02/28/08

The Sawtooth National Forest has released its final plans for a map that would show where off-road vehicles can and can't go here in southern Idaho. It’s an attempt to balance both use and preservation of public lands.

A new forest plan for the Fairfield, Ketchum, and Minidoka Ranger Districts will spell out the roads and trails that motorized vehicles can use safely.

Under the new plan, almost 150 miles of trails were added to the motorized user vehicle map, while just over 20 miles of road or trails were closed.

Kim Pierson, Route Designation Team Leader said, "There were other routes on the ground that may have been causing resource damage, may have been in a stream crossing, may have been in a rare plant population, or in a noxious weed population. And we took a look at those as well."

The U.S. Forest Service worked with Idaho Parks and Recreation, Idaho Fish and Game, Indian tribes, as well other groups to come up with a balanced plan for both motorized and non-motorized users.

Mel Quale, Magic Valley Trail Machine Assn. Spokesman said, "Yes, we were involved in it. We gave them our ideas of the routes we thought we should have and wanted, so yes, we were involved in it. The end result wasn't quite what we had hoped for, but that's the way things go."

You can pick up a copy of the final environmental assessment at the Sawtooth Forest Office or the Ketchum, Fairfield, and Minidoka Ranger District Offices.

If all goes well, the forest service hopes to implement the specified trails sometime in May.

You'll also have some new restrictions if you take your motorized off-road vehicles with you when you go camping.

Jay Michaels, KMVT News.