for you AZ jeepers

[Jason L Williams]

I'm sure you are already aware of this or if it has posted yet but, if not, here's a heads up for you.
I received this e-mail today. Interesting reading.




Get Involved!



Five out of the 6 National Forests in Arizona are considering
new rules for use of off-highway vehicles on 9.5
million acres of public lands in Arizona. Of the 5 Alternatives
being considered by the Forest Service, the preferred
alternative for Arizona is a complete yearlong ban on all
cross-country travel. This is the proposed plan amendment,
Alternative #4. Off-highway vehicles will be severely restricted
to use on designated trails only. The actual trail
designations may not come for several years. The 5 National
Forests to be affected by this ban include: the
Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto National
Forests.

Cross-country travel is defined by the Forest Service as travel
off of or away from open roads or trails. The Forest
Service has noted that user created trails, particularly in
areas adjacent to residential development, lack engineering
and environmental elements of design and they will be shut down
with the issuance of this new policy.

The implementation of this policy in Arizona will create a
precedent for other National Forests throughout the U.S.
This is a policy decision that has the potential to affect
everyone.

Throughout Arizona, comment was received by the Forest Service
in response to its March 27, 2001 Notice of Intent
to prepare an EIS. The Draft EIS containing the 5 Alternatives
and the Proposed Action Alternative is now in the final
drafting stages and it is anticipated that it will be released
by late July 2002. Opportunity to comment on the Draft
EIS and Proposed Action Alternative #4 will occur at that time.
There will be a 45 day comment period.

The second part of the National Forests new OHV management
strategy to be undertaken will be the local site
specific planning that will occur following the final EIS. The
site specific planning phase will then designate the trails
open for recreational OHV use.

First your riding areas will be closed outright! Then the Forest
Service will consider which trails to designate for OHV
recreational use! As you know, this can be a long process.

PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO THE FOREST SERVICE.

To add your name to the mailing list for future announcements
contact: Jim Anderson, Land Management Planner at
the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 928-333-6370. Email:
janderson08@fs.fed.us

Contact the Forest Supervisors in the 5 National Forests:

John C. Bedell
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Forest Supervisor?s Office
PO Box 640
Springerville, AZ 85938
928-333-4301
web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf

James W. Golden
Coconino National Forest
Forest Supervisor?s Office
2323 E. Greenlaw Lane
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-527-3693
web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino

Mike King
Prescott National Forest
Forest Supervisor?s Office
344 S. Cortez
Prescott, AZ 86303
928-771-4700
web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott

Karl Siderits
Tonto National Forest
Forest Supervisor?s Office
2324 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-225-5200
web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

Mike Williams
Kaibab National Forest
Forest Supervisor?s Office
800 S. 6th Street
Williams, AZ 86046
928-635-8200
web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai

ARRA will notify you of additional information when it becomes
available. ARRA's website can be found at:
http://www.responsiblerecreation.com

Note: Fire danger is extreme throughout Arizona. Large area
closures continue on several National Forests. The
Apache-Sitgreaves, Coronado and Prescott National Forests are
closed. There are additional closures in the Kaibab
and Coconino National Forests. Information about fire conditions
and closures can be obtained by visiting
http://www.azfireinfo.com. Some developed campgrounds remain
open with restrictions on campfires and cigarette
smoking. Fireworks are illegal in Arizona. Our thoughts are with
the fire fighters.