Sonora, Calif., (March 5, 2015)…The Stanislaus National Forest is requesting public consideration of the DRAFT Proposed Action for its Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation project BEFORE it is published in a Notice of Intent coming in late March/ early April. Click to view draft invitation.
In order to receive public feedback, the Forest is hosting open houses, that are a follow-up to workshops held last fall, at the following locations and dates: March 11 from 1-5 p.m. at the Supervisors Office in Sonora; March 13 from 1-5 p.m. at the Calaveras Ranger District office in Hathaway Pines; March 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pinecrest Community Center in Pinecrest; and March 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the Bear Valley Library, conference room in Bear Valley.
“Over-snow Vehicle Use is a popular form of winter recreation on the Stanislaus National Forest,” said Jeanne Higgins, Forest Supervisor, Stanislaus National Forest. “We built the DRAFT Proposal using current information and best available science. I encourage the public, users of the Forest OSV routes to assist us in identifying historical routes and uses.”
The Forest, along with four additional forests in the Pacific Southwestern Region, is undertaking this analysis to improve management of OSV use and to designate a system of OSV trails, including groomed trails, and to meet the required terms of a settlement agreement between the Forest Service and Snowlands Network, Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity.
In commenting on the DRAFT Proposed Action for OSV Designation, please consider the following questions: Have we missed any major areas or routes that historically have been used by snowmobiles? If so, where and how are they being used?; Is the DRAFT Proposed Action clearly stated and mapped? If not, how can it be improved?
For any questions or comments, please contact Sue Warren, project coordinator at 209 532-3671 ext. 263 or email atswarren@fs.fed.us.
For further Forest information call: the Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office at: 209-532-3671; Calaveras Ranger District (RD) at 209-795-1381; Groveland RD 209-962-7825; Mi-Wok RD at 209-586-3234 or Summit RD at 209-965-3434.
