Recreation Effects Report Travel Management

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southwestern Region Recreation Effects Report Travel Management Camino Real Ranger District Carson National Forest September 2013 /s/ Kathryn Furr 9/25/2013 KATHRYN FURR East Zone NEPA Planner Date

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3 Introduction The Camino Real Ranger District (RD) (319,439 acres) offers something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Developed opportunities, such as official campgrounds, trailheads, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, provide for people who prefer having facilities. Developed campgrounds have picnic tables, grills, and tent sites. Developed trailheads have parking spaces and kiosks with maps and information. Since no alternative proposes to change access to developed facilities, this subject will not be discussed further. All routes to developed sites would continue to be open for motor vehicle use. This analysis uses the most recent national visitor use monitoring (NVUM) data collected on the Carson NF in 2008 (USDA 2009). The NVUM survey does have limitations. Surveys are collected at specific recreational sites in the forest. Small sites used by few people (i.e., local motor vehicle use) may not be captured. Unrecorded recreational visits may represent a significant contribution to one type of recreation, so the survey results may be low. Visitors who agree to be interviewed are considered to be representative of the entire population of visitors. The NVUM data is collected on the entire forest and is assumed to represent visitor use on the Camino Real RD. Despite these limitations, it is widely accepted that the NVUM data is very useful for planning and decisionmaking. Visitors to the Camino Real RD are predominantly local, coming from Taos, Angel Fire, and the local communities within and surrounding the national forest. The majority of visitors to the district come for the purpose of recreation. The NVUM found nonmotorized recreation accounted for over 40 percent of people s activities. The survey showed the four main activities are hiking or walking (40 percent), viewing natural features (32 percent), relaxing (27 percent), and viewing wildlife (23 percent). Excluding skiing and snowboarding, visitors interviewed for the survey identified hiking and viewing natural features as their top two primary activities on the Carson NF. The NVUM report showed almost 15 percent of people said they come to the forest to drive for pleasure, while 2.4 percent of those who come to the forest do so for the primary purpose of riding off-highway vehicles (USDA 2009). The percentage of visitors that come to the Camino Real RD for the primary purpose of riding off-highway vehicles may be greater than that of the forest at large since the Camino Real RD has more miles of motorized trails than any other ranger district. Surveys show as the density of motor vehicles increase in an area, these visitors enjoyment of an area decreases (Behan et al. 2000). Visitors that participate in motorized recreation feel differently. Motorized trail users are significantly more likely to feel access for motorized activities is more important than do nonmotorized users; however, both types of users support nonmotorized trails and access at similar levels (Andereck et al. 2001). These studies generally all support the point that road access benefits some people while negatively affecting others. Recreational Use of Roads On the Camino Real RD, motor vehicle use is authorized on approximately 350 miles of NFS roads. Of the 350 miles of designated road on the district, approximately 216 (62%) are ML 2, which means they are managed for high-clearance vehicles. The remaining 134 miles of road 1

4 (38%) are ML 3 to 5 and are managed for passenger car use. Maintenance level 2 roads provide the majority of motorized access to the Camino Real RD for most recreational and other purposes (i.e., hunting, camping, access to trailheads, and firewood gathering). Many local residents and visitors enjoy using the district s designated transportation system for motorized/mechanized forms of recreation, such as jeep/4x4 driving, ATV and motorcycle riding, and mountain biking. Off-road motor vehicle use on the district was restricted in 1977 following Executive Orders, E.O and E.O The 1977 closure was modified and expanded in 1986 with implementation of the Carson forest plan (USDA 1986c) that ended cross-country motorized travel over 70 percent of the district and required motor vehicle use only on designated roads, within specified corridors adjacent to designated roads (for the purposes of parking, camping, and firewood gathering), or on designated motorized trails. Traffic on designated roads is considered moderate (25 to 30 vehicles use the open roads on daily basis, weather permitting), usually consisting of administrative, permitted, dispersed recreational opportunities, hunting, firewood gathering, medicinal plant gathering, motorized recreation (sightseeing), or other specialized uses. During holiday weekends, motor vehicle use could be considered heavy, with upwards of an estimated 50 vehicles per day using NFS roads. Designated roads are mostly used by the visiting public between Memorial Day and Labor Day to access certain areas for sightseeing, viewing wildlife, camping, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, family reunions, ATV use, mountain biking, fishing, and antler gathering. The local populace continues to use NFS roads until late December, pending closure by snow conditions. District roads are used for some commercial activities, but are more commonly driven for noncommercial uses, such as firewood gathering, digging up seedlings and saplings, collecting plants, or for other forest product uses. Designated roads are also used by hunters during turkey season (April-May; in April hunters may have to walk in) and deer and elk seasons (September- December). Locals drive NFS roads to find and cut a Christmas tree in late November and December. Motor vehicle use on the district s designated road system is also needs-based or related to subsistence, such as forest product (e.g., vigas, latillas, firewood) removal, medicinal plant collecting, and hunting. Most recreational activities on the district are dependent on motor vehicles for access to the site of the activity, but in general most forest visitors stay on the main roads. For example, the NVUM found Hiking/Walking as the second most popular of all activities on the forest, after the seasonal downhill skiing, and is often dependent on vehicular access to trailheads via forest roads. It is assumed that most of the 960,000 visitors on the Carson NF captured in the NVUM survey used vehicles, including OHVs, on NFS roads to gain access to their chosen activity site. In other words, a large majority of forest users primarily use main roads to pursue activities such as hiking and walking. Far fewer visitors use high-clearance forest roads. Motor vehicle use on the Camino Real RD is currently allowed from May 1 to Dec 31 along Forest Road (FR) 5, FR 437, FR 438, FR 439, FR 440, FR 442, FR 476, FR 478, and FR 114. The reason for limiting motor vehicle use on these roads during the winter and early spring is to significantly reduce disturbance from motor vehicles during an important survival period for resident wildlife. Although the current designations are mainly for protecting key wildlife wintering and calving areas, wet soil conditions preclude use of many roads and trails into late spring and early summer, especially in the more mountainous regions of the district. Motorized recreationists usually begin visiting the Camino RD for the summer on or about the Memorial 2

