Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Travel Management Environmental Assessment. Recreation Specialist Report

Transcription

1 Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Travel Management Environmental Assessment Recreation Specialist Report (Unit K-109 accessed by National Forest System Road K107, Harding County, New Mexico) Prepared by: John G. Baumchen Recreation Specialist for: Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Cibola National Forest February 6 th, 2012

2 Background The Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District is comprised of two National Grasslands: The Kiowa National Grasslands (NG), which covers 137,157 acres and is located within Mora, Harding, Union, and Colfax Counties, New Mexico, while the Rita Blanca NG, which covers 92,989 acres located in Dallam County, Texas and in Cimarron County, Oklahoma The district office is located in Clayton, New Mexico. It is just west of the eastern portion of the Kiowa, while the villages of Roy and Mosquero, New Mexico are south of the western part of the Kiowa. The small unincorporated community of Felt, Oklahoma is within the Rita Blanca NG. Texline, Texas is along the southwest boundary of the Rita Blanca. Dalhart, Texas is south of the Rita Blanca while Stratford, Texas is just east of the Rita Blanca. The district is located in the southern portion of the North American Great Plains region in the short grass prairie. It is located in a sparsely-populated rural area, that is away from population centers, is isolated, and only has a few developed recreational facilities. The district receives a low to moderate amount of motor vehicle use related to recreational activities. There are several larger communities in the three-state region near the district office, including: Raton, New Mexico, approximately 83 miles to the northwest, Guymon, Oklahoma, approximately 105 miles to the east, Tucumcari, New Mexico, about 112 miles to the southwest, Amarillo, Texas, about 131 miles southeast, and Las Vegas, New Mexico, about 150 miles to the southwest. Recreational activities occur year-round and include: Day use activities such as: sightseeing, bird watching, fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, rock climbing, pleasure driving and wildlife and scenery viewing. Overnight use is primarily camping either in a campground or at dispersed locations. Developed Recreation Developed recreation is limited on the Grasslands, but there is no charge to use the sites and they are open year-round. The recreation sites are as follows: Developed campgrounds: Mills Rim Campground, located on top of the rim of the Canadian River Canyon on the south side of NFSR K600. Mills Canyon Campground, located on the west side of NFSR K600 in the bottom of the Canadian River Canyon. Developed picnic areas: Felt Picnic Area, located south of Felt, Oklahoma. Thompson Grove Picnic Area, located east of Texline, Texas. Developed interpretive site: Santa Fe Trail Interpretive site, located north of Clayton, New Mexico on the south side of the historic Santa Fe Trail. Dispersed Recreation Several dispersed recreation opportunities exist on the district. Activities include: hiking, biking on roads, rock climbing, fishing, wildlife viewing, sightseeing, dispersed camping (both backpacking and motorized), picnicking, hunting, gathering forest products, Off-highway-vehicle (OHV) riding, and pleasure driving. Exemptions and Permits Page 2

3 Some motorized activities, including driving on non-designated routes or off-road motorized use have been and will continue outside of those routes and areas designated through the Travel Management Rule process. This activity was addressed in the Travel Management Rule by providing exemptions for some motorized activities as shown below in 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (a) and (b) Designation of roads, trails, and areas. (a) General. Motor vehicle use on National Forest System roads, on National Forest System trails, and in areas on National Forest System lands shall be designated by vehicle class and, if appropriate, by time of year by the responsible official on administrative units or Ranger Districts of the National Forest System, provided that the following vehicles and uses are exempted from these designations: (1) Aircraft; (2) Watercraft; (3) Over-snow vehicles (see ); (4) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; (5) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; (6) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; (7) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; and (8) Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations. (b) Motor vehicle use for dispersed camping or big game retrieval. In designating routes, the responsible official may include in the designation the limited use of motor vehicles within a specified distance of certain forest roads or trails where motor vehicle use is allowed, and if appropriate within specified time periods, solely for the purposes of dispersed camping or retrieval of a downed big game animal by an individual who has legally taken that animal. The exemptions under 36 CFR (a) for cross-country or undesignated route travel is primarily administrative. These are mainly activities such as emergency situations, agency, and authorized use or issuance of a federal permit. Administrative use may include motorized use by state agencies or the Forest Service to monitor, enforce, manage, or pursue other activities as necessary to accomplish management goals. Travel allowed by authorized use or issuance of a federal permit would be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization. Permitted activities are part of the existing condition and are not going to result in a change in motorized use. For example; permits for gathering of forest products such as firewood will continue to allow for offroad motor vehicle use for cutting and loading wood as is currently practiced. Language to allow this offroad motor vehicle use is included in the language of the permit. A written authorization or a federal permit may also exempt motor vehicle use on undesignated route, closed roads or for cross-country travel as defined in the authorization. This would include but not be limited to travel to meet the conditions of grazing permits, special use permits such as power lines or pipelines. State permits for collection of big game species (hunting licenses and hunt tags) will continue to be issued by the state but retrieval of game taken by a hunter will be subject to the conditions approved for motorized big game retrieval in the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Travel Management Environmental Analysis decision. The exemption under (b) is for public motorized cross-country or undesignated route travel that is designated on the MVUM. Under (b) it is not so much an exemption but a designation of cross-country or undesignated travel in a designated corridor as shown on the MVUM. The district is currently open to cross-country motorized travel. Presently there no exemptions to a travel rule. Page 3

