Lakes Landscape Travel Management

Transcription

1 Decision Notice & Finding of No Significant Impact Lakes Landscape Travel Management USDA Forest Service Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest Archuleta, Hinsdale, and La Plata Counties, Colorado T36-37N, R5W-8W, N.M.P.M. Introduction The Environmental Assessment (EA) associated with this Decision Notice documents four alternatives that were analyzed for resource, social, and economic impacts associated with motorized vehicle uses, dispersed camping and day parking for over-the-ground motorized vehicles within the Lakes Landscape. Over-snow travel will not be addressed in this decision. The EA can be obtained at the Columbine District Office (contact information, page 11). The Lakes Landscape analysis area is located north of Durango and Bayfield and is on the Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest, Colorado. The boundary for this landscape is from the south end of Missionary Ridge at the Forest boundary running northeast along the ridgeline to the Weminuche Wilderness boundary; east along the wilderness boundary to the Columbine District boundary; then southwest along the Piedra Area boundary to the forest boundary and west to the south end of Missionary Ridge (see attached map). The Lakes Landscape consists of approximately 67,600 federal acres, of which approximately 18,600 acres are within a current D travel management prescription. It ranges in elevation from 7,000 feet to 12,000 feet and is composed of the ecosystems of mixed-conifer, spruce and sub-alpine fir. Purpose and Need The purpose for this action is to manage over-the-ground motorized vehicle use within the Columbine Public Lands in accordance with the requirements of the Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212). The Rule requires the FS to designate a system of roads, trails, and areas for motorized use by vehicle class and, if appropriate, by time of year. The designation process will also identify where off road motorized travel for dispersed camping (camping outside of a developed campground) and day use parking will be allowed, and some routes to decommission. The planning process will result in the publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that displays the designated system of roads and trails for motorized travel. The Rule was needed to provide national consistency and clarity on motor vehicle use within the National Forest System.

2 The elimination of unrestricted off road motorized use will help to alleviate resource impacts and social conflicts presently happening in this landscape. This action will attempt to balance the current and future recreational desires of the public with resource impacts to wildlife, damage to wetlands, vegetation loss, soil loss, cultural resource concerns and motorized intrusions into the Weminuche Wilderness. This action will develop a system of roads and trails where motorized travel is appropriate and will strive to improve both the motorized and non-motorized user s experience. Decision Based upon my review of the alternatives and the comments received during the 30-day public comment period, I have decided to implement components of both Alternative 3 and Alternative 4, hereafter referred to as Modified Alternative 4. Alternatives 3 and 4 displayed a variety of motorized opportunities for various types of motorized users while protecting the soils, wetlands, vegetation and wildlife. They addressed social conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users and addressed motorized intrusions into designated Wilderness. By selecting components of both alternatives, I have provided motorized recreational opportunities and addressed the resource concerns. Modified Alternative 4 authorizes the following management actions: Decisions Applicable Across the Entire Landscape All types of over-the-ground motorized travel will be restricted to a designated system of roads and trails. All over-the-ground cross country motorized travel will be prohibited. Wherever resource, safety and other conditions allowed, motorized opportunities are provided. Off road motorized travel is allowed for purposes of camping up to 300 feet from the centerline of designated open roads, provided no resource damage occurs. Unauthorized routes that exceed 300 feet from designated roads will be closed and decommissioned as funding allows. Day-use parking off of a designated National Forest System Road or Trail is allowed within one vehicle length from the edge of the designated road or trail. A resource based seasonal closure to all over-the-ground motorized vehicles is implemented from December 1 st until May 31 st for the Middle Mountain (NFSR 724), East Florida (NFSR 597) roads and motorized trail systems, along with East Vallecito Road (NFSR 603), East Creek Road (NFSR 852), Pine River Road (NFSR 602), and Red Creek Road (NFSR 599). Implementation of this closure will require installation of gates. My decision also includes Design Criteria which were developed to ease some of the potential impacts (EA p. 14 ): Designated motorized trails will be open to motorized vehicles equal to or less than 50 inches in width (unless otherwise noted, such as single track routes). An MVUM will be published in the future showing the designated motorized roads and trails, by vehicle type and time of year. This map will be the officially recognized tool for public information and enforcement. A Special Closure Order and accompanying map will be the enforcement tool for this decision until the MVUM is published. Designated open roads, trails and areas will require signing in accordance with Colorado Natural Resources Group standards. 2

