Agenda

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ARF- 1051

Regular Agenda Item 4- F

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/24/2012
Submitted For:	Don McDaniel Jr.
Submitted By:	Jacque Griffin, Asst. County Manager/Librarian, Asst County Manager/Library District
Department:	Deputy County Mgr/Library District

Information

Request/Subject

Provide comment on the Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management on the Tonto National Forest

Background Information

The Board of Supervisors received notice from the Tonto National Forest, dated January 6, 2012, seeking comment on the Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management. The purpose of this effort is to comply with the Travel Management Rule by providing a system of roads, trails and areas designated for motor vehicle use by class of vehicle and time of year on the Tonto National Forest. Comments must be submitted within 30 days following the published date of January 6, 2012. Only those who provide comment or otherwise express interest in the proposed action during this comment period will be eligible to appeal any future action related to this Travel Management Rule.

Evaluation

The Tonto National Forest has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Motorized Travel Management. According to the notice, the proposed action would close about 101 miles of roads, open about 442 miles of roads, create a 233 mile motorized trail system, seasonally restrict access on 105 miles, administratively restrict access on 253 miles of roads, create special use permit zones for 315 miles, add 291 miles of unauthorized routes, allow motorized cross country travel on 1,417 acres and allow retrieval of big game up to 200 yards off either side of roads and motorized trails.

This appears to be "Alternative 2 - Proposed Action" in the EA, although the listed changes and tables under Alternative 2 do not always match the above listed numbers. Additionally, in the proposed action it states on page 7 of 269, "Because a person needs written authorization to use a motorized vehicle on the roads and trails
within permit zones, these routes will be considered administrative use only and will not be depicted on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)." From this statement, it appears that the 315 miles are for all intents and purposes, closed.

The Motorized Travel Management Plan process was initiated in 2007, and included a scoping process in 2009. The Environmental Assessment portion is 269 pages, and has an additional eleven appendices. There are 38 additional reports and summaries related to this plan.

There appears to be no assessment of the economic impact or lost economic opportunities associated with any of these plans. Apparently the economic assessment comes after the fact, and only includes the cost to the agency for administering the plan.

Conclusion

Official comments to this Environmental Assessment will be considered part of the public record of this analysis by the Tonto Forest as it moves forward in this project. Commenting will allow the Board of Supervisors standing in any potential future appeal. Additionally, the proposed comment letter asks that Gila County be designated both a Coordinating Agency and a Cooperating Agency on this, and all future Tonto Forest projects and plans.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider issuing official comments on the Tonto National Forest Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to consider issuing official comments from the Board of Supervisors to the Tonto National Forest regarding the Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management. (Jacque Griffin)

Attachments
Proposed comment letter to Tonto National Forest
TNF letter regarding comment period on EA Travel Management