5 Weekend. The only areas of the district where no seasonal designations have been established are where cross-country motorized travel is currently allowed (i.e., Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, and Warm Springs). Recreation in Cross-country Motorized Travel Areas and Corridors Over 30 percent (100,672 ac) of the Camino Real RD is open to cross-country motorized travel, which is mostly in the southwestern part of the district. The amount of cross-country motorized travel that occurs on the district is unknown; however, use in the northern part of the district is greater than in the southern portion. It is also common during the firewood season for wood gatherers to drive their vehicles directly to the dead trees and downed woody material they want to remove. Motorized travel on unauthorized routes also occurs. Hunters use cross-country motorized travel areas, primarily with ATVs, for hunting and big game (deer and elk) retrieval. There are no destination areas on the Camino Real RD, where recreationists can go and ride ATVs. The Camino Real RD currently has approximately 152 miles of designated road and 6 miles of motorized trail with a specified 300-foot corridor, where motor vehicle use is permitted for the purposes of camping, parking, and firewood gathering. On the district, motor vehicle use in specified corridors is primarily for dispersed camping, which is defined as camping from or in a motor vehicle (i.e., motor home, RV, or pick-up truck), outside a developed campground. Dispersed camping is very popular on Camino Real RD, with use levels varying by season for specific elevations or vegetation types. This type of camping experience is sought in many places, including along roads in remote locations, near lakes, creeks and rivers, or in quiet and secluded parts of the district. During the summer, hundreds of people come from nearby communities, other parts of New Mexico, and surrounding states to escape the heat and relax in the high mountain forests of Camino Real RD. Many campers come on the weekends, particularly on holiday weekends. Predictably, higher elevation areas that can easily be accessed by a forest road, receive most of the dispersed camping use. Many dispersed campsites are located in areas with good views, near water, or in shaded forest areas. Most of the sites were established years ago and continue to be used again and again by succeeding generations of campers. Some of the highly used portions of the district include Garcia Park and along the Rio Chiquito, Rio de las Ollas (Pot Creek), Rio Grande de Ranchos (Little Rio Grande), Rio Santa Barbara, and Rio Trampas. Over the past several years, district employees have traversed the current forest motorized transportation system roads and located dispersed recreation sites on the ground by using one or more of the following criteria: (1) evidence of an unauthorized route; (2) rock assembled into a fire ring; (3) burned wood in a fire ring; (4) game pole suspended above the ground; or (5) other evidence of use as a camping location. Thirty-nine dispersed campsites have been identified on the Camino Real RD. The majority of these are immediately adjacent to roads open to motor vehicle use and within existing 300-foot corridors or where cross-country motorized travel is permitted. Motorized Trails Motorized trails have been on the Camino Real Ranger District since The 1986 forest plan travel guide and map designated 67.5 miles of motorized trails for motorcycles and ATVs under 3

