scoping notice: proposed changes to transportation management

1

File Code: 1950/7700 Date: February 13, 2012

SCOPING NOTICE PROPOSED CHANGES TO MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, DOUGLAS RANGER DISTRICT

Dear Friends and Neighbors of the Coronado National Forest:

I am writing today to make you aware of proposed changes to the motorized transportation

system on the Douglas Ranger District (District) in Cochise County, Arizona (see enclosed map,

Figure 1). The system that is currently in place was originally established following direction in

standards and guidelines prescribed in the Coronado National Forest Land and Resource

Management Plan (Forest Plan; 1986, as amended).

We are about to begin a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of the proposal. The

first step of the process is “scoping”, during which we ask the public to help us identify issues,

concerns and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Information on how you can

comment on this proposal or obtain further information is provided at the end of this notice.

I want to emphasize that this specific NEPA review will focus only on proposed changes to the

transportation system that is already in place on the District. It will not disclose the impacts of

past, present, or future actions related to all roads that comprise the current system. Instead, the

NEPA impacts analysis will evaluate potential effects from proposed changes to specific roads

listed in Table 2 below at the end of this notice. The overall net increase in miles of roads on the

District, if the proposed action is approved, would be 4.66 miles. This is roughly equivalent to a

1 percent increase in current total miles on the District. Motor vehicle use off the designated

system would be prohibited, except as identified on a revised Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

Additional details about the changes are provided below.

The proposed changes on the District are responsive to the findings reported in a Transportation

Analysis Plan1 (TAP; April 4, 2011), which documents the adequacy of the current District

motorized transportation system to meet Forest administrative and user needs and the need for

new or enhanced protection of natural resources and cultural resources. Any changes will comply

with the requirements of Subpart B of 36 CFR 212, Travel Management, regarding the

designation of roads, trails and areas for motor vehicle use on National Forests and Grasslands.

1 The Transportation Analysis Plan is an integrated approach to transportation planning that evaluates both

authorized open National Forest System Roads (NFSR) as well as unauthorized roads. The TAP is not a NEPA

document; it is intended to complement or support, rather than replace or preempt NEPA reviews and decisions. The

Douglas TAP is available at the District Office.

2

Types of changes that may be made to a Forest or Grassland transportation system include the

following:

(1) Adding specific unauthorized roads2 to the National Forest System (NFS) roads database

(INFRA), thereby, legitimizing their use as part of the District motorized transportation

system;

(2) Removing specific NFS roads from INFRA (i.e., decommissioning) as identified in the

TAP;

(3) Closing or otherwise decommissioning unauthorized roads by the use of signing, physical

barriers and other methods that deny access for motorized use;

(4) Revising designated uses, seasonal closures, and/or maintenance levels (MLs) assigned to

NFS roads (e.g., from “open to the public” to “restricted to administrative or permitted use

only”);

(5) Adding or removing motorized and non-motorized trails; and/or

(6) Designating roads or removing corridors where motorized travel would be allowed within

300 feet of certain designated routes for the sole purpose of dispersed camping.

The following sections provide you with information about transportation management on the

Forest and District; Travel Management legislation; the project location; Forest Plan

transportation management direction; and details of the proposed action.

BACKGROUND

Travel Management Rule

Visitors to National Forests and Grasslands share a common interest in the enjoyment of outdoor

recreation in a natural setting. The Forest Service currently manages more than 300,000 miles of

roads and 35,000 miles of trails nationwide to provide visitors with motorized access to

recreational amenities, motorized access to those who use NFS lands under special

authorizations, such as grazing or operation and maintenance of communication sites; and

administrative access to agencies for fire and land management activities.

Until recently, accessibility to National Forests and Grasslands and their amenities was the

primary reason for motor vehicle use. However, in the past few decades, recreational use of off-

highway vehicles (OHVs) has become another popular reason for motorized travel on NFS lands.

