Trail building equestrians of New Mexico

[Una Smith <una.smith AT att.net>]

The last of 3 public meetings re this travel management proposed
action is April 28.  The notice below has been passed from list to
list over the past few weeks and time is getting short to get the
word out.  Please pass this on to interested persons.

        Una


> From: Roxanne A Turley <rturley AT fs.fed.us>
> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 7:57 AM
> Subject: Mountainair Ranger District Travel Management Proposed
> Action Now Available
>
>
> Dear Friend of the Cibola National Forest,
>
> The Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and
> Grasslands is proposing changes to its motorized travel system to
> comply with the national Travel Management Rule. The Rule,
> published in the Federal Register in 2005, requires each National
> Forest to identify and designate roads, trails and areas suitable
> for motorized use, and prohibits use of motorized vehicles that are
> not on the designated system. The designation process is for all
> motorized vehicles, such as full-sized vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles
> and may include the identification of the class of vehicle and
> possibly the times of year when use will be allowed.
>
> The outcome of this process will be an amendment to the Cibola
> National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan and the
> publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map for the Mountainair Ranger
> District that will show a designated system for motorized use. Once
> the official map is published, areas outside the designated system
> will be closed to motorized vehicles.
>
> The Proposed Action is now available. The document "Scoping
> Report for the Mountainair Ranger District Travel Management
> Proposed Action" outlines the proposal and the Proposed Action
> maps (available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/travel-
> management/tm_mt_air/proposed_action/index.shtml) display the
> proposal spatially for each Division of the District.
>
> The development of the Proposed Action begins the process required
> in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Scoping is a step
> to determine the range of actions, alternatives and impacts of the
> project to consider. Scoping includes an initial period when
> interested citizens can review the Proposed Action and provide
> comments, concerns and suggestions. This comment period will end on
> Friday, May 1, 2009. Information received during Scoping in
> response to the proposal will help the Forest Service refine the
> proposal and identify alternatives to the Proposed Action.
>
> The District will also hold Open Houses to discuss the Proposed
> Action. You are invited to attend the following Open Houses below
> to learn more about the Proposed Action and you will be provided an
> opportunity to make comments. If you need assistance with special
> needs for the Open Houses, please contact Nancy Brunswick by
> calling (505) 346-3900 or email
> (mountainair_travel_management AT fs.fed.us). The Open House dates,
> times, and locations are as follows:
>
> Tuesday, April 14, 6p.m. - 8p.m.                Belen Senior Center
>                                                 715-A South Main St.
>                                                 Belen, New Mexico
>
> Wednesday, April 15, 6p.m. - 8p.m.              Corona Senior Center
>                                                 451 Main St.
>                                                 Corona, New Mexico
>
> Tuesday, April 28, 6p.m. - 8p.m.                Mountainair Senior Center
>                                                 107 N. Summit Ave.
>                                                 Mountainair, New Mexico
>
> Written comments on the proposal, including names and addresses of
> those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on
> this proposed action and will be available for public inspection.
> Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the
> agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing
> how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such
> confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be
> aware that, under the FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only
> very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The
> Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision
> regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request if
> denied; the agency will return the submission and notify the
> requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name
> and address within seven days.
>
> If you have any questions about this project, you may contact
> Roxanne Turley, Project Team Leader, or Nancy Brunswick, Project
> Support, at (505) 346-3900.  Thank you for your interest and
> participation in this project.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roxanne Turley, Project Team Leader