6 40 inches wide. Some of the motorized trails are located on old roadbeds. The increased popularity of off-highway vehicles, especially favoring wider models of OHVs, has resulted in a shift in use and changed the trails. Through popular use, the designated motorcycle trails on the Camino Real RD have been widened, permitting use of larger off-road vehicles. Motorized recreational opportunities are an important part of Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort s summer operations. A network of motorized/motorcycle trails is located in the Sipapu/Las Mochas/La Junta area along State Highway 518. The Sipapu Resort, in conjunction with local, state, and national organizations, often sponsors motor vehicle related activities (motorcycle trials events) to draw participants from local areas and outside of New Mexico. Participants and visitors often come from New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to escape the summer heat or to just relax. The original proposed action issued to the public in 2009 proposed to convert motorized trails on the south side of State Highway 518 to nonmotorized trails. The Sipapu Resort and others provided comments on the Camino Real RD s proposal expressing concern the proposed action would have a negative effect on summer and fall motorized recreation-based economy. The ski area and others indicated the proposed changes to the motorized transportation system (including the roads and trails listed in promotion material produced by Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort) may severely reduce motorized recreation around the ski area and subsequently have negative economic impacts. Others were concerned the proposed action could substantially restrict where visitors can go on the forest and result in a less enjoyable recreational experience. A diminished experience may affect whether visitors return to the Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort vicinity in the future. The ski area and others indicated a desire to increase the available motorized opportunities. In addition to scoping comments related to the motorized trail system near Sipapu Resort, growing businesses and some residents of Angel Fire expressed interest in being able to use more of the national forest adjacent to the community for motorized recreation. Some commenters proposed developing trails within the Angel Fire community that would continue onto the NFS lands. Currently, motor vehicle use near or adjacent to Angel Fire is restricted to designated roads and motorized trails. A network of nonmotorized trails exists in the area and is heavily used by Taos, Taos Canyon, and Angel Fire residents, as well as summer visitors. During scoping, local residents and business owners in the Angel Fire area requested a proposal that designated more routes to be added to the designated transportation system for motor vehicle use. In reviewing scoping comments from both the public and Forest Service specialists, it became apparent that further study and a comprehensive motorized trail plan for the district were needed, prior to considering any changes to Camino Real RD s motorized trail system. The forest supervisor (responsible official) chose to focus this analysis and subsequent decision on meeting the primary purpose and intent of the Travel Management Rule to designate NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for motor vehicle use (36 CFR ). This does not preclude a planning effort that considers motorized routes or use areas that are not currently part of the existing motorized transportation system at a later date. Any such future proposals would require in-depth NEPA analysis. 4

7 Hunting The Camino Real RD is a popular hunting area. Most hunting occurs in the fall, except turkey which is permitted in the spring. Generally hunts result in motor vehicle use after Labor Day. As motor vehicle use from the summer recreation season dies down, hunter traffic increases in concert with firewood cutters, resulting in steady traffic during October, November, and into December on many of the less used high-clearance (ML 2) forest roads. It is estimated that almost 2,100 hunters use the district each year for hunting all types of game, including turkey, bear, grouse, deer, and elk. The district encompasses game management units (GMU) 45, and 48 (dividing line is NM 518). During the , the NM Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) had 1,000 deer and 1,045 elk licenses available for GMUs 45 and 48. The average success rate is estimated to be about 30 percent for deer and about 35 percent for elk. Since all of GMU 48 is on the Camino Real RD and about one-half of GMU 45, an estimated 575 deer and 735 elk hunters use district roads between September and December, pending closure by snow or inclement weather conditions. Deer and elk hunting seasons are from September to December. Depending on the preference of the hunter, hunting occurs over the entire GMU, including areas where motor vehicle use is prohibited (wilderness, wilderness study areas, and inventoried roadless areas). In these areas, hunters usually use horses to access the wilderness, camp, and retrieve downed animals. Outside of these areas, hunters may pull off a road and camp from their vehicles and retrieve a downed animal using a motor vehicle within a cross-country motorized travel permitted. It is unknown how many successful hunters actually drive off the road to retrieve game. Motor vehicle use within Camino Real RD s existing 300-foot corridor system by the forest plan is only for the purpose of parking, camping, and firewood gathering, and does not include big game (deer and elk) retrieval. Designated roads are also used by hunters during turkey season (April-May). Turkey hunters must walk in on foot or horseback in areas of the district where a seasonal restriction on motor vehicle use is applied in April. Today, high clearance all-wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive ATVs, and other specialty vehicles allow easy access to even the most rugged and remote areas of the forest during every period of the year, including during hunting seasons, and offer access over every type of road in nearly every weather condition. The resultant damage to roads and surrounding land has increased in recent years as each year more specialized equipment and methods have been used to access many areas of the forest. Hunting is an important part of the lifestyle for both local residents and those outside the area. When commenting on travel management, the NMDGF encouraged the Forest Service to consider hunting-related OHV activities similar to any other recreational OHV activity that occurs on USFS lands and apply appropriate restrictions equally (8/27/2006 comment letter). In other words, when the Forest Service is proposing to designate a system of roads and trails to comply with the Travel Management Rule, hunters should not be singled out and treated differently than other recreationists. Nonmotorized Recreation The majority of visitors to the district come for the purpose of recreation. The NVUM found nonmotorized recreation accounted for over 40 percent of people s activities on the Carson NF. The survey showed the four main activities are hiking or walking (40 percent), viewing natural 5