4 The Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands presently manage motorized use through administrative means by temporarily closing roads during periods of wet conditions or extreme fire danger by issuing closures. This system would continue to be in place even after the implementation of the Travel Management Rule. Motorized Activities Currently the district is open to motorized cross-country travel. There are miles of Maintenance Level (ML) 2 and ML3 National Forest System (NFS) roads on the district. Currently, there are no miles of motorized NFS trails designated specifically for OHV riding. The terrain of much of the district is flat to rolling hills, with prairie vegetation that allows for easy cross-country travel by All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Although OHV use occurs across the district, the Canadian River Canyon in the western portion of the Kiowa NG has the highest use. All of the NFS roads on the district are currently open to all vehicles and unauthorized roads listed in the roads database are also still in use. Frequently, there is no obvious difference between system roads and unauthorized roads that are still in use because the majority of the system roads are not marked with route markers or other signs that would indicate they are system roads. Unauthorized routes are often welldefined, receive a moderate amount of use, and are not easily discernible from system routes. Roads provide access to recreation opportunities such as sightseeing, exploring, hunting, and accessing developed and dispersed recreation opportunities. The more primitive roads provide for challenging OHV driving skills. Driving for pleasure is a frequent recreation activity identified by respondents in the Cibola s National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) surveys. In 2001, 10 percent of the respondents indicated that driving for pleasure was one of the activities they participated in on the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. In 2006, the grassland districts were analyzed separately from the forest districts and 25.7 percent of the respondents reported that they drove for pleasure on the grassland districts. Most of the OHV use on the district has been primarily for transportation for hunting activities and exploring in the Canadian River Canyon area. However, public comments and research indicated that OHV recreationists desired a system with loop opportunities that offer a variety of destinations, experiences and challenges. Motorized recreationists have different preferences depending on the vehicle they use for OHV recreation. For example: OHV motorcyclists prefer single track trails and can ride between 35 to 80 miles in a day. ATV and UTV riders often prefer trail experiences to driving roads and trails because trails often provide more challenging terrain and the narrower width enhances the connection to the landscape. Most ATVs are less than 50 inches wide and are constructed to accommodate only one rider, while UTVs or side-by-side vehicles are a wider (often up to 65 inches wide) and are designed to hold the driver and a passenger. UTVs are gaining in popularity and in most cases, need wider trails to operate than ATVs. The existing condition offers no managed trails for motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. The district is composed primarily of small scattered areas that are not large enough to support a long trail system. Motorized dispersed camping is allowed across the district and occurs year-round. It offers solitude and semi-primitive recreation experiences that are not generally available in developed recreation sites. Motorized dispersed camping is more evident in the Canadian River Canyon area, but has occurred across the district. Campers like to camp where there is scenery, 4-wheel drive roads, flowing streams or rivers, and destination spots or hunting areas. Most spots have user-constructed fire rings and other evidence of Page 4

