Access Issues

Cibola National Forest Releases Long-Awaited Mount Taylor Travel Management Environmental Assessment

Last Updated: August 14, 2010

The Cibola National Forest has released the Draft Environmental Assessment for Travel Management for the Mount Taylor Ranger District. This release starts the official 30 day comment period for the Environmental Assessment (EA) document.

The draft EA proposes some really BIG changes from the current situation. In addition to the elimination of cross country travel, the Proposed Action (Alternative B) would close nearly 350 miles of currently existing road eliminate dispersed camping on all but a 200 foot corridor along a mere 80 miles of roads. Three of the four alternatives being considered would also completely ban motorized big game retrieval.

The public has only 30 days to comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails. The 30 day comment period will end on September 14, 2010.

Two Open House public meetings will be held on August 25th and August 26th in Gallup and Grants. Comments can be submitted by postal mail, email, and fax.
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Forest Service Proposes to Close Over Half of Santa Fe National Forest Roads

Last Updated: July 23, 2010

The Santa Fe National Forest finally released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Travel Management to the public today. The Forest Service is proposing to close over 2900 miles (53%) of the existing roads on the Forest. Even the most 'vehicle-friendly' alternative considered closes nearly half of the roads currently available.

According to the proposal, there are currently 5458 miles of roads and trails that people are using. The Forest Service's drastic proposal reduces this to around 2500 miles.

The public has 45 days to comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails.

Eight public meetings will be held August 8-18 in the various communties in and around the Santa Fe National Forest.

Remember: Only those people or organizations who provide comments during this 45-day comment period will be eligible to appeal the final decision!
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Carlsbad BLM Starts Revision of Resource Management Plan with Public Scoping Period

Last Updated: July 18, 2010

The Bureau of Land Management's Carlsbad Field Office has announced their intention to revise and update its Resource Management Plan (RMP). The official process begins with public scoping and will include a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The full process is expected to take approximately four years to complete.

The official public scoping period will last through August 30, 2010 (30 days after the last public scoping meeting).

Scoping provides the first opportunity for public comment. The BLM is asking the public to help identify issues to be addressed in the plan revision as well as offer potential solutions.

The BLM will also hold a series of ten public Scoping meetings at five locations in the area. The locations and dates are available on the NMOHVA calendar on our web site.

Remember, you must submit your Scoping comments by August 30, 2010!
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Taos BLM Releases their Draft Resource Management Plan for YOUR Review and Comment

Last Updated: June 15, 2010

The Taos Field Office has released their Draft Taos Resource Management Plan (RMP) for public review and comment.

The Draft RMP considers and evaluates a range of management options for approximately 595,100 acres of BLM-managed public lands including the El Palacia (Alcade) and Buckman riding areas,

The preferred alternative dramatically decreases the amount of land ‘open’ for OHV use from over 64,000 acres to only 380 acres. The preferred alternative closes almost 55,000 additional acres and limits OHV use to only ‘designated routes’ on over 500,000 acres. The draft plan also requires the BLM to designate routes within five years.

Comments on the draft plan will be accepted through September 8, 2010, and may be submitted via email.

NMOHVA is studying the Draft RMP and will be providing additional updates when we have had the chance to read and digest the document.
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