Superior National Forest managers are requesting public input as part of a study of National Forest System (NFS) roads.
The Forest Service currently maintains more than 2,500 miles of roads within the Superior National Forest. Road maintenance needs to continue to grow as funding for road maintenance continues to decrease. Forest managers are conducting the study to help determine a sustainable road system that both provides safe travel for visitors and protects forest resources, such as water quality.
In the roads study, Superior National Forest managers will analyze the risks and benefits for forest visitors and the environment associated with the forest’s road system. The study is part of the implementation of the national 2005 Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR 212, and is informally known as “Subpart A” after the section of the rule where the direction resides. This part of the Travel Management Rule is an information-gathering study, not a decision-making process.
The result of the Subpart A study will be a report of recommendations intended to inform future processes. The report, to be completed by October 2015, will provide recommendations for a potential future road system that considers access for management activities, public uses, minimizes environmental impacts, and is affordable.
“I encourage interested parties to share comments on specific Forest Service roads that are important to you, or if you have ideas on how to best address maintaining roads with decreasing budgets,” said Forest Supervisor Brenda Halter.
To be included in draft recommendations, public comments must be submitted before Dec. 12, 2014. The public will also be able to comment again early in 2015 after draft recommendations have been compiled.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom 218-370-0244
Darin Fagerman 218-387-9751
Mary Manning 218-475-0121
Leave a Reply