5 regular use. Occupancy is highest from August through November during the pronghorn antelope and deer hunting seasons. Although the district does not have a complete inventory of dispersed camp locations, 41 sites were identified that had evidence of past use, including constructed fire rings. The identified sites are: Two sites located west of Thompson Grove Picnic area along road U_RBL083 Thirteen sites located east of the rim of the Canadian River Canyon Twenty-one sites located in the bottom of the Canadian River Canyon Two sites are located on the west rim of the Canadian River Canyon Three sites located mid-canyon on the south side of K600 In recent years, dispersed camping on the district appears to have lessened. This is probably due to closures for fire restrictions, extreme fire behavior and the implementation of the Kiowa Reconstruction and Expansion of the Mills Rim and Mills Canyon Campgrounds in Harding County, New Mexico. Some of the decline may also be due to campground refurbishment that included enhancing living space and establishing convenient restroom facilities. Observations by district staff found that the most popular locations are used during the summer and during hunting seasons. The most popular sites are: The stone table site along U_MIL011 The south Cottonwood site south of the end of K600 The terminus of U_MIL011 The north Cottonwood site below Ship Rock accessed by U_MIL006 (Baumchen 2011) Nearly all grassland visitors, regardless of the purpose for their visits, use the motorized transportation system or National Forest System (NFS) roads to reach their destinations. Recreation activities frequently involve a combination of motorized and non-motorized activities. Therefore, making changes to the existing motorized transportation system by adding and/or removing roads has the potential to affect the diversity of recreation opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized uses on the district. Many non-motorized activities such as picnicking, hiking, viewing wildlife, hunting and fishing, depend on motorized access to participate in these activities. However, these activities are also the most susceptible to the impacts of noise, emissions and conflicts among users associated with the proliferation of unauthorized roads. Public responses to scoping emphasized this issue. Some commenters expressed a desire to protect and enhance opportunities for quiet recreation, while others wanted continued motorized access to their favorite places to enjoy motorized and non-motorized recreation activities. Fishing and Water-based Recreation Opportunities These activities can be found on approximately 16 miles of the Canadian River. Some of the more common fish found in this river include: bluegill, channel catfish, and large and small mouth bass. Hunting Hunting on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands is managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF); the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC); and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, and black-tailed prairie dogs are the primary species pursued by hunters. Coyote, turkey, black bear, mountain lion, Barbary sheep, scaled and bobwhite quail and ring-necked pheasant are also present in certain areas of the grasslands. Although these are desirable game species, the probability of success is low due to low population numbers (except for coyote) and lack of habitat on the grasslands. Since licenses for most of these species are sold over the counter, the Page 5

6 district does not have information regarding the number of licenses sold for hunting on the grasslands. However, the district receives few inquiries regarding hunting species other than deer, antelope, and prairie dogs and believe the hunting pressure for these other species is low on the grasslands. The Kiowa National Grassland is located in New Mexico Game Management Units (GMU) 47, 58 and 59. Deer hunting. The NMDGF deer harvest report estimates that: GMU 47: 116 hunters harvested 42 deer GMU 58: 231 hunters harvested 133 deer GMU 59: 196 hunters harvested 100 deer The Kiowa National Grassland is only a small portion of the land base in these GMUs, with the majority of the land being privately held. Deer are found in small, isolated populations. NMDGF harvest data does not specify whether the deer were taken on private or public land. With the Kiowa National Grassland being only a small portion of the GMU land base and deer numbers being low, the number of deer hunters and the number of deer harvested on the grassland are low. Antelope hunting. Prior to the hunting license year, NMDGF used antelope management units (AMUs) rather than the Game Management Units used for other species. Antelope hunting now follows the same GMU structure as the other big game species. The district was located in AMUs 41, 45, 53, and 58. The antelope hunting permits for these AMUs were designated as public, private AMU-wide and private ranch. The most recent antelope harvest data is from the hunting season and the report estimated that: AMU 41: 480 hunters harvested 446 antelope AMU 45: 193 hunters harvested 186 antelope AMU 53: 21 hunters harvested 19 antelope AMU 58: 269 hunters harvested 248 antelope Although the Kiowa National Grassland is a small portion of the land base, the number of antelope on the grassland is high, thus antelope hunting is one of the primary recreational uses of the grassland. Black-tailed prairie dog hunting. In 2010, the Kiowa Grassland had 20 black-tailed prairie dog colonies that ranged in size from less than one acre to 250 acres for a total of 827 acres. The district occasionally receives inquiries about prairie dog hunting on the Kiowa National Grassland, but since it has so few of the large colonies preferred by prairie dog hunters, the number of prairie dog hunters is low. The Rita Blanca Grassland (Oklahoma) is designated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) as the Rita Blanca Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Hunters must follow the ODWC s rules and regulations for the Rita Blanca WMA when hunting on the grassland in Oklahoma. Deer hunting. The Rita Blanca WMA does not provide quality deer habitat, thus deer numbers are low. The 2009 ODWC County and Area Summary of Deer Kills by Hunt Type show that four deer were harvested on the Rita Blanca WMA in Antelope hunting. Harvest records from the ODWC show that on the Rita Blanca WMA: 2011: 15 antelope were harvested 2010: 19 antelope harvested 2009: 10 antelope harvested Page 6

