for cooperative enforcement of laws and regulations relating to off-road vehicle use. The Forest Service maintains cooperative relationships with state and county law enforcement agencies, which provide mutual support across jurisdictional boundaries (EA pg. 32). Section 8: Monitoring of Effects and Review. (a) The respective agency head shall monitor the effects of the use of off-road vehicles on lands under their jurisdictions. On the basis of the information gathered, they shall from time to time amend or rescind designations of areas or other actions taken pursuant to this order as necessary to further the policy of this order. For the St. Joe Travel Management EA, monitoring would be used to identify unforeseen environmental impacts, changes in public demand, or other changed conditions, which may lead the responsible official to consider revising designations (EA pg. 29). Section 9: Special Protection of the Public Lands. (a) the respective agency head shall, whenever he determines that the use of off-road vehicles will cause or is causing considerable adverse effects on the soil, vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat or cultural or historic resources of particular areas or trails of the public lands, immediately close such areas or trails to the type of off-road vehicle causing such effects, until such time as he determines that such adverse effects have been eliminated and that measures have been implemented to prevent future recurrence. The St. Joe Travel Management EA incorporates this direction. When a decision is made, it will remain in effect unless something warrants a reconsideration of the decision (e.g., changing conditions, new information, etc.) (EA pg. 10). Monitoring would be used across the district to identify unforeseen environmental impacts, changes in public demand, or other changed conditions which may lead the responsible official to consider revising designations. Specific monitoring would be conducted (EA pg. 30). (b) Each agency is authorized to adopt the policy that portions of the public lands within his jurisdiction shall be closed to use by off-road vehicles except those areas or trails which are suitable and specifically designated as open to such use That is what the St. Joe Travel Management EA proposes (EA pg. 3). The St. Joe Ranger District of the IPNF is proposing to designate roads and trails for public motorized use by type of vehicle and time of year. Motorized use will only be allowed on designated routes and cross-country motorized travel will be prohibited. This action is needed to comply with the Travel Management Rule, which requires each national forest to designate roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, time of year, and to prohibit cross-country motorized use (EA pg. 2). The current travel management of roads and trails on the St. Joe Ranger District does not meet the intent of the Travel Management Rule in two ways: (1) all routes and areas are open to motorized use unless designated otherwise, and (2) cross-country motorized travel is allowed as long as resource damage does not occur. The three action alternatives have many things in common, including designation of motorized routes and prohibition of cross-country travel except as described for motorized access to dispersed sites (EA pg. 27) 9