Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

ARF- 5768

2. A.

Work Session

Meeting Date:	12/10/2019
Submitted For:	Woody Cline	Submitted By:	Cathy Melvin, Executive Assistant
Department:	Board of Supervisors-District 3

Information

Request/Subject

Discussion regarding the Forest Service 203 Road located in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. The road is scheduled to be closed pursuant to the Tonto National Forest Travel Management Plan. The reopening of this road may require Congressional Action.

Background Information

The Forest Service 203 Road provides the only motorized roadway access to many historic, privately-owned, occupied homesteads entering the area from Hwy 288, a few miles from the Salt River Diversion and north at Board Tree Saddle. It is also a public roadway used for motorized travel by thousands of visitors seeking to explore the Sierra Ancha Wilderness and surrounding area, such as hunters, hikers, wildland firefighters, first responders, OHV enthusiasts, livestock grazing permittees and families who live in Young and surrounding communities.

According to the legal description and map submitted to Congress in 1965, several sections of Forest Road 203 are well within the boundary of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness and there are no administrative use needs associated with this road. Without a legislated boundary adjustment, the Forest Service is legally required to decommission this road to comply with the Wilderness Act and can no longer provide any motorized use where it is within the Wilderness Boundary.

In a letter dated April 10, 2016 to Senator John McCain from Neil Bosworth, Tonto National Forest Supervisor, "There are 10.5 miles of Forest Road 203 inside and 30.2 miles outside the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. If Forest Road 203 did not intersect the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, the Forest Service would designate Forest Road 203, in its entirety, as a motorized trail open to all motor vehicles."

Because the 10.5 miles in question lies within the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, the Tonto National Forest is legally required to comply with the Wilderness Act.

In the Travel Management on the Tonto National Forest Draft Record of Decision, Implementation Section, page 33, dated October 2019 it states:

"Forest Service Road 203, also known as Cherry Creek Road, will be closed to all motor vehicle use until such time as this route is no longer within the designated boundary of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. When this route is no longer within the Wilderness Area or as otherwise authorized by Congressional Action, it will be opened and designated as a full-sized motorized trail. The effects of both of these actions have been described in chapter 2 and analyzed by resource area in chapter 3 in the final environmental impact statement."

Evaluation

It would be beneficial for the Board of Supervisors to hear from various interested parties and groups regarding the future or possible permanent closure of 10.5 miles of Forest Road 203. In addition it would be beneficial to discuss the possibility of legislative action to correct the Wilderness Boundary to allow all of Forest Road 203 to be designated a motorized trail open to all motorized vehicles.

Conclusion

N/A

Recommendation

N/A

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion regarding the Forest Service 203 Road located in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness and its scheduled closing per the Tonto National Forest Travel Management Plan. (Woody Cline)

Attachments
TNF Travel Management Plan