7 Gun antelope permits are issued by drawing. Archery antelope permits are available over the counter, which means that the public can purchase an archery antelope permit to hunt on the Rita Blanca WMA from a license vendor. Due to the ease of obtaining an archery antelope permit, archery antelope hunting is the primary recreational use of the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Oklahoma. Black-tailed prairie dog hunting on the Rita Blanca WMA is not allowed by the ODWC. The Rita Blanca Grassland (Dallam County, Texas). Hunters must follow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) rules and regulations for Dallam County when hunting on the grassland in Texas. Deer hunting. Deer numbers on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas are low. Deer are typically found in grassland units that have sand sagebrush habitat or in units that are located near corn or winter wheat fields on private land. The TPWD does not collect deer harvest data for Dallam County. With the lack of quality deer habitat and a small deer population on the grassland, the number of deer hunters is low. Antelope hunting. Antelope are present in large numbers on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas. The TPWD issues 6 to 10 permits each year to hunt antelope on the Rita Blanca National Grassland. In 2010, the TPWD issued 10 permits and all 10 hunters harvested an antelope. The annual antelope hunt on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas is one of the primary recreational uses of the grassland. Black-tailed prairie dog hunting is one of the primary recreational uses of the grassland. In 2010, the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas had 34 black-tailed prairie dog colonies that ranged in size from less than one acre to 150 acres, for a total of 1,211 acres. The district receives frequent inquiries about prairie dog hunting on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas, because it has many large colonies that are preferred by prairie dog hunters. Motorized Big Game Retrieval As there are no restrictions on cross-country travel, there are also no restrictions on motorized big game retrieval on the district. The actual number of acres used or the total number of miles traveled for motorized big game retrieval (MBGR) is unknown. However, empirical knowledge coupled with game department harvest information, points to a limited and dispersed practice of MBGR on the district. For example, the three deer hunting areas in New Mexico had 275 deer harvested on roughly 2,577 square miles. The district is only 214 square miles or eight percent of the deer hunting area. If deer were harvested evenly across the entire 2,577 square miles, then 22 deer would have been harvested, with 22 possible trips to retrieve them. For antelope hunting in New Mexico, there were 889 animals harvested in 5,588 square miles. The district makes up only four percent of this area. A simple four percent of the harvest would be 36 antelope resulting in 36 possible trips for MBGR. There is little information on deer harvest for the Texas portion of the district. Antelope hunting resulted in 10 animals, so there were 10 possible trips to retrieve them. The records for the antelope and deer in the Oklahoma part of the district shows 4 deer and a three-year average of 15 antelope resulting in a possible 19 game retrieval trips. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) People tend to choose settings for their outdoor recreation activities to realize a desired set of experiences. The Forest Service uses a classification system called the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) to Page 7