8 features (32 percent), relaxing (27 percent), and viewing wildlife (23 percent) (USDA 2009). Excluding skiing and snowboarding, visitors interviewed for the survey identified hiking and viewing natural features as their top two primary activities on the forest. Although a large number of visitors come to hike or view natural features, these people use vehicles to get to places where they participate in nonmotorized activities, like hiking, camping, or horseback riding. While the district offers many opportunities for motorized recreation, it also is heavily used for nonmotorized recreational activities, such as backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Much of the experience of a forest user strongly depends on the availability of areas for their use. Roads and trails allow for access to forest users to pursue preferred recreational activities. Motorized access is important and relevant for all forest visitors, not just those that prefer motorized-based recreation activities. Though many people consider motorized access a very beneficial attribute of recreational use, motor vehicle use in many areas would detract from the recreational experience of visitors. Camino Real RD has 217 miles of nonmotorized trails that are scattered around the district. With the exception of the motorized loop up Capulin Canyon, most of the motorized trails are concentrated in the Rio Pueblo Canyon. Nonmotorized users tend to avoid using the motorized trails. Trailheads off FR 161 (Alamitos), FR 116 (Rio Santa Barbara Campground), FR 207 (Trampas) provide access to nonmotorized trails leading into the Pecos Wilderness. In the northern portion of the Camino Real RD the South Boundary Trail (FT 164) and the Elliot Barker Trail (FT 1) are popular with nonmotorized users. Environmental Consequences Table 1 summarizes the changes made in each alternative that may affect recreation opportunities on the Camino Real RD. Table 1. Summary of actions that may affect recreation opportunities by alternative Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Existing Condition Miles of road restricted to administrative use only 2 Miles of unauthorized route segments added as NFS road open to all vehicles Miles of NFS trail to be closed to motor vehicle use Miles of NFS road converted to NFS trail for vehicles <50 wide Miles (acres) of existing 300 corridor removed along roads 16 (1,435 ac) 152 (11,125 ac) 0 (0 ac) -- 6

9 Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Existing Condition Miles (acres) of existing 300 corridor removed along trails Purpose for motor vehicle use within corridors Additional seasonal designations 6 (220 ac) Dispersed camping & big game (deer and elk) retrieval Allow motor vehicle use May 1 - Dec 31 on all NFS roads in: Warm Springs Entrañas Alamitos East and West Fork of Luna Creek 6 (220 ac) N/A Allow motor vehicle use May 1 - Dec 31 on all NFS roads in: Warm Springs Entrañas Alamitos East and West Fork of Luna Creek 0 -- Dispersed camping & big game (deer and elk) retrieval No change Parking, camping, & firewood gathering Motor vehicle use allowed May 1 - Dec 31 on all designated NFS roads (FR) and designated motorized trails (FT), except in: Warm Springs Entrañas Alamitos East and West Fork of Luna Creek 1 All mileage and acres estimates are based on data generated through a geographic information system (GIS) 2 These roads would not be available for general public use and would not be displayed on the MVUM Recreational Use of Roads Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would reduce the transportation system on the Camino Real RD by 32 miles of road, leaving 318 miles open to public use. The 32 miles are road segments scattered across the ranger district, where motor vehicle use would be restricted to administrative use only and not displayed on the motor vehicle use map (MVUM). This alternative does not remove any of the major forest roads on the district that are frequently used for pleasure driving, sightseeing, dispersed camping, and hunting. Some of the road segments to be removed are extensions of forest roads that do not connect with other roads. For example, under this alternative motor vehicle use would not be allowed on 3.5 miles of FR 441. Since FR 441 does not connect with another road or lead to a major recreation site, impacts to recreationists would be small. Other segments to be removed create shortcuts between two main forest roads, but motor vehicle access to both roads would be maintained (e.g., FR 440B between FR 439 and FR 440). Alternative 1 would not affect motorized access to any trailhead for motorized or nonmotorized trails. Overall, alternative 1 would decrease the amount of roads available for motor vehicle use by about 10 percent, whether the use is by truck or ATV. Some road segments located where crosscountry motorized travel is currently allowed would eliminated. This would affect motorized access to a few historic dispersed sites found along these road segments. Hunting, firewood gathering, and antler collecting would be slightly more difficult, as nonmotorized access would 7

