OHV Route Inventory

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On the Right Trail!
Klamath National Forest
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Route and Area
Designation
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What is an OHV?

• OHV is an off-highway motor vehicle as
  specified in CVC Section 38010, or street
  licensed motor vehicle while being used off
  highway.

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What is Route and Area Designation?

• The process of determining which roads, trails,
  and areas are available for use by off-highway
  vehicles by vehicle type and season of use.
• Three types of designations are possible
• Open
• Restricted
• Closed

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Background on National OHV Management

• In 2003, the Chief of the Forest Service
  identified unmanaged recreation as one of four
  threats to the health of National Forests.
• The Chief of the Forest Service released the
  proposed National Motor Vehicle Use Policy on
  July 15, 2004 to respond to concerns regarding
  unmanaged recreation.

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Background on Region 5 OHV Management

• In 2003, the Regional Forester signed a
  Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the State of
  California OHMVR Division to complete motorized
  route designations for roads, trails, and areas
  by 2008.

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Current KNF OHV Direction(per the KNF Forest
Plan, 1995 )

• Right now, all KNF-managed lands are considered
  open to use by OHVs, unless they have been
  designated as closed.
• This OHV designation process is changing that
  direction which is why we want your ideas now.

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Current KNF System Roads (not including Ukonom
Ranger District)

• Maintenance Level 1 (closed) 800 miles
• Maintenance Level 2 (high clearance) 2,540
  miles
• These are the ones that can be used legally
  by OHVs.
• Maintenance Level 3 (street legal passenger
  vehicles) 1470 miles
• Maintenance Level 4 (chip seal over aggregate)
  90 miles
• Maintenance Level 5 (paved, usually 2 lane) 50
  miles
• Total System Roads 4,950 miles

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Klamath NF Route Inventory Designation
Strategy
Forest Orders Signs User Maps
By 2008
By 2007
Designate Routes with Planning Amendment
By 2006
Propose Designations Public Input
By August 31, 2005
Freeze for Study (Analysis) Existing Roads,
Trails, Areas
By August 31, 2005
Complete Inventory of OHV Use Routes, Trails, and
Areas
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Step 1 Inventory

• Map roads, trails, and areas currently receiving
  motorized vehicle use.
• Due date August 31, 2005

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Current OHV Inventory

• To date, KNF staff and OHV groups have
  identified
• 62 miles of roads,
• 26 miles of trails, and
• Several specifically-defined
• areas of concentrated OHV use.

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Step 2 Freeze Existing Roads, Trails, Areas
for Study Purposes.

• Based on data collected and new information
  provided by the public, the Forest will freeze
  the database.
• Data will then be carried forward for analysis in
  
• Step 3.
• Due date August 31, 2005

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Step 3 Designation Planning

• Develop a proposed OHV/motorized system
• with the public.
• Due Date 2006.

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Step 3 Proposing a Designated System
Screens Existing
Direction Specialist Analysis Public Input
Proposed OHV System
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Step 4 Designation

• Prepare the Planning Amendment to the Klamath
  Land Resource Management Plan.
• Alternative analysis Look at different ways of
  achieving goals.
• Preferred Alternative selected by Forest
  Supervisor.
• Public involvement.
• Due Date 2007

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Step 5 - Implementation

• Issue final Forest maps and orders that implement
  the new OHV Route System.
• Due Date 2008.

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• Main Points
• This is a State-wide process, yet decisions will
  be made here locally.
• There are many opportunities for the public to
  provide information about the routes, trails, and
  areas they would like considered.
• Snowmobiles and mountain bikes are not included
  in this process.
• 2500 miles of road are, and will remain, open to
  OHVs.
• Designation of OHV system aids us in competing
  for green sticker funds.

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• What are we asking from you?

• By August 31, 2005, identify on a map those
  roads, trails, or areas on which you use your
  OHV.
• Beginning June 1st, maps will be available on the
  Klamath NF OHV web page, or from our front desk
  at our office in Yreka.

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Klamath National Forest
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Route and Area
Designation
THANKS FOR COMING TONIGHT!!
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Klamath NF Miles of Road by District