8 define and manage a range of recreational settings and opportunities on NFS lands. ROS is a framework for stratifying and defining classes of outdoor recreation environments, activities, and experience opportunities. The settings, activities, and opportunities for obtaining experiences have been arranged along a continuum or spectrum divided into six classes: 1. Primitive 2. Semi-primitive non-motorized 3. Semi-primitive motorized 4. Roaded natural 5. Rural 6. Urban Table 1 represents the acres designated for the ROS classifications in the Cibola 1985 Forest Plan for the district. Figure 1 and Figure 2 are the District s two ROS maps. Table 1: ROS classifications for the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands ROS Classifications Acres Roaded Natural 68,900 Semi-primitive Motorized 161,942 Total 230,842 1 The two ROS classifications in the Cibola 1985 Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) on the district travel management analysis area are described as follows: Roaded Natural (RN) is characterized by a predominantly natural-appearing environment with moderate evidence of human activity. Resource modification and utilization practices are evident but harmonize with the natural environment. May have a mosaic of highly modified areas to pockets of unmodified lands. Developed sites provide for some user comforts as well as site protection, but harmonize with the natural environment. Roaded natural classification includes 68,900 acres, or 30 percent of the district. Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM) is similar setting to the semi-primitive non-motorized (SPNM), except this area provides a motorized back-country experience where trails and primitive roads are designed for high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles. There is a moderate probability of experiencing solitude and a high degree of self-reliance and challenge in using motorized equipment. These areas are predominantly natural, lacking some human modification, except when necessary for site protection. Semi-primitive motorized classification includes 161,942 2 acres, or 70 percent of the district. Acceptable variations in ROS classifications from the acreages presented in the Forest Plan standards and guidelines for specific management areas are as follows: Roaded Natural: ±15 percent; Semi-primitive Motorized: ±15 percent. 1 The 1985 LRMP shows a total of 230,842 acres for the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. Because of past land adjustment projects, such as transfer, exchange or purchase, the present acreage is slightly different from the 1985 total. 2 The ROS acreage for Semi-Primitive Motorized as found on page 107 of the 1985 Cibola Forest Plan shows 361,942 acres. The assumption is that this is a typographical error as page 105 shows the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands has a total acreage of 230,842 acres. Page 8

9 Figure 1. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classes on the Mills Unit of the Kiowa National Grassland Page 9

10 Figure 2. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classes on the east side of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Inventoried Roadless Areas On January 12, 2001, the Forest Service issued the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR) (36 CFR 294, Subpart B), prohibiting the construction or reconstruction of roads in inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) with some exceptions. There is currently a legal dispute regarding the status of the RACR, with two Federal courts having issued conflicting rulings. Pending resolution of that legal question, the alternatives retain the undeveloped character of these areas. Figure 3 shows the RACR IRAs within the Cibola National Forest, New Mexico. The IRA located on the district is located in the northeast New Mexico, known as the Canadian River IRA. Due to the scale of the Cibola National Forest Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) map, Figure 4 shows an enlargement of the Canadian River IRA. This IRA is not identified as such in the Cibola Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP), but is a portion of the western part of Management Area 5. The ROS for this area includes both Semi-primitive Motorized and Roaded Natural (See ROS Map West Kiowa-Mills Area). This enlargement shows a buffered area on the eastern side of the Canadian River that would exclude K600, K601, and K602 from the IRA boundary on the eastern side of the river. Additionally the unauthorized route known as U_mil011 described above with popular dispersed camping Page 10

11 is considered out of the IRA in the buffered area east of K600 prior to crossing the Canadian River. Roads K90, K90A, K87B and K91J that are located above the east rim, are not in the roadless area either. Figure 3: Inventoried Roadless Area on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The Inventoried Roadless Area has no travel restrictions or rules against cross-country travel. Several portions of the western and southern boundary are coincident with private or state land. The IRA is dominated by canyon terrain. Dispersed camping spots are found in several locations. Users find the IRA a very attractive recreation spot. Local users, in particular, have a strong attachment to the camping and picnicking spots within this area. Recreational use levels are light to moderate with motor vehicle use, horseback riding, fishing and hiking the most common summer activities. This area does not have any motorized trails. Most of the horseback riding occurs on the roads or on unauthorized routes off NFS road K600. This reach of the Canadian River is predominately warm water fishery that receives light to moderate fishing activity. At this time, there are no special use permits authorizing recreation use for activities such as guided tours or big game hunting. The IRA is a very popular location for spring turkey and fall deer hunting, and results in increased use of the dispersed camping sites in the canyon. Access by K600 to the IRA is open year-round unless snow closes the road. The more remote portions of the Canadian River IRA appear more natural-looking especially the side drainages like Cañon Mesteño, Cañon Vercere and Cañon Colorado. There are a number of human developments or human-caused conditions that impact the outstanding values for which the IRA was identified. These developments Page 11