3 Designated open roads and trails will require maintenance, according to FS direction, as funding allows (FSM 2350, FSH 2309, FSM 7730, FSH ). Where designated trails cross existing fence lines, the fence crossings will be built or maintained to protect the intended purpose of the fence while providing for motorized travel. Signing, closure or decommissioning of unauthorized non-system motorized routes will occur as funding allows. FS personnel and user groups will perform annual monitoring of the designated road and trail system to ensure compliance with Forest regulations. Mixed Use analysis mitigation will include: o signing to alert drivers of the possible presence of OHVs on the road and at motorized trail crossings, o brush removal where needed to improve sight distance, o improvements to roadway geometry at specific locations, o modification of road maintenance schedules to allow road surface to remain generally roughened to reduce travel speeds, o signing roadway hazards, o reducing the number of motorized trail intersections, and o re-alignment of motorized trail intersections to improve sight distance. Priorities will be selected by the Line Officer based on recommendations made in the Mixed Use analysis and available funding. Travel Management designations will apply to the general public only. Exceptions will be allowed for permitted activities, administrative use, and emergency access. Prior to opening motorized system trails, that are not located on previously constructed roads or trails, or decommissioning roads, cultural resource clearances will need to be obtained. Clearances will identify required mitigation measures. Decisions Applicable to Middle Mountain Area (Letters A-F correspond to Maps) A. The Middle Mountain road (NFSR 724) and the Mary Murphy Road (MFSR 807) will be seasonally open (June 16-Nov 30) to all motorized vehicle use above the gate at Tuckerville to a parking area just below the Weminuche Wilderness boundary. The parking area (approximately 50 x 50 ) will be constructed in such a way as to provide for a rustic and rudimentary facility that protects the resources: grading and water drainage, possible gravel, barriers to delineate the parking and prevent further vehicle travel, and retention of trees. The area above the gate at Tuckerville will be closed to all over-the-ground motorized vehicles from April 15 th through June 15 th annually, to protect the local bighorn sheep herd during lambing season. In addition, the resource based seasonal closure to all over-the-ground motorized vehicles, applicable across the entire Lakes landscape, will be implemented from December 1 st until May 31 st annually for the Middle Mountain Road (NFSR 724). Motorized designations in the Tuckerville area will be monitored for a three year period after this Decision is implemented (see page 5, below). If users continue to use non-designated routes and create new routes, and destroy the signage and road closures, then a closure to all over-the-ground motorized vehicle use beyond Tuckerville will be put into effect. Middle Mountain road (NFSR 724) below the Tuckerville gate will remain open to all motorized vehicles. 3

4 Spur road NFSR 724.E will remain open for 0.7 mile to all motorized vehicle use. No user made (non-system) road or trail in this area will remain open to motorized use. The current user created non-system routes (approximately two miles) identified above Tuckerville on the attached map, are a priority for decommissioning as money or partners become available. B. Near Beri Park, a closed logging road along with approximately.2 mile of user-made route is designated as a motorized trail. The.2 mile of user-made route requires clearances, heavy maintenance and/or re-construction prior to opening for use by motorized vehicles 50 inches or less. The total loop distance is 3 miles. In the park itself, a spur route is designated to allow camping further than 300 feet from the centerline of Middle Mountain Road. C. Northeast of the gravel pit by approximately ¼ mile, a closed logging road is designated as a loop trail for motorized vehicles 50 inches or less. This loop circles back to the gravel pit and utilizes ¼ mile of the Middle Mountain road. The total loop distance is 2 miles. D. Runlett trail (NFST 530) is designated for motorized vehicles 50 inches or less for the first three miles terminating at milepost 3. E. A gated, closed Forest road (NFSR 724D) west of Cave Basin trailhead is designated as an outand-back trail for motorized vehicles 50 inches or less. The total distance is 2 miles (one-way). F. Six miles of single track trail is designated for motorized use by motorcycles. Connecting the single track trail with sections of NFSR 724 and the 50 inches or less motorized trails, a loop of approximately 15 miles will be available. Prior to any single track trail opening for public use, it will be necessary to complete design, layout, clearances and re-construction to provide a sustainable trail for motorcycles and the anticipated increased use. My decision does not include the total single track mileage as presented in Alt.4 in the EA. See the attached map for approved single track location. Decisions Applicable to East Florida Area The road between Florida Campground and Transfer Park Campground (NFSR 596) and the roads within Transfer Park Campground are closed to non-highway legal vehicles (including ATVs), approximately 1 ½ miles (one-way) of road. Near the end of East Florida road, ¼ mile south of the trailhead parking, a spur route is designated to allow camping further than 300 feet from the centerline of the East Florida Road. Decisions Applicable to National Forest System Roads In addition to roads and trails specifically describe above, the following National Forest System Roads (as shown on the 2005 San Juan National Forest Visitor Map) will remain open to all motorized vehicle use: East Florida (NFSR 597) Spur roads off East Florida (NFSR 597C and 597D) East Creek Road (NFSR 852) Pine River Road (NFSR 602) Forest Roads within eight of the nine campgrounds Durango Hills Road (NFSR 071) from the end of County Road 249 to the FS parking lot 4