In 2004, more than 11 million people used OHVs on National Forests and Grasslands3, more

than double their estimated use in 1972.

Given the dramatic increase in OHV use on Federal lands, it is obvious that there is a need to

protect natural resources from damage by motorized vehicles. Forest Service motorized travel

regulations issued before the increase in OHV use and advances in OHV technology no longer

offer effective controls. To address outdated guidelines, in 2005 the Forest Service published

2 An unauthorized road, as defined in 36 CFR 212, is “a road that is not a Forest road or a temporary road and that is

not included in a Forest transportation atlas”. These are not designated NFSRs and are not maintained. Motor

vehicle operators on these roads and trails are subject to citation.

3 http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_use.pdf

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final travel management regulations (Travel Management Rule or TMR; Federal Register Vol.

70, No. 216; Nov. 9, 2005, pages 68264 through 68291).

The TMR clarifies current Forest Service policy regarding motor-vehicle use and provides

management direction that allows sustainable access by motor vehicles, including OHVs, on

National Forests and Grasslands. It requires that each National Forest and Grassland designate

roads, trails, and areas that are open to public motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and, if

appropriate, by time of year. It prohibits the use of motor vehicles on NFS lands not designated

for motorized travel. The TMR requires that motorized transportation systems on National

Forests and Grasslands be documented in a MVUM that is made available to the public free of

charge and updated annually.

Until the TMR was enacted, cross-country (i.e., off-road) motorized travel was permitted on

many National Forests. However, cross-country motorized travel has been restricted on the

Coronado since 1986 by direction in the Forest Plan. One exception is the Forest Plan provides

for off-road vehicle travel up to 300 feet on both sides of designated roads for the purpose of

parking or dispersed camping. Despite this restriction, past and continuing motor vehicle use off

of designated roads in some areas of the Coronado has resulted in significant resource damage

and created many unauthorized roads. The TMR prohibits continued use of unauthorized roads

unless they are proposed to be added to the NFS roads database.

Some Forest Service units, such as the Coronado, had an established motorized transportation

system prior to enactment of the TMR. These units are not required by the TMR to change their

existing system. Furthermore, previous travel management decisions are considered in the TMR

as having been incorporated into each designated system without additional or retroactive

transportation analysis and NEPA review.

Because the Douglas District already had a motorized transportation system in place before the

TMR was codified, a NEPA review of the original system was not required prior to our first

MVUM being issued in May 2011. However, when the District proposes to add or remove NFS

roads to/from its motorized transportation system, change use designations, and other related

travel management actions decisions that will affect the content of the MVUM, a NEPA

compliance review must be completed (36 CFR Subpart B §212.52).

PROJECT LOCATION

The Douglas Ranger District is located in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

Nearby communities include Douglas and Bisbee in southern Sulphur Springs Valley; Wilcox,

Sunsites, Pearce, Bowie and San Simon to the north; Rodeo, Portal and Animas, New Mexico,

on the northeast end; and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, to the south. The District covers

approximately 433,692 acres in three Forest Ecosystem Management Areas (EMAs)4 in the

Chiricahua, Peloncillo, and Dragoon Mountains (see Figure 1). This acreage does not include

lands within the District boundary that are private or managed by other agencies.

4 An EMA is defined as a unique geographic area among the mountain ranges that comprise the Coronado. The

Forest Plan has designated specific uses, goals and objectives for management of each EMA and standards and

guidelines for conserving resources within each. This approach to natural resource management is intended to

sustain ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs in the future.

http://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/def/ecosystem.htm

4

FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Douglas motorized transportation system currently depicted on an MVUM on file at the District office illustrates the established system as it has evolved over the past 25 years, in accordance with direction provided in the 1986 Coronado Forest Plan. It includes the following classifications:

Roads Open to Highway-Legal Vehicles Only: These are roads open only to motor vehicles licensed under state law for general operation on all public roads.