10 be necessary where road segments are removed from the system. Recreational special uses and events would remain unchanged under this alternative. Alternative 1 would apply a seasonal designation across the entire Camino Real RD, allowing motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails from May 1 to December 31. This may affect turkey hunters in the spring (before May 1), who have historically driven roads in areas where no seasonal designation is currently applied (i.e., Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, or Warm Springs). Alternative 2 Alternative 2 would reduce the transportation system on the Camino Real RD by 144 miles of road, leaving 206 miles open to public use. Motor vehicle use would be restricted to administrative use only on 144 miles of road and they would not be displayed on the motor MVUM. They include FR 441 (Bear Wallow), FR 440 (Maestas Ridge), FR 442 (Little Rio Grande), and FR 160, which are all frequently used by local residents for many forms of recreation, both motorized and nonmotorized. Removing motor vehicle use on 50 miles of FR 439, FR 440, FR 441, and FR 442 would eliminate motorized access to 30 percent of the central portion of the Camino Real RD, which would have a substantial effect on recreationists. None of the roads proposed to be removed from the system under alternative 2 lead to any trailheads; therefore, this alternative would not affect motorized access to motorized or nonmotorized trails. Overall, alternative 2 would decrease the amount of roads available for motor vehicle use by about 41 percent, whether the use is by truck or ATV. Some forest roads used frequently by recreationists would be eliminated. This would have a substantial impact on motorized access to historic dispersed sites found along these roads. Motorized access for hunting, firewood gathering, and antler collecting would be limited, as nonmotorized access would be necessary where roads are removed from the system. Recreational special uses and events would likely be restricted under this alternative. Like alternative 1, alternative 2 would apply a seasonal designation across the entire Camino Real RD, allowing motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails from May 1 to December 31. This may affect turkey hunters in the spring (before May 1), who have historically driven roads in areas where no seasonal designation is currently applied (i.e., Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, or Warm Springs). Alternative 3 Alternative 3 would not change the existing transportation system on the Camino Real RD. Overall, alternative 3 would maintain 350 miles of road available for motor vehicle use on the Camino Real RD. This alternative would not affect recreational opportunities, including dispersed camping, driving for pleasure, hunting, antler collecting, and recreational special uses and events or motorized access to either motorized or nonmotorized trails on the district. Alternative 3 would continue to apply a seasonal designation across most (70%) of the Camino Real RD, allowing motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails from May 1 to December 31. No seasonal designation would be applied in Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, and Warm Springs areas. This would allow hunters to continue driving roads in these areas during spring turkey hunting season. 8

11 There would be a no change in OHV access across the district via designated roads and designated motorized trails, access to motorized dispersed sites, driving for pleasure, hunting, antler gathering, and special uses and large events. Recreation in Cross-country Motorized Travel Areas and Corridors Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would eliminate approximately 100,672 acres of the Camino Real RD currently open to cross-country motorized travel. In other words, motor vehicle use would be restricted to designated roads and motorized trails across the entire district. This change would affect specific users who travel in these areas with motor vehicles. However, this change would not be perceptible when examined at a district level and when considering all forest users. The percentage of users who ride off-highway vehicles as a primary purpose for recreation is very small, and the existing system of motorized trails available for off-highway vehicle use would remain unchanged. Opportunities would continue on the existing 67.5 miles of NFS trails designated for motorized use. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. Motorized access to the general areas would continue by using the 318 miles of designated road. This alternative also adds 1.1 miles of currently unauthorized route segments to the system where dispersed campsites are known to exist in the Entrañas and Alamitos areas. This would help mitigate the effects of eliminating cross-country motorized travel on dispersed camping. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel would not affect nonmotorized access anywhere on the district. This alternative would also remove existing 300-foot corridors along 16 miles of designated road and change the purpose of motor vehicle use on the remaining 136 miles of road with specified corridors to solely for dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval. Corridors that would be removed under this alternative are along roads near developed campgrounds in Taos Canyon, Rio Pueblo Canyon, La Junta Canyon, and along the Rio Santa Barbara. Removing corridors would discourage random driving and eliminate camping impacts in fragile riparian ecosystems, while still providing camping opportunities in developed campgrounds that designed to minimize impacts to soils, water, and vegetation. Alternative 1 would also remove about 4 miles of specified corridor along Forest Trail (FT 70) in the Osha Pass area and 2 miles of specified corridor along FT 12 located in Sardinas Canyon. This trail had once been a designated road. When it was converted to a motorized trail, the specified corridor was not removed from the system. This alternative would provide consistency across the Carson NF in specifying a distance along certain designated roads where motor vehicle use is allowed solely for the purposes of dispersed camping or big game (deer and elk) retrieval. In addition, surveys conducted on the district found no evidence of dispersed camping is occurring along FTs 70 or 12. Alternative 2 Like alternative 1, alternative 2 would eliminate approximately 100,672 acres of the Camino Real RD currently open to cross-country motorized travel. Motor vehicle use would be restricted to designated roads and motorized trails across the entire district. This change would affect specific 9