5 Management for the following National Forest System Roads is changed: The Red Creek Road (NFSR 599) will be upgraded with gravel surfacing and drainage improvements (approximately 1.1 mile) and a gravel parking lot and trailer turn-around area will be constructed as funding allows. Approximately 0.6 mile of the road beyond the new parking lot will be closed to public motorized use. The East Vallecito Road (NFSR 603) is closed to non-highway legal vehicles from the Vallecito Dam to its intersection with Pine River Road (NFSR 602). Decisions Applicable to Facilities Due to La Plata County s prohibition of non-highway legal vehicles on county roads, it will be imperative that parking facilities be provided on National Forest system lands in the future. These facilities could include parking, toilets, and signing. Current parking locations in the Lakes Landscape are at the gravel pit, 5.5 miles from the bottom of Middle Mountain road (NFSR 774) and on East Florida road (NFSR 597) at the gravel/quarry site, ½ mile above the intersection with Florida/Transfer Park campground road. No facilities are currently in place at these locations but at such time in the future when the FS can implement facilities infrastructure, site specific designs and further analysis will be required. My decision also includes requirements for Monitoring. A requirement of my decision is monitoring of motorized designations in the Tuckerville area for a three year period after the Decision is implemented. Compliance with this Decision becomes the Desired Condition for the area above Tuckerville. Monitoring after the implementation of the Decision will include site visits to determine if signage is in place, road closures are effective, the Tuckerville gate is in place, evidence of vehicles or vehicle tracks into the Wilderness, and new user created non-system motorized routes are visible. Monitoring will be conducted using a reporting form, GPS points and photos by staff, user groups, and volunteers. Annually, the ID Team will meet to review monitoring results and determine whether progress is being made towards meeting the Desired Condition. There should be a visible upward trend in the resource conditions beyond Tuckerville from the current conditions. The actions taken to implement this decision (signs, gate, closures) should, for the most part, remain in place and not be vandalized. If after three years from implementation, the Desired Condition is not being met, or satisfactory progress being made towards meeting it, all over-the-ground motorized use beyond Tuckerville will be prohibited. The Line Officer, in consultation with the Columbine staff, shall determine whether the Desired Condition is being met or satisfactory progress is evident. User-groups and advocacy groups may also be consulted. Beyond the three year period, if monitoring indicates a downward trend, the decision to leave the gate open will be revisited. It is imperative that the motorized user groups help to educate the public about the designated roads and trails. User groups and volunteers will be solicited to help with the monitoring efforts. Monitoring of compliance with this decision will also occur across the entire landscape on a continual basis. Rationale Modified Alternative 4 was chosen to address the issues of resource impacts, motorized intrusions into wilderness, bighorn sheep protection, and social impacts identified during the internal and 5

