forest map is required

[iaccocca]

Starting as of July 17th a forest map is required - traveling on forest roads or trails not shown - CAN BE CITED - roads will no longer be signed in the field as to premissible uses; maps are free at Forest Services offices.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/news/2010/nr-FSRequiresVisitorsPossessNewMap-20100706.shtml

Thanks ORV Trail Watch for the heads up.

[sams88]

That seems a little on the dense side for the state................ supposed to be a budget crises and now we are doing maps. ???? Just another way to write more tickets I spose.

[Peanut]

Actually from the way I understood it they are using maps instead of signage on the actual trails, with the maps showing only open trails.

Which in turn really means more confusion because the maps usually suck and are hard to read. It also means more people not knowingly traveling on closed trails because a) there is no signage and b) they don't have a map.

This was something that was discussed for the Okanogan/Wenatchee Forest also.


I would much rather see GOOD signage on the trails. Hell I would even volunteer to build them, install them and upkeep them.

[Grumpy]

US Forest Service
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Contact: Renee Bodine
Office: 425-783-6015


Forest Service Requires Visitors Possess New Map


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everett, Wash., July 6, 2010—Visitors driving onto the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will need a map starting July 17 showing them what type of motor vehicle they can use and where they can use them. The maps are free at Forest Service offices. Roads will no longer be signed in the field as to permissible uses.

The map changes how the Forest Service will enforce road closures to motor vehicles on national forests. Those travelling on a forest road, area or trail not shown on the MVUM can be cited.

The map is a result of the 2005 National Travel Management Rule requiring each national forest to assess road systems to limit environmental damage caused by off-highway vehicles, such as jeeps, motorcycles and quads, and to create a uniform system of enforcement across the country. The rule does not apply to snowmobiles.

The entire 1,850 mile road system on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is open to state licensed, street legal vehicles. About 100 miles of forest trails are open to motorbikes and one area, Evans Creek, is open to other vehicles including quads.

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest did not make any changes or close roads to vehicles during this process. “We actually started several decades ago looking at motor vehicle use patterns and making decisions on the use of roads and trails based on public involvement,â€