12 include: unauthorized two-track roads, uncontrolled motorized use, buildings, fences, dirt tanks, hardened low water crossings, forest development roads and invasive plants (salt-cedar) along the Canadian River. National Forest System roads and unauthorized roads are located in several locations in the IRA. Portions of NFS road K600 and K91 extend into the IRA on the west side of the river. A combination of travel on K600 and K91 within the IRA provides access completely across the IRA from west to east. These roads receive recreational use along with use by district personnel and grazing permit holders. Other NFS roads above the canyon rim on either side extend into the IRA. An issue raised during scoping was the impact that noise from motorized vehicles on the roadless resources. In late 2001, the Cibola National Forest evaluated rivers on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District pursuant to the act. An eligibility and classification inventory was completed by an interdisciplinary team that included wildlife, recreation, hydrology, and fisheries experts (USDA Figure 4. Canadian River Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) 2001). The Canadian River was the inventoried stream segment and was considered eligible for designation in the National Wild and Scenic River System on the district. There are no streams or rivers on the district which have been designated as a wild and scenic river. The Cibola National Forest amended the Forest Plan to incorporate guidance on how to manage the river segments deemed eligible through its forest-wide inventory. Amendment 10 provides direction on protecting outstandingly remarkable values so as to not preclude an eligible river or river segment from eventually becoming a formal candidate for wild and scenic river designation. Before these waterways can be designated as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, they must undergo a final suitability evaluation, including public involvement, and be designated by Congress. The Canadian River Canyon (including Mills Canyon) has been identified as eligible for wild and scenic river status. The forest s land and resource management plan (LRMP) directs that this canyon be managed to preserve its wild, scenic or recreation river potential. The eligibility is determined by the criteria of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (PL ). To be considered eligible, a river must be free-flowing and must possess one or more outstandingly remarkable values including: scenic, recreational, geological, fish and wildlife, historical, cultural and/or other values, including ecological. This segment of the Canadian River was determined to be eligible based on the values of scenic, recreational, geological, and historical. In addition to the recreation and historical opportunities, the canyon is also noted for its natural beauty and the fall color display that is unique in this region. Page 12

13 Figure 5. Special Areas on the Kiowa National Grassland Administrative Area The eligible scenic river corridor and Inventoried Roadless Area overlap within the IRA boundary. The eligible scenic river corridor is shown in Figure 5. Several NFS roads and unauthorized roads are found within the corridor, which result in stretches of conspicuous and well-traveled roads closely paralleling the riverbank. The Mills Canyon Campground is located within the corridor. Several locations within the corridor are dispersed camping spots. The ROS for this area includes both Semi-primitive Motorized and Roaded Natural (See ROS Map West Kiowa-Mills Area). The eligible scenic river presently has no travel restrictions or restrictions on crosscountry travel. The area has several locations where off-road travel occurs and where unauthorized roads have developed. The eligible scenic river corridor is dominated by canyon terrain. Dispersed camping spots are found in several locations within the corridor. Visitors find the eligible scenic river corridor a very attractive recreation spot. Local users have a strong attachment to the camping and picnicking spots within the eligible scenic river corridor. The District has no wilderness areas, nor does it have any recommended or study wilderness areas. The District has no special use permits issued to outfitters and guides or to any motorized tour operators. Page 13

14 Environmental Consequences Baseline Conditions The baseline conditions for analyzing the alternatives for travel management are: miles of system roads open for motor vehicle use 2.1 miles of system roads that are closed to all motor vehicle traffic 230,146 acres available for motorized cross-country travel Allowing motorized cross-country travel has resulted in the proliferation of unauthorized routes. Given the nature of the topography and vegetative cover on the district, cross-country travel is possible on many of these acres. It is expected that unauthorized roads and trails would continue to develop if motorized cross-country travel is not prohibited. Due to the fragmented nature of the district, many of the current system roads are only accessible by crossing private land. There are few existing rights-of-way (ROWs) for any of these system roads. Without legal access, these system roads would not be designated as open. Of the current system roads, 103 miles (from the TAP) would need ROWs before they could be designated. Due to no restrictions, there is no requirement for designating corridors for dispersed camping or motorized big game retrieval, or the need to restrict travel on unauthorized roads or allow for administrative use for various purposes. Motorized use of this type is provided for under the current baseline condition. Effects Common to all Alternatives No Cross-Country Travel The prohibition on motorized cross-country travel will be in place for all alternatives. Under the baseline, trail-like experiences were available on unauthorized routes and by cross-country travel throughout the district. By restricting motorized cross-country travel, cross-country motor vehicle use and use on unauthorized routes that are not added to the system would be prohibited. For some motor vehicle users, motorized cross-country travel challenges the rider, and is a valued recreation activity. Since motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs would be restricted to roads, they may feel the quality of their experience has been reduced, and may be displaced to other areas. Non-motorized recreation activities may benefit from the prohibition of motorized cross-country travel and overall decrease in available routes where quiet and a sense of solitude are an important part of the user s experience. For example, there may be improved bird watching or wildlife viewing in areas where there are fewer roads and less noise. The perceived effects of motorized use such as noise, emissions, user conflicts, and impacts to the eligible scenic river and inventoried roadless area will be minimized by the exclusion of motorized cross-country travel. Unplanned proliferation of unauthorized routes resulting from unrestricted motorized access will be eliminated. Areas that have recently been visited by cross-country travel or unauthorized routes will still be available by foot, horse or some other form of non-motorized access. Restriction in Travel on Unauthorized Roads The public may have a limited understanding of the existing rules and regulations for motorized travel in the area. The public s experience of unauthorized roads is that they are roads. These unauthorized roads can be well-worn two-tracks, obviously traveled frequently, and not visually different than system roads. Thus, in the public s eye, for all alternatives, the number of miles of road and opportunities for motorized recreation will be reduced, as unauthorized roads will not be available for motorized travel. Even the alternatives which designate some miles of unauthorized roads, only a small percentage of existing Page 14