6 external scoping process. Where resource and safety conditions allowed, this alternative attempts to provide quality motorized opportunities that include scenic vistas, loops and a variety of skill levels. The location of the parking area above Tuckerville would provide for an acceptable turn around and help prevent wilderness motorized intrusions. It allows motorized users to travel to a point just below the wilderness boundary where they can enjoy the scenic vistas by walking a short distance. This alternative also provides an opportunity for motorized users to self patrol and a 3-year time period for them to come into compliance with the motorized designations. If this can be done, the roads would remain open. The seasonal closure dates for the road past Tuckerville are being changed to a spring closure to protect a critical wildlife resource (bighorn lambing season). The previous fall closure is eliminated because this area has no greater reasons (erosion, vegetation) than other areas in the landscape to merit an extended seasonal closure. It would also be inconsistent with other closures on the district and efforts of the San Juan Public lands to standardize seasonal closure dates. Seasonal closure dates for gates on Forest roads are designed to avoid road damage when weather conditions are such that motorized travel will cause rutting and erosion from saturation. Having both a fall and spring closure would allow summer motorized access only from June 15 through Sept 10, which I considered too restrictive given the resource conditions and may cause too large an economic impact on the Vallecito motorized-based businesses. The fall closure was likely created partially in response to concerns with high ATV volume and large amounts of wilderness intrusions during hunting season. By creating the parking area away from the wilderness boundary and by implementing the monitoring plan, that concern is mitigated and the fall closure is no longer necessary. The closure to ATVs and other non-highway legal vehicles on the Transfer Park Road between Florida Campground and Transfer Park Campground and the road within Transfer Park Campground provides an option for a quiet-use campground. Florida Campground and the Florida Group Area, as well as the campgrounds around Vallecito, remain open to all motorized vehicle use, providing options for campgrounds for ATV users. The first three miles of Runlett Park trail (NFST 530) are open to motorized vehicles 50 inches or less in width, but this designated trail no longer allows motorized use to the private property boundary. This allows for a motorized trail to exist while providing for a better turn-around location and reduces the potential for private land trespass issues. Allowing motorized riders to drop down the steep hill past milepost three creates an undesirable situation for the user. The forest road is visible at the private property line and users are tempted to trespass in order to reach it. There are no loop opportunities for ATVs beyond the steep hill due to the private property and the county road. However, there will be loop opportunities for single track users west of the turn around after the single-track trails are designed and constructed. Providing some trails that are open to motorcycles only helps to meet a demand and public request for a different experience of riding a single-track trail. One segment of single-track I did not approve that was presented in Alternative 4, was eliminated due to safety concerns that overshadow the enhanced user experience. This short segment of trail (approximately 600 feet) would have crossed the Middle Mountain road (a level III-high standard road) in a location with poor sight distance. I also did not approve a single-track segment (approximately two miles) that drops down to County Road 501. The final ¼ mile of this trail segment is located on Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) lands which are under a Resource Management Plan designating this area as a Wildlife Management Area. 6

7 This designation allows for limited recreational uses such as hiking, wildlife observation and other passive uses. This single-track trail segment also ends on the county road, where non-street legal vehicles are prohibited under county regulations. There were more single-track segments that were suggested by the public that were not included in Alternative 4 for various resource reasons (see EA p.15, Alternative Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis). The gravel surfacing of the open portion of the Red Creek Road (NFSR 599), along with closure of the end segment to public motorized use will reduce the soil erosion along Red Creek, and will improve the currently poor access conditions that are associated with the native surface of this road. There were no resource reasons identified for the closure of spurs off the East Florida Road; these spurs are currently open, in acceptable shape, and provide the only opportunities for vehicles to get away from the main road in this area. Therefore, I opted to leave them open. I decided to include designation of short spurs to two areas because they are well-established and popular camping areas. It is important to provide a few places where campers can get further than 300 feet away from the main road, and since these sites are already impacted, they were logical choices at which to provide this opportunity. No new impacts will be associated with this designation. Only a small part of Beri Park extends beyond 300 feet from the road, and the advantage of keeping this area open to dispersed camping outweighs the small amount of resource benefits that would be gained in closing this section of spur road. The East Vallecito Road (NFSR 603) closure to non-highway legal vehicles is due to traffic volumes, travel speeds and crash probability displayed in the mixed use analysis. It receives heavy use by RVs, vehicles with campers, and vehicles pulling camper trailers, horse trailers and boats. Much of this traffic is from forest visitors traveling to and from the three campgrounds and the one day use area along East Vallecito road. This road also receives use by private land owners which must utilize this road to access their property. It was determined that designating the road for use by highway legal vehicles only would be the most effective means for reducing the probability of accidents between highway-legal and non-highway legal vehicles. The mixed use analysis is available in the project file. Seasonal closure dates for gates on Forest roads are designed to avoid road damage when weather conditions are such that motorized travel will cause rutting and erosion from saturation and to be as consistent as possible with other Forest road closures. Other Alternatives Considered In addition to the two alternatives that were combined into the selected alternative, I considered two other alternatives in detail. A comparison of these alternatives can be found in the EA on pages I did not choose Alternative 1-No Action because it does not meet the intent of the 2005 Travel Management Rule, to alleviate resource impacts and sustain the health of the forest. The TM rule requires designation of roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use and requires designations by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. It prohibits the use of motorized travel off the designated system of roads and trails. This alternative would not address mixed use or off road travel for dispersed camping. This alternative is the existing condition and was used as a basis for comparison of impacts between the alternatives. 7

