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I RARE II, proposed BlM ; regulations will affect ORV t use Questions & Answers Proposed OffRoad Vehicle Regulations Bureau of Land Management MIC estimates RARE II impact The Motorcycle Indwtry Council h4s waded through the environmental impact statement regional supplements of the Forest Service Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II) and have figured an estimation of the bottom line - what it's all going to mean to the motorcyclist. Checlc out the chart and the map and then read the interview with the AMA s Rob Rasor on p. 16 to find out what you can do about it. Field estimates indicate that almost 4,2 million days of off-road vehicle we toolc pl4ce on Forest Service lands in 1977. (The Forest Service defines a day of off-road vehicle we as 12 hours of we by one person, one hour of we by 12 persons, or any other eqw'valent combinatJ'on.) If implemented, the van'ow wilderness alternatives descn'bed in the RARE II environmental statement would result in the following impacts on this CUf'f'ent level of we: Altemative Description NQ action is to be taken at A [mpact (Absolute) None How would the proposed regulations affect DRV recreation on the public lands? Impact (Percentage) None the p~t time; allocation B C D E F G H - J 14 decisions for the inventoried roadless areas will continue to be made through the Forest Service land management planning procesa. All of the inventoried roadless areas are allocated to nonwildemess uses. Output of commodities is emphasized by allocating roadless areas with high resource values to nonwilderness uses, but consideration is also given to areas with particularly high wiIdemes attributes ratings. Wilderness attributes are emphasized through identi· fication of roadless areas with high attribute ratings for wilderness, but consideration is also ,given to areas with especially high resource values. Low-level achievement of landform, ecosystem, wild· life, and accessibility representation is identified for wilderness. A moderate-level achievement for the same characteristics as alternative E is identified for wilderness; further planning is proposed for additional areas with high wilderness attribute ratings. A high-level achievement of the same characteristics as alternatives E and F is identified for wilderness. Appropriate roadless areas are identified for either wildeiness or allocated to nonwilderness uses, re.f1ecting the Forest Service's perception of regional and/or local issues. Wilderness attributes are emphasized by identifying roadless areas with high attribute ratings for wilderness while giving secondary consideration to very high resource outputs. All of the' inventoried areas are identified for wilderness. I' None -204,000 days None -5% - -157,100 days -4% -118.200 day. -!% -151.!OO days -4% -488,000 days -12% -!!O,200 day. -8% -5504,500 days -u% -1.8!2,400 day. -44% It is important to note that the final selection of Forest Service wilderness areas will probably not conform exactly to any of the 10 specific alternatives. Instead, the final selection will probably represent a merging of the features of several of the alternatives. Therefore, it is conceivable that the heavy impact in the Western states could be alter.ed to some extent, The national impact, of RARE II on off-road vehicle opportunities could also be altered slightly. Generally, however, this analysis does represent the range of possible impacts that the RARE II process could have on recreational n'ding on Forest Service lands, The regulations set up a system for BLM, to follow in designating public lands as "open" to ORV's, "limited" for ORV use or "closed" to ORV use. They also specify that BLM will have maps, signs and postings so that you may know where you can ride and where you cannot. They also set up safety standards for drivers and vehicles. How • would the proposed regulations affect me when I drive on public land? They will govern where and how you drive. Some areas will be open to ORV·s. while in other areas you can ride only on ellisting roads and trails. Some areas will be closed. The rules are also intended to help make offroad driving safe, prevent conflicts with other public land uses and minimize damage to environment from off-road driving. Why are regulations necessary? Because off-road vehicles can and have damaged the public lands and their resources. Some ORV activities are hard on vegetation, causing soil erosion and deterioration of watersheds. Unintentional, or indiscriminate use has a[[ected imponant plant and animal life and disturbed or destroyed significant cultural sites. Protection of the land and its resources is required by laws and ellecutive orders and that is the primary reason for the regulations. Does this meen thIIt the Government disapproves of DRV usa? No. ORV recreation is recognized as an acceptable use of the public lands and one for which BLM must make provision. This lias been emphasized many times by the Secretary of the Interior. At the same time BLM has a responsibility to protect other resources and the pubhc. What does an "open" designation mean? An "open" designation means off-road driving is permitted. What about "limited..? In a "limited" area, ORV use can continue under cenain rules set for that area. The rules may set times of use or kinds of activities that are acceptable. In some cases the rules will limit ORV use to existing roads and trails. The rules that apply will be posted in these "limited" areas. What does a "closed" designation mean? Off-road driving IS prohibited. However, some "closed" designations may be temporary. For what reasons would a closure be temporary? BLM may temporarily close or limit off-road driving in an area, if it finds that the vehicles are damaging other resources because of wet or dry weather conditions, or if there is a . danger of fire hazards, for ellample. BLM may also open areas that have been closed. How will I know where to drive. and what areas are closed or limited? Maps, signs and postings will be prepamd. to. guide ~u_ The JOapl-will be available in and distributed by local BLM offices. How will BLM select areas thIIt will be open to ORV use? Open areas and trails will be selected where o[[-road driving Wlll not cause signifICant damage to soil, watersheds, vegetation and other resources. The Bureau will also try to confine use to areas where there will be the least conflict with livestock operations, wildlife and other recreational users. When wit these ~ go into effect? The public will have 60 days to review these proposed regulations and make comments on them. BLM will review these comments and make appropriate changes before final regulations are issued some time later. Will I have any sey in how areas are designated "open," "limited.. or "closed"? Yes. Decisions will be made th~ough the Bureau's land use planning system, which requires public involvement in all planning decisions. When will BLM meke DRV designations? We ellpect 60 percent of the major ORV use areas will be designated as open, closed or limited by 1981. All designations are ellpected to be made by 1987. BLM will make the first designations on those areas, of public land now most heavily used by offroad drivers. Wdl I be able to drive an off-roed vehicle in natural. primitive and wilderness areas? You may be allowed to drive in natural areas if the appropriate BLM officer determines that ORV's will not a[[ect natural, scenic or scientific values. Primitive areas and designated wilderness areas will be closed to ORV's. I urodet stand thIIt many areas are now being considered for wiIdemess designation. Can I op81at8 an DRV on the public lands before these designations are final? Yes. Permits will continue to be issued for competitive, or commercial ORV use in accordance with ellisting laws to protect the wilderness characteristics of a study area. Can I take a camper onto an 81'88 being studied for possible Inclusion in the wilderness system? Yes, motorized camping is allowed under similar conditions. It will not be allowed in a wilderness area after it has been designated by Congress as a pan of the wilderness system. What rules will I need to follow in operating an DRV on public lands? You will need to continue to follow any State laws or regulations that apply to ORV·s. These proposed regulations say additionally that you cannot drive recklessly, carelessly or negligently; faster than established speed limits; or under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Nor are you permitted to drive in a way that could unduly damage or disturb soil, wildlife and wildlife habitat, fencing, water facilities, reservoirs, ruins, petroglyphs, buildings, vegetation or other land resources. Lighted head or taillights are also required from sunset to sunrise. ' Will thesa regulations keep me from racing on the public lands? These proposed regulations state that you must follow established speed limits, unless you have a permit. Another set of regulations tells how you can obtain a permit. Your local BLM office can assist you. Do the proposed safety standards apply to my vehicle's condition? Yes. You must have the following: brakes in good repair; spark arresters in those areas where they are required;