PHOENIX — The Tonto National Forest released a draft decision on the Travel Management Project today, to designate a series of roads, trails, and areas for motorized use, as well as prohibit general cross-country travel.

This decision comes after a multi-year planning process that included extensive public participation and review of more than 5,000 miles of roads and trails. During this time, the Tonto National Forest has provided a number of proposals for a designated road and trail system to the public for review and comment. These public comments were used to develop a comprehensive analysis called the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, on which the recent Travel Management draft decision was based.

This decision provides a starting point for management of motor vehicle use on the Tonto National Forest in compliance with the Final Travel Management Rule. The Final Rule, established in 2005, directs each forest to provide for appropriate motorized access and motorized recreation opportunities while protecting important forest resources and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

Today’s release of the draft decision is subject to the predecisional objection process described in 36 CFR Part 218, Subparts A and B. Objections must be filed within 45 days of the publication of the legal notice announcing the draft decision in the Arizona Capitol Times. Objections will be accepted by those who have previously submitted timely comments during any designated comment period. A decision will not be made until the objection process is complete.

The Draft Record of Decision and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Tonto National Forest Travel Management Project are now available online at: http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/fs-usda-pop.php?project=28967   back...