8 I did not choose Alternative 2- Existing National Forest System Roads and Trails because the only motorized trail that would have been designated under this alternative is the Runlett Park trail. This alternative would require that all motorized travel be restricted to existing open National Forest system roads and trails. Cross-country motorized travel by ATVs and motorcycles in the existing D areas of the Lakes Landscape would no longer be allowed. This would not provide adequate opportunities for motorized use, which is a recognized and valid use of forest lands. With increasing demands for motorized recreation, it would not be realistic to choose an alternative that would not provide a reasonable amount of roads and trails designated for motorized uses. Public Involvement The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions beginning in October 2006, which is available on-line and through quarterly mailings to anyone who wishes to see it. A public meeting was held in November, 2006 to introduce the Travel Management Rule, and the initiation of the Lakes Landscape analysis. The proposal was also provided to the public and other agencies for comment during formal scoping beginning in July 2007, through a press release and scoping letter. Two public meetings were held during July 2007, and a field trip was held in August. In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the agency sent tribal consultation letters to the 25 area Tribes, Chapter Houses and Pueblos with either an identified cultural affiliation, or an expressed interest in the cultural resources of the San Juan Public Lands. Public comment opportunity continued for a 30-day period beginning in May 2008 following the issuance of the EA in pre-decisional form. The comment period was announced with a press release, direct mailing to those who previously showed interest and a legal notice in the Durango Herald published on May 8, Responses were received from 28 sources and responded to in the Response to Comments in the project file. Opinions and suggestions ranged from leaving the current D areas open to cross country motorized travel, to restricting all motorized uses to existing National Forest System Roads. There was equal support for closing or leaving open the Middle Mountain road (NFSR 724) at Tuckerville. Using scoping comments from internal specialists, the public, and permittees, the interdisciplinary team developed a list of issues to address. Main issues of public concern included (EA p.6): 1. Resource Impacts; 2. Social Impacts; 3. The Road Beyond Tuckerville; and 4. Economic Impacts. These issues were analyzed and compared in the four alternatives. Finding of No Significant Impact After considering the environmental effects described in the EA, I have determined that these actions will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment considering the context and intensity of impacts (40 CFR ). Thus, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. I base my finding on the following: 1. Beneficial and adverse impacts were considered and there will be only localized short-term adverse effects. The overall long-term effects will result in a more sustainable ecosystem within the project area (EA Chapter 3). 2. Public health and safety will be improved by eliminating a segment of mixed use, by signing, and by eliminating numerous safety hazards of un-designed trails (ES p.22+). 8

9 3. There will be no significant effects on unique characteristics or ecologically critical areas. Impacts will be reduced to historic or cultural resources (EA p.47), wetlands (EA p.18), and wilderness (EA p.28). There are no park lands, prime farmlands, or wild and scenic rivers in the project area. 4. The effects on the quality of the human environment are not likely to be highly controversial, because there is no known scientific controversy over the impacts of the project. Public scoping and comment period did not reveal any controversial effects (EA p.6). 5. The effects analysis shows the effects are not uncertain, and do not involve unique or unknown risks. 6. The action will not establish a precedent for future actions that may have significant effect on the environment. It does not represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. 7. Cumulative effects of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects have been considered and evaluated in addition to the impacts of this project. No significant cumulative impacts were identified (EA Chapter 3). 8. The action will have no significant adverse effect on districts, sites, highways, structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The action will also not cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical resources (EA p.47). 9. The action may effect, but is not likely to adversely affect, Canada lynx. The action will not affect any other endangered or threatened species or their habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered Species act of 1973 (EA pp. 32). The affects to the lynx species is negligible and insignificant, and is due to the habitat loss of 3.8 acres due to new single-track construction. 10. The action complies with Federal, State, and local laws or requirements for the protection of the environment. Government agencies were consulted on the analysis and no objections were raised to implementing either of the action alternatives. Findings of Compliance The project was designed in conformance with Forest Plan direction, standards, and guidelines (EA p.3). This decision to implement Modified Alternative 4 is consistent with the intent of the Forest Plan's long term goals and objectives, and helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in the plan. The Forest Plan provides the framework for the action proposed here, and we are undertaking the action as one step in implementing the Forest Plan, as required by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA, P.L ) and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA, P.L ). A Wildlife Review was conducted and the analysis determined that the proposed project will not contribute to, or involve any extraordinary circumstances that would affect the Forest-wide viability of any populations of San Juan National Forest Management Indicator Species (MIS), U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern for the Colorado Plateau/Southern Rockies 9