Roads Open to All Vehicles: These roads are open to all motor vehicles; including smaller off-highway vehicles that may not be licensed for highway use (but not to oversized or overweight vehicles under state traffic law).

Seasonal Designations: These apply to roads or trails that are open only during certain months of the year.

Dispersed Camping: Cross-country (off-road) motor vehicle travel is allowed within a specific distance from a road for the sole purpose of dispersed camping.

The Coronado Forest Plan was amended in August 2010 to incorporate TMR direction

prohibiting motorized vehicle use off the Forest’s designated motorized transportation system.

Amendment direction is as follows:

Motor vehicle use off the designated system of roads, trails, and areas is prohibited, except as

identified on a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

If a decision is made to approve all or part of the proposed action described below, the MVUM

will be updated to reflect the resulting designated system of roads and trails available for

motorized use.

As directed in the TMR, motor vehicle use in areas off the system depicted on the MVUM is prohibited, with exemptions for the following vehicles and/or uses: 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.

It is important to note that the TMR allows that “the responsible official may incorporate

previous administrative decisions regarding travel management made under other authorities,

including designations and prohibitions related to motor vehicle use, in designating NFS roads

and trails” [36 CFR 212.50 (b)]. This means that all roads, trails, and areas that have been

designated in the past for motor vehicle use do not have to be reevaluated in the current review

of the proposed action described in this notice. Consequently, our pending NEPA review

addresses only those proposed changes to the motorized transportation system that are needed to

accommodate administrative and user needs, including resource protection, not any past actions

regarding motorized travel.

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PROPOSED ACTION

Elements of the proposed action are summarized in Table 1, and proposed changes, by individual

road, are listed in Table 2, both of which are enclosed at the end of this notice. A glossary of

terms used in the tables is also provided. Maps showing the proposed changes are available for

public review at the District Office, at the Forest Supervisor’s Office (300 West Congress Street

in Tucson), and on the Forest’s public website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado.

The future motorized transportation system on the Douglas Ranger District would incorporate

the following proposed changes, which would be reflected on the next published MVUM:

1. Add 32.01 miles of unauthorized roads (i.e., non-NFSRs) to INFRA and designate them

as “open to all vehicles”. In general, these roads are needed to provide access for hunting,

camping, hiking, OHV travel and other public uses. An NFSR identification number would

be assigned to each newly designated road, and they would be classified as ML 2 roads5.

2. Change the INFRA designation of 1.40 miles of NFSRs currently “open to all vehicles”

to “restricted to administrative and permitted use only”.

3. Add 2.56 miles of unauthorized roads to INFRA and designate as “restricted to

administrative and permitted use only”.

4. Decommission 25.53 miles of NFSRs that are currently “open to all vehicles (ML 2

through ML 5)”. Motorized access would be physically blocked (e.g., placing bollards,

boulders, berms) and, if necessary, the road prism(s) would be restored to natural conditions

to impede motorized use. Their identification numbers would be removed from the NFSR

database.

5. Change the INFRA designation of 17.26 miles of NFSRs from “open to all vehicles

(ML 2 through ML 5)” to “closed to all motor vehicles (ML 1)”.

6. Change the INFRA designation of 0.71 miles of NFSRs from “closed to all vehicles

(ML 1)” to “open to all motor vehicles (ML 2)”.

7. Add 1.86 miles of unauthorized roads to INFRA as “NFS non-motorized trails”.

8. Add 3.14 miles of unauthorized roads to INFRA as “closed to all vehicles (ML 1)”.

9. Decommission 21.33 miles of unauthorized roads. These will be physically blocked as

noted in item 4 above. These roads have no INFRA database designation.