12 users who travel in these areas with motor vehicles. However, this change would not be perceptible when examined at a district level and when considering all forest users. The percentage of users who ride off-highway vehicles as a primary purpose for recreation is very small, and the existing system of motorized trails available for off-highway vehicle use would remain unchanged. Opportunities would continue on the existing 67.5 miles of NFS trails designated for motorized use. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. Motorized access to the general areas would continue by using the 206 miles of designated road. This alternative would not add any unauthorized route segments to the system, which would reduce dispersed camping opportunities on the district by eliminating motor vehicle use in areas where cross-country motorized travel is currently permitted. Access to popular sites in the Santa Barbara, Alamitos and Las Trampas areas would be affected. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel would not affect nonmotorized access anywhere on the district. This alternative would also remove all existing 300-foot corridors along 152 miles of designated road and 6 miles of motorized trail, which would eliminate any motorized access to existing dispersed campsites along FR 437 (Rio Chiquito), FR 441 (Bear Wallow), FR 440 (Maestas Ridge), FR 442 (Little Rio Grande), FR76 (La Junta), and FR 722. Dispersed camping accessed by motor vehicles in many of the more popular areas of the district, such as along FR 76, FR 114, FR 437, FR 438, and FR 439, would be affected. Removal of these corridors from the system would not affect access to any motorized or nonmotorized trails. Compared to alternatives 1 and 3, alternative 2 would have a substantial negative impact on dispersed campers who commonly use motor vehicles to access historic campsites on the Camino Real RD. This alternative would remove FR 440 (Maestas Ridge) and FR 442 (Little Rio Grande), which are forest roads that currently have corridors where dispersed camping is very popular. In addition, alternative 2 would remove the specified corridor from FR 437 (Rio Chiquito), another area frequently used for dispersed camping. The removal of all specified corridors would have no effect on nonmotorized access to dispersed campsites. Alternative 3 Like alternatives 1 and 2, alternative 3 would eliminate approximately 100,672 acres of the Camino Real RD currently open to cross-country motorized travel. Motor vehicle use would be restricted to designated roads and motorized trails across the entire district. This change would affect specific users who travel in these areas with motor vehicles. However, this change would not be perceptible when examined at a district level and when considering all forest users. The percentage of users who ride off-highway vehicles as a primary purpose for recreation is very small, and the existing system of motorized trails available for off-highway vehicle use would remain unchanged. Opportunities would continue on the existing 67.5 miles of NFS trails designated for motorized use. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of 10

13 firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. Motorized access to the general areas would continue by using the 350 miles of designated road. This alternative would not add any unauthorized route segments to the system, which would reduce dispersed camping opportunities on the district by eliminating motor vehicle use in areas where cross-country motorized travel is currently permitted. Access to popular sites in the Santa Barbara, Alamitos and Las Trampas areas would be affected. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel would not affect nonmotorized access anywhere on the district. This alternative would not remove any of the existing 300-foot corridors along 152 miles of designated road and 6 miles of motorized trail, but alternative 3 would change the purpose of motor vehicle use solely for dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval. Maintaining specified corridors on the Camino Real RD would not affect dispersed camping or associated recreational activities. Motorized Trails Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would convert 1 mile of designated road (FR 89) in Angostura Canyon to a motorized trail, extending FT 19 down to the Angostura Trailhead, located at the mouth of the canyon off State Highway 518. This action would provide motorized access to FT 19, while prohibiting vehicles over 50 inches wide from driving into the canyon where there is little space to turn around. Since alternative 1 would not change motor vehicle use on the rest of the district s designated motorized trail system, no effects to motorized recreation opportunities are anticipated. Alternative 2 Alternative 2 would not change motor vehicle use on the district s designated motorized trail system; therefore, no effects to motorized recreation opportunities are anticipated. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 would not change motor vehicle use on the district s designated motorized trail system; therefore, no effects to motorized recreation opportunities are anticipated. Hunting Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would reduce the transportation system by 32 miles, leaving 318 miles for hunters to scout and hunt by motor vehicle. These 32 miles of road segments are scattered fairly evenly between GMU 45 and GMU 48 and would likely have an effect on some hunters who prefer to drive further into the forest before hunting on foot. Restricting motor vehicle use to authorized use only on these road segments may also affect where hunters like to set up camp. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel in the east and west fork of Luna Creek, La Junta Canyon, and Warm Springs areas would prohibit hunters from driving ATVs off designated 11