10 Geographic Area, Colorado State Threatened and Endangered birds, or birds listed in the Colorado Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan for the Southern Rocky Mountains. The Forest Plan provides for viability, in part by providing 4B Management Areas well distributed across the Forest to ensure maintenance of MIS habitat. There will be no negative impacts to habitat trends of San Juan National Forest MIS, and five MIS will benefit from long-term habitat changes brought about by the project. The selected alternative complies with requirements of the National Forest Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Clean Water and Air Acts. The project is in compliance with Executive Order on Environmental Justice. According to US Census Bureau 2000 data, the populations of La Plata County, Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio are not predominantly minority or low-income populations. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is subject to administrative review (appeal) pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 215. To be eligible to appeal this decision on this project, an individual or group must have provided a comment or otherwise expressed interest in this project during the comment period (36 CFR (pre-2003 regulations)). Appeals, including attachments, must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of legal notice of this decision in the Durango Herald, the newspaper of record. Attachments received after the 45 day appeal period will not be considered. The publication date in the Durango Herald, is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal. Those wishing to appeal this decision should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. Notices of Appeal that do not meet the content requirements of 36 CFR will be dismissed. It is an appellant s responsibility to provide sufficient activity-specific evidence and rationale focusing on the decision to show why the Deciding Officer s decision should be reversed. Appeals filed under 36 CFR, Part 215, must be submitted (by regular mail, hand-delivery, or express delivery) to: USDA Forest Service Region 2, Appeals Deciding Officer, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401, or (by fax) to The office business hours for those submitting handdelivered appeals are 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic appeals must be submitted in a format such as an message,.rtf,.pdf, or.doc to appeals-rocky-mountain-regional-office@fs.fed.us. In cases where no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification. For electronically mailed appeals, the sender should receive an automatic electronic acknowledgement as confirmation that the agency received the appeal; if the sender does not receive an automatic acknowledgment, it is the sender s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means. Appellants are required to simultaneously send a copy of the Notice of Appeal to the Appeal Deciding Officer, Mark Stiles, Forest Supervisor - Center Manager, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301; or to: appeals-rocky-mountain-san-juan@fs.fed.us. 10

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12 Modified Alternative 4 Lakes Landscape Overview A E 80 F 724. E D C 59 Gravel Pit & Parking 7. C B Beri Park CR B 59 D F Legend Gate - Existing 4 Gate - New Vallecito Campground Motorized Trails 602 C R 22 7 Parking 50" or less Motorcycle only 596 Roads 24 Closed 3 Not FS/BLM jurisdiction Open to all vehicles JER NAD 83, Polyconic Projection Created: August 5, 2008 Open to highway legal vehicles only Priority routes to decommission Lakes Landscape Special Areas National Forest C R 50 1 Wilderness The USFS and BLM attempt to use the most current and complete geospatial data available. Geospatial data accuracy varies by theme on the map. Using this map for other than their intended purpose may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The USFS and BLM reserve the right to correct, update or modify geospatial inputs without notification. Patented Lands A, B, C... - Refer to Document R 85 C Miles 7

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14 97.D Modified Alternative 4 East Florida Area Detail 5 C B 59 Legend Gate - New Parking 1.8 Miles C R JER NAD 83, Polyconic Projection Created: August 5, 2008 The USFS and BLM attempt to use the most current and complete geospatial data available. Geospatial data accuracy varies by theme on the map. Using this map for other than their intended purpose may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The USFS and BLM reserve the right to correct, update or modify geospatial inputs without notification Roads Closed Not FS/BLM jurisdiction Open to all vehicles Open to highway legal vehicles only Lakes Landscape Wilderness National Forest Private Lands