These changes would result in a net increase of 4.66 miles of NFSRs on the Douglas District

motorized transportation system. If the proposed action is approved, the system would comprise

of 358.24 miles of NFSRs “open to all vehicles (ML 2 through ML 5)”; 5.09 miles of NFSRs

“restricted to administrative or permitted use only”; 25.78 miles of NFSRs that are

5 In general, ML 2 roads are those suitable for high-clearance vehicles and not suitable for passenger vehicles, such

as sedans.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado

6

closed (ML 1)”; and 1.86 miles of unauthorized roads newly designated as “NFS non-motorized

trails”. Motor vehicle use off the designated system would be prohibited, except as identified on

the MVUM.

Management of roads, trails and areas that are within the Forest boundary but not considered to

be NFS land is not a component of the proposed action. The presence of these roads, trails, and

areas and any proposed changes to them by other entities will be included in the cumulative

impacts analysis of the NEPA review. Private landowners and other agencies have been and will

continue to be consulted with during future transportation management planning. Non-

motorized recreation activities (e.g., hiking, horseback riding) are also not part of the proposed

action, but will be considered during cumulative impacts analysis.

Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Since 2006, the Forest’s travel management planning process has included many opportunities

for public involvement. Four open-house meetings (one each in Tucson, Safford, Sierra Vista,

and Douglas) about the process afforded the public an opportunity to view maps showing

existing motorized-use direction in the Forest plan and to solicit input regarding unique

recreation opportunities, specific vehicle-class opportunities, access to significant-use locations,

dispersed camping opportunities, and environmental and/or safety concerns related to specific

roads. Also, the Forest Supervisor informed 12 Native American tribes in writing about the

transportation management planning and advised them of their opportunity to comment (letter

dated May 18, 2007, from Forest Supervisor Jeanine Derby). Many public meetings have been

held to date as an element of the Forest plan revision process. Travel management was discussed

at these meetings, and public input received in regard to travel management was considered in

the development of the proposed action.

The proposed action for the Douglas Ranger District has been listed on the Forest’s Schedule of

Proposed Actions on the Forest’s public website since July 1, 2011. Distribution of this Scoping

Notice is the next step of public involvement in the NEPA process. Comments received during

scoping will be reviewed and used by Forest resource specialists to analyze project effects, and

as necessary, to develop mitigation measures, issues and alternatives. Other opportunities for

public involvement in the NEPA process will be offered by future meetings and document

reviews.

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT

The Forest Service values public input as part of its NEPA process. You are encouraged to

submit comments regarding the proposed action and the scope of the NEPA analysis of this

project, including those related to alternatives and issues to be addressed6. To receive full

consideration and to best assist the Forest Service in this NEPA review, your comments should

be submitted within 90 days from receipt of this notice. However, public comments about the

project will be accepted and considered until a pre-decisional environmental assessment is

released for public comment, in accordance with regulations at 36 CFR 215.

To ensure public involvement in our transportation management planning, the U.S. Institute for

Environmental Conflict Resolution, an independent and impartial agency of the Federal

government, is engaging the public in a collaborative process that will include a broad range of

interested stakeholders. The objective of the process is to reach consensus on changes to the

designated road system and, if necessary, to develop an alternative to our proposed action. If

6 Comments and personally identifying information associated with them, such as names and addresses, become part

of the administrative record of this NEPA review. They may be made available to a third-party upon request under

the authority of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If you do not want personal information to be released in

response to a FOIA request, you may choose not to include it with your comments. Or, you may request an

exemption from FOIA with your comment submittal. Should you choose the latter, you will be informed by the

Forest Service whether or not your request qualifies for an exemption. If it does not, you will be offered an

opportunity to resubmit your comments without personal information or to withhold them.

you are interested in participating in this collaborative process, please contact Debra Drecksel at

the U.S. Institute at [email protected] and (520) 901-8558.

Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail to Mr. Ruben Morales, Travel Management Project

Leader, Douglas Ranger District, 1192 W. Saddle View Road, Douglas AZ 85607; by facsimile

to "ATTN: Douglas Travel Management NEPA" at (520) 364-6667; and by electronic mail

(email) to [email protected] with "Douglas Travel Management

NEPA" in the subject line. Email comments may be sent in the body of the message, in rich text

format (.rtf) or in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx). Comments may also be submitted

electronically at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36555 by selecting

“Comment on Project" in the blue "Get Connected" box. You may also indicate here that you

would like to receive electronic updates about this project by selecting the "Subscribe to Email

Updates" link at the same internet location.

Telephone comments may be offered by calling Mr. Morales on (520) 364-6800 during regular

business hours, which are 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding

Federal holidays. You may also provide in-person comments to me or my staff at the District

Office.

As part of this scoping process, the Forest Service will host open-house meetings in Tucson and

Douglas, Arizona. Comment forms will be available at these meetings, which everyone is

welcome to attend. Notices of the times and places of these open houses will be posted on the

Forest public website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado and in the Tucson and Douglas local

newspapers.

Questions about the NEPA process may be directed to Ms. Andrea W. Campbell, Forest NEPA

Coordinator, at (520) 388-8352.

Sincerely,

/s/ William A. Edwards

WILLIAM A. EDWARDS

District Ranger

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36555

Figure 1. Location of the Douglas Ranger District, Coronado National Forest.


TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE EXISTING DESIGNATED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ON THE DOUGLAS RANGER DISTRICT, CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST.*

National Forest System Road

(NFSR) Category

Existing Transp. System (miles)

Change ML 2 through

ML 5 to ML 1 (closed)

(miles)

Change ML 2

through ML 5 to

restricted (miles)

Sub- total

(miles)

Add as NFSR

(miles)

Change ML 1

to ML 2

(miles)

Decom- mission (miles)

Convert to NFS non-

motorized trail (miles)

Convert to NFS

motorized trail (miles)

Future Transp. System (miles)

Open to all vehicles (ML 2 through ML 5)

369.71 -17.26 -1.40 351.05 32.01 0.71 -25.53 0.00 0.00 358.24

Restricted to admin. or permitted use only

1.13

1.40 2.53 2.56

0.00 0.00 0.00 5.09

NFSR - ML 1; closed to all vehicles

13.61 17.26

30.87 3.14 -0.71 -7.52 0.00 0.00 27.78

NFSR Subtotal

384.45

384.45 37.71 0.00 -33.05 0.00 0.00 389.11

National Forest

System Trail (NFST)

Existing Trail

System (miles)

Sub- total

Add New NFST

(miles)

Convert to NFST

(miles)

Motorized trails less than 50

inches wide

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Non- motorized

trails**

Not Applic.

1.86

1.86

* In addition to the changes shown in Table 1, 21.33 miles of unauthorized roads that are not part of the current motorized transportation system are proposed to be decommissioned. **Non-motorized trails are not part of the existing District transportation system.

TABLE 2. PROPOSED CHANGES TO INDIVIDUAL ROADS IN THREE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AREAS (EMAs) ON THE

DOUGLAS RANGER DISTRICT, CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST.

Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number

Length (miles) Current Status Proposed Change Type of Change/Rationale

CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS EMA

357 3.55 NFSR Redesignate

From “open to all vehicles" (ML 2) to “closed to all

vehicles” (ML 1) because of public safety concerns. Berms

have already been built because of erosion concerns caused

by the Horseshoe 2 fire.



vehicles” (ML 1). Future maintenance of range

improvement.

4276 0.40 NFSR Redesignate From “open to all vehicles" (ML 2) to “closed to all

vehicles” (ML 1).


vehicles” (ML 1). No public access.




improvement.


From “open to all vehicles" ML 2) to “closed to all


improvement.


From “open to all vehicles" (ML2) to “closed to all


improvement.


vehicles” (ML 1). No public access.

Subtotal 12.54



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



74 B 0.19 NFSR Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management

objectives.

341 0.71 NFSR Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management

objectives.