14 roads and trails in GMU 48. Alamitos and Entrañas areas (GMU 45) are where most crosscountry motorized travel would be eliminated, but it is unknown how much motor vehicle use by hunters occurs in these areas. It is expected that for some hunters, eliminating cross-country motorized travel on 30 percent of the Camino Real RD would affect their hunting experience, while other hunters would welcome less noise and disturbance during their hunt. In alterative 1, the 16 miles of specified corridor proposed to be removed are located along main forest roads in Capulin, Rio Pueblo, La Junta, and Santa Barbara canyons and are near populated areas. Hunters are unlikely to use these corridors for motorized dispersed camping or retrieving a downed animal using a motor vehicle. The hunting experience is not anticipated to be affected much by the removal of these corridors. Motor vehicle use in specified corridors along the remaining 136 miles of road would be solely for the purposes of dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval, which would not likely change the current hunting experience on the district. This alternative would apply a seasonal designation across the entire district that allows motor vehicle use from May 1 to December 31. This designation would not affect deer and elk hunters, since their hunts are over before motor vehicle use is restricted on January 1. This designation would affect turkey hunters that usually drive in the Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, and Warm Springs areas in April to hunt turkey. They still would be able to walk or horseback into these areas. Alternative 2 Alternative 2 would reduce the transportation system by 144 miles, leaving 206 miles for scouting and hunting by motor vehicle. These 144 miles of road are mostly in the central part of the Camino Real RD in GMU 48. Their removal from the system would eliminate motorized access to a large portion of the district and would likely have a negative effect on many hunters, by limiting motorized access to favorite dispersed campsites and hunting success, if they depend on a motor vehicle to get to where they want to hunt. Like alternative 1, the elimination of cross-country motorized travel in the east and west fork of Luna Creek, La Junta Canyon, and Warm Springs areas would prohibit hunters from driving ATVs off designated roads and trails in GMU 48. Alamitos and Entrañas areas (GMU 45) are where most cross-country motorized travel would be eliminated, but it is unknown how much motor vehicle use by hunters occurs in these areas. It is expected that for some hunters, eliminating cross-country motorized travel on 30 percent of the Camino Real RD would affect their hunting experience, while other hunters would welcome less noise and disturbance during their hunt. Compared to alternatives 1 and 3, alternative 2 could have substantial negative impact on hunters who commonly use motor vehicles to access their favorite hunting camp on the Camino Real RD. This alternative would remove FR 440 (Maestas Ridge) and FR 442 (Little Rio Grande), which are forest roads that currently have corridors where dispersed camping is very popular. In addition, alternative 2 would remove the specified corridor from FR 437 (Rio Chiquito), another area frequently used for dispersed camping. The removal of all specified corridors in alternative 2 would have no effect on nonmotorized access to dispersed campsites used by hunters. 12

15 This alternative would also apply a seasonal designation across the entire district that allows motor vehicle use from May 1 to December 31. This designation would not affect deer and elk hunters, since their hunts are over before motor vehicle use is restricted on January 1. This designation would affect turkey hunters that usually drive in the Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, and Warm Springs areas in April to hunt turkey. They still would be able to walk or horseback into these areas. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 would not change the existing transportation system on the Camino Real RD. Alternative 3 would maintain 350 miles of road in GMU 45 and GMU 48 that would be available for scouting and hunting by motor vehicle. This alternative would likely have no effect on hunters who prefer to drive as far as possible before hunting on foot. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel in the east and west fork of Luna Creek, La Junta Canyon, and Warm Springs areas would prohibit hunters from driving ATVs off designated roads and trails in GMU 48. Alamitos and Entrañas areas (GMU 45) are where most crosscountry motorized travel would be eliminated, but it is unknown how much motor vehicle use by hunters occurs in these areas. It is expected that for some hunters, eliminating cross-country motorized travel on 30 percent of the Camino Real RD would affect their hunting experience, while other hunters would welcome less noise and disturbance during their hunt. This alternative would not remove any of the existing 300-foot corridors along 152 miles of designated road and 6 miles of motorized trail, but alternative 3 would change the purpose of motor vehicle use solely for dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval. Maintaining specified corridors and providing for motor vehicle use for big game retrieval on the Camino Real RD would not affect dispersed camping or associated recreational activities. The hunting experience is not anticipated to be affected by maintaining specified corridors. Motor vehicle use in specified corridors would be solely for the purposes of dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval, which would keep the current hunting experience on the district. This alternative would not apply a seasonal designation on the remaining (30%) of the district; therefore, motor vehicle use for turkey hunting in the Entrañas, Alamitos, La Junta, Luna Creek, and Warm Springs areas would still be permitted in April. Alternative 3 would not change nonmotorized access for turkey hunting over the entire district during April. Nonmotorized Recreation Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would reduce the transportation system by 32 miles, leaving 318 miles for motor vehicle use. These 32 miles of road segments are scattered fairly evenly throughout the district and there removal from the system would likely enhance the experience sought by nonmotorized recreationists. This alternative does not remove any of the major forest roads on the district that are frequently used to access areas for nonmotorized recreational activities, such as backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel on the entire Camino Real RD would benefit nonmotorized recreationists who seek quieter, more secluded areas to recreate. 13