15 unauthorized routes are designated. This will reduce the opportunity for dispersed recreation activities, both those dependent on motorized travel and those which are primarily non-motorized but which depend on unauthorized routes for access. Effects by Alternatives Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) This alternative would result in a system of miles of roads designated for motor vehicle use. This total would include 43.1 miles of unauthorized roads added as NFSRs and 0.1 miles of road would be constructed as listed in Appendix B. This is a 41% reduction in miles of road currently available for motor vehicle use. Under this alternative, all motorized vehicles would share the same road system which is the same as the baseline conditions. No motorized trails are proposed for designation. The 43.1 miles of unauthorized roads proposed to be added to the system were selected to address the needs of the public to provide access to a variety of destinations on the Grasslands. They enhance recreation opportunities by connecting segments of roads together and eliminating redundancy in the system. The proposed construction of 0.1 miles of new road will mitigate the impacts to a playa lake and still provide motorized access. Under this alternative, miles of currently open road would be restricted to administrative use only. Administrative use is for roads that are required for administrative management and authorized use of the grasslands. Some routes were proposed for administrative use because they crossed private land where there is no public access. These roads would not be displayed on the motor vehicle use map. This change from baseline would result in some current users being displaced. Some people may no longer be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feelings of being closed out of their established areas. Alternative 2 Current management of NFS roads would continue. All miles of NFS roads would continue to be available for motorized use. No motorized trails would be proposed under this alternative. The only difference between this alternative and baseline, is the elimination of cross-country motorized travel, as discussed above in Effects Common to all Alternatives. Alternative 3 This alternative would result in a system of miles of system roads designated for motor vehicle use. Compared to baseline, this is a 15 percent reduction in miles of road available. Of this total, 66.8 miles of unauthorized roads would be added and 0.1 miles of road would be constructed as listed in Appendix B. Under this alternative, 0.7 miles of closed road will be reopened and designated for all motor vehicles. This 0.7 mile of road was identified during scoping in an area where the public requested additional hunting access in Union County, near Clayton, New Mexico. During scoping, the district received requests for additional motorized trails to be added to the transportation system. The scoping request was specifically for trails to access areas in the Canadian River Canyon and on the upper west rim of the Canadian River Canyon. When compared to the baseline, this is an increase in motorized trail opportunity, as there are no motorized trails in the baseline. Page 15