719 A 0.50 NFSR Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management

objectives. On highly erodible soils.





722 B 0.68 NFSR Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management





objectives.


objectives.

4259 0.15 NFSR Decommission

No longer needed to meet Forest resource management

objectives. On highly erodible soils. Close at saddle near

turnaround.





objectives. Partly in wilderness.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




objectives. Partly in wilderness.


objectives.


objectives.


objectives.


objectives.


objectives.


objectives. Road redundancy.





Subtotal 9.70

317-old 0.65 NFSR (ML 1) Decommission


objectives.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



4223 0.92 NFSR (ML 1) Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management




Subtotal 2.05

4283 0.71 NFSR (ML 1) Redesignate From “Closed to all vehicles" (ML1) to “Open to all

vehicles” (ML 2). Heavily used by Border Patrol

Subtotal 0.71

42 D-Guard

Station 0.12

NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2).

42 D-heli-spot 0.21 NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to dispersed

campsite.

42-Portal Visitor

Information Center 0.21

NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Closed seasonally

according to Center staffing.

Subtotal 0.54

42-13.52R-1 0.07 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

42-15.09L-1 0.03 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Parking area for

Basin Trail will remain open and road blocked at trailhead.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

42 B-3.80L-1 0.10 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

42 B-6.67L-1 0.12 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

42 D-2.32L-1 0.09 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

42 D-Access 0.12 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2).

42 D-CG TH 0.35 Unauthorized


42 D-Loop CG 0.08 Unauthorized



Road Add as NFSR


campsite. Trough to wildlife drinker.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite and range improvement.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to spring and

range permit administration.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to main

corrals of Rak allotment and loop has multiple dispersed

campsites


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to private

land.

74 E-0.28L-1 0.46 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to storage

tank for campgrounds.

74 E-1.26R-1 0.06 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to waterline

and permittee pump station.

259-Trail 0.47 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2) up to IRA. Access to

dispersed campsite.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to range

improvements and water system.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to water

system and new storage tank.

317 B 0.06 Unauthorized



Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access for

recreation, dispersed campsite and range improvement.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements. Block at inventoried roadless area.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite. Dead end at NPS boundary and vital as fire

access point.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

385-trail 0.27 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFST


campsite. Access to BLM land


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to Wood

Canyon section of Rough Mountain Allotment. Renumber

as NFSR 700.


Road Add as NFSR Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to windmill.

721 A-0.48R-1 0.09 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to water

system and pipeline road.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to dirt tanks;

future need for pipeline installation. Erosion issues.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to well,

storage, trough system, and power line.


Road Add as NFSR


improvement.

4250-extension 0.08 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to private

land.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Needed for range

improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to range and

wildlife improvements.

Subtotal

14.33

42-Bone 0.13 NFSR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR

Add as "restricted to administrative and permitted use only"

(ML 2).

42-Bone 2 0.08 NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


(ML 2).

42-heli spot 0.32 NFSR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


(ML 2).



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



42-Portal

Boneyard 0.37

NFSR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


(ML 2).

42-Portal Shop 0.09 NFSR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


(ML 2).

74-CampRucker 0.21 NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR

Add as “restricted to administrative and permitted use

only” (ML 2).

Subtotal 1.20


Road Add as NFSR


only” (ML 2).


Road Add as NFSR


only” (ML 2).

Subtotal 1.16


Road Add as NFSR Add as “closed to all vehicles” (ML 1).




Road Add as NFSR

Add as “closed to all vehicles” (ML 1). Needed for future

range improvements maintenance.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “closed to all vehicles” (ML 1). Needed for future

range improvements maintenance.

Subtotal 2.39

259-Trail 0.98 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFST

Add as NFS non-motorized trail. Trailhead exists in

wilderness and will be placed in area with safe parking area

and turnaround.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFST Add as NFS non-motorized trail.