16 In alterative 1, the 16 miles of specified corridor proposed to be removed are located along main forest roads in Capulin, Rio Pueblo, La Junta, and Santa Barbara canyons and are near populated areas. Nonmotorized recreationists are unlikely to use these corridors for motorized dispersed camping; therefore, their recreational experience is not anticipated to be affected much by the removal of these corridors. Motor vehicle use in specified corridors along the remaining 136 miles of road would be solely for the purposes of dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval, which would not likely change the current experience of the nonmotorized recreationist on the district. Alternative 2 Alternative 2 would reduce the transportation system by 144 miles, leaving 206 miles for motor vehicle use. These 144 miles of road are mostly in the central part of the Camino Real RD and there removal from the system would likely enhance the experience sought by nonmotorized recreationists. Their removal from the system would eliminate motorized access to a large portion of the district and would have the most beneficial effect on nonmotorized recreationists than either alternative 1 or 3. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel on the entire Camino Real RD would benefit nonmotorized recreationists who seek quieter, more secluded areas to recreate. Compared to alternatives 1 and 3, alternative 2 would substantially improve the nonmotorized experience on the Camino Real RD. This alternative would remove FR 440 (Maestas Ridge) and FR 442 (Little Rio Grande). With little or no motor vehicle use on these roads, they would likely be transformed into popular mountain biking and horseback riding trails. The removal of all specified corridors on the district alternative 2 would benefit nonmotorized recreationists who seek quieter, more secluded areas to recreate. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 would not change the existing transportation system on the Camino Real RD and would maintain 350 miles for motor vehicle use. This alternative would continue to provide motorized access to areas where nonmotorized recreational activities occur, such as backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The elimination of cross-country motorized travel on the entire Camino Real RD would benefit nonmotorized recreationists who seek quieter, more secluded areas to recreate. This alternative would not remove any of the existing 300-foot corridors along 152 miles of designated road and 6 miles of motorized trail, but alternative 3 would change the purpose of motor vehicle use solely for dispersed camping and big game (deer and elk) retrieval. Maintaining specified corridors on the Camino Real RD would not affect the experience nonmotorized recreationists seek on the Camino Real RD. 14

17 Summary of Alternatives Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would have a noticeable effect on motorized recreation on the Camino Real RD. The greatest change would be the elimination of cross-country motorized travel on approximately 100,672 acres. Use of motor vehicles off of the designated system of NFS roads and trails within these areas would be eliminated. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. Motorized use would be restricted to 318 miles of designated roads and trails. Major forest roads that are frequently used for pleasure driving, sightseeing, dispersed camping, and hunting would not be affected. Motorized access to a few dispersed camping sites would be affected and access to areas used for hunting, firewood gathering, and antler collection would be slightly more difficult where road segments are removed from the system. Spring turkey hunting may also be affected on roads where the seasonal designation is added. Removing 16 miles of 300-foot corridor and changing the purpose of motor vehicle use on the remaining 136 miles of roads is not expected to affect hunting significantly. This alternative would add 1.1 miles of unauthorized route segments which lead to popular dispersed camping sites. This would help mitigate the effects of eliminating cross-country motorized travel on dispersed camping. Alternative 1 would convert 1 mile of designated road to a motorized trail. There would be no other changes to the district s motorized trail system. Recreational special uses and events would remain unchanged under this alternative. Alternative 1 would not affect motorized access to any trailhead for motorized or nonmotorized trails. Nonmotorized recreationists would likely benefit from the elimination of cross-country motorized travel and the 32 mile reduction in the open motorized transporation system. Alternative 2 Alternative 2 would have a larger effect on motorized recreation on the Camino Real RD than alternative 1. Like alternative 1, alternative 2 would eliminate cross-country motorized travel on approximately 100,672 acres. Use of motor vehicles off of the designated system of NFS roads and trails within these areas would be eliminated. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. Motorized use would be restricted to 206 miles of designated roads and trails. Many popular travel routes, especially in the central part of the district, would no longer be open to public use. This would have a substantial effect on motorized recreation and access to historic sites in this portion of the district. Motorized access for hunting, firewood gathering, and antler collecting would be limited, as nonmotorized access would be necessary where roads are removed from the system. Recreational special uses and events would likely be restricted under this alternative. 15

18 Like alternative 1, spring turkey hunting may also be affected on roads where the seasonal designation is added. Removing all existing 300-foot corridors would have a substantial negative impact on dispersed camping. This alternative would not add any unauthorized routes that lead to popular dispersed camping sites. There would be no mitigation for the effects of eliminating cross-country motorized travel and corridors on dispersed camping. Alternative 2 would not affect motorized access to any trailhead for motorized or nonmotorized trails. There would be no change to the existing motorized trail system. Nonmotorized recreationists would likely benefit from the elimination of cross-country motorized travel and corridors and the 144 mile reduction in the open motorized transporation system. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 would have the lowest amount of impact on motorized recreation on the Camino Real RD. Like alternatives 1 and 2, alternative 3 would eliminate cross-country motorized travel on approximately 100,672 acres. Use of motor vehicles off of the designated system of NFS roads and trails within these areas would be eliminated. Eliminating motorized cross-country travel may affect access to specific traditional firewood collection areas. However, this change would not reduce the amount of firewood available on the district, the ability to designate firewood collection areas, or specify permit areas on individual firewood permits. This alternative would not change the existing transportation system. Motorized use would continue on the existing 350 miles of designated roads and trails. There would be no effects to recreational opportunities accessed by these roads including dispersed camping, driving for pleasure, hunting, antler collecting, and recreational special uses and events or motorized access to either motorized or nonmotorized trails on the district. Nonmotorized recreationists would benefit from the elimination of cross-country motorized travel. Cumulative Effects The effects of administrative and commercial recreation uses and livestock grazing, when added to the effects of alternatives 1, 2, and 3, would not change the recreational experience on the Camino Real RD from what has already been described for each alternative. 16