The Stanislaus National Forest is requesting public comment on the Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) proposed action begun on June 26, 2015. Public comment on the proposed action is encouraged. To assure your comments are fully considered during the scoping phase of the project, please submit comments by August 10, 2015. The information you share now will be instrumental in formulating alternative actions in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable and sustainable system of roads, trails, and areas designated for OSV use within the Stanislaus National Forest. The proposed action also identifies trails for grooming and adopts the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division snow depth standards for that purpose.

For over 30 years, the Forest Service has enhanced winter recreation opportunities, including snowmobiling, by working in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) Off-highway Motor Vehicle Division.  Highlights of the proposed plan could enhance that use by:

Identifying approximately 54 miles of designated OSV trails that would be groomed on the Forest;

Joining forces with Tuolumne and Alpine Counties to groom Clark’s Fork Road (9 miles) and the Highland Lakes Road (5 miles)

Designating 98 miles of ungroomed OSV routes;

Designating 141,073 acres for open OSV riding;

Grooming trails when there is 12-18 inches of snow;

Implementing a Forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use when there is a minimum of 12 inches of continuous and supportable snow covering the landscape at 5,000 feet in elevation and above. Stanislaus Meadow on the Calaveras Ranger District will require a minimum depth of 24 inches. These snow depth requirements will provide for public safety, while protecting natural and cultural resources;

Amending the Forest Plan to allow winter OSV use in the Pacific Valley and portions of the Eagle Night Near Natural areas.
The analysis to be documented in the EIS is needed to complete Subpart C-Use by Over-Snow Vehicle, of the Forest Service Travel Management Rule (36 CFR part 212) and to comply with a Settlement Agreement between the Forest Service and Snowlands Network et al.  The Settlement Agreement requires the Forest Service to analyze the effects of grooming snow trails for OSV use.

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) believes it is possible that specific designation of routes and areas for Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) use will create better management of winter recreation on the National Forest System. Snowmobile interests — including the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, American Council of Snowmobile Associations, BRC and several individuals — were parties in the Snowlands Network lawsuit and made efforts to ensure that the settlement complied with applicable law and included procedural safeguards.  For example, the snowmobile interests are afforded the opportunity under the settlement to submit an alternative which must be considered by the Forest Service in the analysis.

BRC and the Forest Service encourages your participation in this process and requests comments on the proposed action. To ensure your comments are fully considered during this initial scoping phase of the project, please submit them by August 10, 2015. Additional comments are welcome throughout the planning process.

The Forest will be hosting several open houses where they will provide an overview of the Proposed Action and answer questions. All meetings will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Locations are as followed:

July 13, 2015, Perry Walther Community Building, 325 Creekside Drive, Bear Valley, CA 95223

July 14, 2015, Calaveras Ranger District Office at 5519 Highway 4, Hathaway Pines, CA 95233

July 21, 2015, Pinecrest Ele mentary School located at 30433 Old Strawberry Road in Pinecrest, CA 95375

July 22, 2015, Stanislaus National Forest Supervisors Office at 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA  95370
A stakeholder workshop is being planned during the 45 day comment period.  Date, time and location will be forthcoming.

For additional background material, project maps and information on how to comment on the plan, please visit the project website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=46311.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Phyllis Ashmead, OSV Project Team Leader at 209-532-3671, ext. 322.