A message from the
U.S. Forest Service:
Know Before You Go—New rules for motor vehicle
use on national forests
The U. S. Forest Service is currently working to complete a public process called “Travel Management-Route Designation” on all national forests. The goal of the process is to create a designated system of roads, trails and areas open to public motor vehicle use by vehicle class (high-clearance 4WD, passenger car, ATV, dirt bike, etc.) and, if appropriate, by time of year. This will restrict motor vehicle travel to designated routes and areas identified on motor vehicle use maps, and cross-country travel will be prohibited.
So far, motor vehicle use maps have been created for the Los Padres National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in California. The Forest Service plans to release its decisions regarding vehicle use on the remaining forests later this year.
National forests offer excellent motorized recreation opportunities and the Forest Service is seeking your help in this process.
The designations are the first step toward a manageable and sustainable motorized system. The key to the Forest Service success will be working with you to help balance their goal of “caring for the land and serving people.”
If you want to become involved in the Forest Service Travel Management-Route Designation process in California, or for more information, visit their website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/routedesignation.
