SDOHVC Action Alert

           

We need the motorized community to send comments in for Telegraph Project on the Northern Hills Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest. (Deadline April 14, 2008)

Below I have taken a couple paragraphs out of the notice of intent that pertain to the motorized community the most. When you first read this you this, you might not think this sounds that bad.  But when you think about it, we will be losing 29 miles of existing routes that were there before they started this project. They also will be constructing and closing 83 miles of new system road specific for this project.

It is the position of the South Dakota Off Highway Vehicle Coalition that the Forest Service should not be closing or opening roads outside of the current Travel Management Process.  Until that process is complete, the Forest Service should not be closing or opening roads, trails, or areas independent from the Travel Management planning at the forest level. 

These existing roads and perhaps those being constructed for the project should be considered in the Travel Management Process.  This would also save money that would be used to close them and could go towards managing them.  

That is why it is up to all of us to send in our comments and include suggested use to the Forest Service by the April 14 deadline.  Let them know how and why you use these roads for recreation and access for recreation. Remember this is how the motorized enthusiasts can do our part to ensure more riding/wheeling opportunity's for the future.

If you look below I have also listed all the contact information for submitting your comments to the Forest Service. (If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me at info@sdohvc.org. or phone at 605-641-2757.

Proposed Action

The proposed action is intended to be responsive to the purpose of and need for action specified for this project and to move conditions within the project area toward more desirable conditions as described in the Forest Plan. The proposed action includes a variety of commercial and non-commercial vegetation and fuels treatments. Some treatments will stand alone, while others include initial treatments as well as follow-up treatments.

To facilitate these vegetation treatments, an estimated 83 miles of new National Forest System road would need to be constructed, and 29 miles of currently unclassified roads would be added to the system. These roads would be closed following harvest activities.

The proposal would also require use of approximately 166 miles of existing National Forest System roads. These system roads would need to be prepared for use. Preparation could range from minimal maintenance activities to reconstruction of the road template, depending on the current condition of the road.

Responsible Official: Rhonda O'Byrne, District Ranger, Northern Hills Ranger District, 2014 North Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783.

Dates: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis would be most helpful if received by April 14, 2008. The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be 2 available July 2008, and the final environmental impact statement is expected to be completed by September 2008.

Addresses: Send written comments to Rhonda O'Byrne, District Ranger, Northern Hills Ranger District at 2014 North Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783. Oral comments may be submitted by telephone at (605) 642-4622. Electronic comments may be submitted via e-mail at comments-rocky-mountain-black-hills-northern-hills@fs.fed.us. If submitting electronic comments, please include "Telegraph Project" in the subject line.

For further information contact: Jackie Groce, Natural Resource Planner, Northern Hills Ranger District, 2014 North Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783. Telephone number: (605) 642-4622.

Eric Hunt
President, South Dakota Off Highway Vehicle Coalition
338 Evans Lane Box A
Spearfish SD, 57783
Email info@sdohvc.org or
erichunt@bhsu.edu
Phone 1-605-641-2757