Forest Service Travel Management Plan Announced
by Dan Nitzel, NOHVA President and Business Manager

The U.S. Forest Service announced their decision about travel management yesterday on April 13th.  A modified version of Alternative 2 was announced.  The modified alternative two offers 10 less miles of trails at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. 

While I am still in the process of reading all the documents, for ATV and dirtbike riders, it appears as if at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, 19 miles of ATV trails will remain open, down from 300 miles of trails that were open to all vehicles.  Of the open areas, only 18 acres will remain open, down from 90,000.  I will have more details in our next newsletter due to be mailed in the first few weeks of May.

The trails the Bessey Ranger District near Halsey, the remaining open trails are:

The Dismal River Trail (Trail 112)
The Power Line Trail (Trail 113)
The Poison Ivy Trail (Trail 114)
Fence Line Trail (Trail 115)
A short section of 214 located in the south part of the Forest
Trail 120
Trail 121
Trail 118
Trail 119
ATV and dirtbike access in the main campground, the Bessey Recreation Complex will continue for this year.  If there continues to be problems with rider ignoring the rules, the campground will be closed to ATV and dirtbike riders. 

Trails that were heavily used by ATV and dirtbike riders that are now closed are 201 and most of 214. 

To view a map of trails at Bessey, the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, CLICK HERE 
The trails that are black are ATV only trails, meaning they are open only to vehicles of 50" wide or less.  The trails in pink are open to all motorized vehicles.  The trails in green are closed to unlicensed vehicle INCLUDING ATVs and unlicensed dirtbikes. 

To view the Decision document, CLICK HERE

To view information about other lands managed by the Nebraska National Forest in Nebraska, CLICK HERE
 

This is a copy of the news release that I received today:

Forest Supervisor Jane Darnell announced the Record of Decision to implement a Travel Management Plan for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands today.  The plan changes how users access and recreate on the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

“This initial Travel Management Plan includes existing trails and roads,” said Darnell.  “There may be opportunities to further develop the travel management system for motorized users as need and funding allows.”

Some roads and trails will be closed, especially those that were user-created, to prevent damage to the land and cultural resources.  Users are encouraged to obtain the Motorized Vehicle User Maps, available for free at all forest and grasslands offices, prior to using trails and roads.  In some cases, motorized vehicle users may need to plan alternate routes.

“This new plan meets requirements established by the national Travel Management Rule,” said Darnell.  “My decision will not meet everyone’s expectations, but it is an important step toward protecting natural resources, while providing motorized and non-motorized recreational experiences.  The transition to our Travel Management Plan will be much smoother if users understand the changes and respect the established routes, trails and routes.”

Extensive public input was gathered throughout the travel planning process and the Record of Decision provides a balance for the type, extent, and uses of all modes of travel.  The new Travel Management Plan will be enforced.

A variety of information and maps, known as Motorized Vehicle User Maps, will be available at no charge at Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands offices and will also be available at:  www.fs.usda.gov/nebraska.  The Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement is also at this website address.

END