Subtotal 1.29

314 0.57 NFSR Redesignate From NFSR to NFS non-motorized trail for part that is in

inventoried roadless area.

Subtotal 0.57


Road Decommission

Not needed to meet Forest resource and other management

objectives. Located in highly erodible soil and close

proximity to drainage channel.


Road Decommission


objectives. Located in highly erodible soils.


Road Decommission





Road Decommission





Road Decommission




Road Decommission





Road Decommission






Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Decommission





Road Decommission




42 D-Disp CG 0.06 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

74-spur 0.58 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

74-tank rd 0.87 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

74 B-extension 0.14 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

74 E-0.38L-1 0.55 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

74E-Spur 0.97 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.


Road Decommission


objectives. Decommission segment in IRA.


Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission





Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Decommission




Road Decommission





Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission





Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



4262-powerline 0.26 Unauthorized

Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission


objectives. Decommission segment in IRA.


Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission


objectives.


Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission


objectives.


Road Decommission



Subtotal 14.41

42 4.11 NFSR Change 300 ft.

corridor

Eliminate off-road travel up to a distance of 300 ft for

dispersed motorized camping for protection of natural

resources. Reduce pull-off distance to a vehicle car length

for safe passage of traffic.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



42 A 2.17 NFSR Change 300 ft.

corridor



resources. Parking in established pullouts only.

42 E 1.30 NFSR Change 300 ft.

corridor





74 E 2.20 NFSR Change 300 ft.

corridor





DRAGOON MOUNTAINS EMA


From “open to all vehicles" to “restricted to administrative

and permitted use only”. ML 2. North portion of road

leading to private land.

698 0.63 NFSR Redesignate From “open to all vehicles" to “restricted to administrative

and permitted use only”. ML 2. Leads to private land.


and permitted use only” (ML 2). No public access.


and permitted use only” ( ML 2). No public access.


and permitted use only” (ML 2). Access to church camp.

Subtotal 1.40



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



4220 0.40 NFSR Redesignate From “open to all vehicles” (ML 2) to “closed to all

vehicles” (ML 1). Access to AZGFD guzzler.


vehicles” (MS 1). Only access to marble quarry.


vehicles” (ML 1). Needed for future range improvement.

Subtotal 0.75


objectives. Redundant road.


objectives. Located on highly erodible soils.



vehicles” (ML 1). There is Illegal off-road vehicle access

beyond end of road. Block entrance.














Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number





























Subtotal 11.97



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



687 B 0.34 NFSR (ML 1) Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management

objectives. Road located on highly erodible soils.





4227 B 0.05 NFSR (ML 1) Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management








4396 A 0.43 NFSR (ML 1) Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management






Subtotal 5.00

84-Equestrian

Pkng 0.10

NFSR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to trailhead

parking.

Subtotal 0.10



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



84-Pvt Dr 0.26 Unauthorized











Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Used for allotment

management and permittee access.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Used for allotment

management and permittee access.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

689-4217 0.51 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Needed for

management of allotment and for fire prevention access.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Permittee access to

State lease adjacent with the Forest


Road Add as NFSR


improvements and permit admin access.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements and permit admin access. Spring access.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access to storage

tank system on Fourr allotment. Reroute out of riparian

area.


Road Add as NFSR


storage system and pipeline. Needed for allotment

administration.


Road Add as NFSR


storage system and pipeline. Access to private land.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access from private

land for allotment admin. Renumber as 4382.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Access from private

land for allotment administration.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Cobra Loma Mine

access.

4396-spur 0.63 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Used as 4396

reroute.


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



Subtotal 9.26

84-Brophy 0.14 NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


only” (ML 2).

84-Schilling 0.06 NSFR not listed in

INFRA Add as NFSR


only” (ML 2).

Subtotal 0.20

345 A-1.35R-1 0.64 Unauthorized

Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission


objectives.


Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission


objectives.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission




Road Decommission



Subtotal 5.39


corridor



resources. Reduce distance to 50 feet.


corridor






Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number




corridor



resources. Reduce distance to a vehicle car length for safe

passage of traffic.


corridor




passage of traffic.


corridor




passage of traffic.


corridor





corridor





corridor




Subtotal 12.27



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number


PELONCILLO MOUNTAINS EMA


From “open to all vehicles” (ML 2) to “closed to all

vehicles” (ML 1). ML1 from Blackwater Hole to Maverick

Spring


vehicles” (ML 1). Road located on highly erodible soils.

Subtotal 3.33


objectives. Road is located on highly erodible soils.




4326-old 0.30 NFSR Decommission No longer needed to meet Forest resource management




Subtotal 3.86



Subtotal 0.47


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Needed to access

tank for range improvement maintenance.


Road Add as NFSR

Add as “open to all vehicles" (ML 2). Needed to access

range improvement and permit administration.



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



63- Disp CG 3 0.08 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


campsite.

63-spur 1 1.51 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements and permit admin access to Nurse Tank and

pumping station.

63-Tank spur 0.11 Unauthorized

Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements and permit admin; reroute as 704 A


Road Add as NFSR


campsite.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements.


Road Add as NFSR


improvements. Used heavily by Border Patrol.

Subtotal 7.78



Transportation

Analysis Plan

(TAP) Route

Identification

Number



4327-extension 0.75

Unauthorized


Subtotal 0.75

702 A- 4312

0.20 Unauthorized

Road Decommission


objectives.

4313-1.69L-1 1.00

Unauthorized

Road Decommission



4324-0.76L-1 0.33

Unauthorized

Road Decommission



Subtotal 1.53


GLOSSARY

National Forest System Road (NFSR): A Forest road other than a road that has been authorized by a

legally documented right-of-way held by a state, county, or local public road authority (Forest Service

Manual 7705 – DEFINITIONS – 36 CFR 212.1). These roads are open to the general public for recreational

uses, such as, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, dispersed camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching,

etc. Additionally, these roads are open for administrative uses, such as fire, fuels, range, wildlife and timber

management, and access by special-use permittees.

National Forest System Road - Restricted: An NFSR that has restricted access for administrative use only,

such as for the purposes of, but not limited to, fire, fuels, range, wildlife, law enforcement, and timber

management; and authorized access by special-use permittees.

Non-System (unauthorized) Road: These include all user-created roads that are not part of the NFSR

system. They do not have an identification number in the NFSR database (INFRA). They may have been

assigned an identification number by the Forest during Transportation Analysis planning.

Decommissioning of Roads: NFSRs and non-system roads that have been deemed unnecessary for

administrative, permitted, or general use will be obliterated and closed by various methods, including but not

limited to, gates, placement of natural materials (boulders, rocks), ripping, planting native vegetation, and/or

allowing natural vegetation to return. Decommissioned roads will be signed closed. Their NFSR

identification numbers will be removed from the INFRA database. Archaeological surveys will be conducted

before any ground-disturbing activities are accomplished.

Maintenance Level 1 Road: Motor vehicle travel is not allowed under any circumstances on a road having

this designation, including administrative use. These roads may, however, are available for non-motorized

uses. Roads may be of any category type, class or construction standard. No maintenance other than a

condition survey may be required as long as no potential exist for resource damage. Planned road

deterioration at this level is acceptable.

Maintenance Level 2 Road: These roads are open for use by high-clearance vehicles; passenger car traffic

is not a consideration. Traffic is normally light, usually consisting of one or a combination of administrative,

permitted, dispersed recreation, or other specialized uses.

National Forest System Trails (NFSTs): These are designated for either motorized or non-motorized use

on NFS lands. NFSRs that are either deteriorating or located in an inventoried roadless area or some other

geographical feature that makes them limited for motorized use may be recommended by the proposed action

for designation to a non-motorized trail.

scoping notice: proposed changes to transportation management

Documents