16 The trails system would provide ATV, UTV (also known as side-by-sides ) and motorcycle users with increased opportunities and challenging terrain. Managing these routes as trails would improve motorized trail opportunities for ATV and UTV users. However, full size vehicles will be displaced. As there is no motorized trail system on the district, there would be short-term and long-term costs associated with designating a motorized trails system. The short-term cost to bring the proposed system to standard is estimated to be $27,700 and annual operation and maintenance costs of $21,600. The district currently does not have a trails budget, so funding avenues through grants and partnerships would be explored to assist in implementing this trail system. Under this alternative, miles of currently open road would be restricted to administrative use only. These roads would not be displayed on the motor vehicle use map. This change from baseline would result in some current users being displaced. Some people may no longer be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feelings of being closed out of their established areas. Alternative 4 The travel management system will have 143 miles of existing system roads open for public motor vehicle use. No unauthorized routes would be added to the system and no closed system roads would be opened. Under this alternative, miles of currently open road would be restricted to administrative use only. These roads would not be displayed on the motor vehicle use map. This change from baseline would result in some current users being displaced. Some people may no longer be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feelings of being closed out of their established areas. This is a 63 percent reduction in miles of road available for the recreating public. Dispersed Recreation Baseline Conditions Dispersed recreation would continue as described in the affected environment. The district would remain open to motorized cross-country travel and unrestricted motorized dispersed camping. Unauthorized routes would continue to proliferate. Most of the motorized dispersed camping tends to occur in the same areas. Some of these areas may expand, but it is unlikely that many since most of the other potential camping areas are unsuited for camping due to factors such as difficult terrain, privacy, and suitability for camping change little over time. Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) Travel off designated roads solely for the purpose of motorized dispersed camping would be restricted to specific dispersed camping corridors. Under this alternative, 300-foot wide corridors would be included along both sides of 1.7 miles of designated roads, while 150-foot wide corridors would be included along both sides 1.4 miles of designated roads. The variation in the width of the corridor is that terrain restricts the corridor from 300 feet to 150 feet. This alternative allows for motorized dispersed camping on 178 acres compared to 230,146 acres under the baseline. The designated corridors would provide opportunities to move vehicles off the road up to the specified distance. Based on public comments and observed use patterns, most campers prefer to have their vehicles close and their campsites away from the road. It is anticipated that most campers will choose a motorized dispersed campsite within a corridor rather than roadside parking. Comments also indicated that some people may perceive the restrictions on motorized cross-country travel and motorized dispersed camping as a means of closing the grasslands. Some people may no longer Page 16

17 be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feelings of being closed out of their established areas. The addition of 43.1 miles of unauthorized roads will partially address this concern. The corridors being proposed for motorized dispersed camping are areas where dispersed camping has been identified. Alternative 1 would designate corridors that would provide for continued use of 14 out of 41 sites. People who have been using the 27 sites that will no longer be available, could feel displaced and discouraged from camping on the district. Additionally, increased crowding of designated dispersed motorized camping areas may occur, due to the reduction in acres available. Public concerns about litter in dispersed camping areas should be lessened, as opportunities for motorized dispersed camping is reduced, compared to the baseline. Alternative 2 Motorized cross-country travel would be prohibited and motorized activities would be limited to NFS roads. Prohibiting cross-country travel would benefit some forms of non-motorized recreation due to a reduction in disturbances from noise. No motorized dispersed camping corridors are considered under this alternative. The lack of motorized dispersed camping corridors could lead to the displacement of campers to other state or federal lands where motorized dispersed camping is permitted. The lack of motorized dispersed camping would lessen any potential litter from motorized dispersed camping. Alternative 3 This alternative includes motorized dispersed camping corridors along 10 miles of road. There would be 731 acres of motorized dispersed camping corridors available, which is less than one percent of the district. Alternative 3 would designate corridors that would provide for continued use of 29 out of 41 sites. This is 15 more dispersed camp sites than Alternative 1. It includes additional corridors in Mora County on the upper west side of the Canadian River Canyon and several locations north of K600 in the lower canyon. This designation of motorized dispersed camping corridors on the district would accommodate much of the known current pattern of use. Alternative 3 allows the most motorized dispersed camping opportunities, although it is more restrictive than the baseline, which does not limit dispersed motorized camping anywhere. The restricted area of motorized dispersed camping would reduce any potential litter from motorized dispersed camping. Comments indicated that some people may perceive the restrictions on motorized cross-country travel and motorized dispersed camping as a means of closing the district. Some people may no longer be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feelings of being closed out of their established areas. This alternative goes further than the other action alternatives by adding 67 miles of unauthorized roads to address this concern. Alternative 4 No motorized dispersed camping corridors are considered, and motorized camping would only be allowed one vehicle length or within 30 feet from currently open NFS roads. The restriction of motorized crosscountry travel coupled with no motorized dispersed camping corridors may affect those seeking these opportunities. The lack of these corridors could discourage people from camping in the area and send them to state or federal lands where motorized dispersed camping is permitted. The lack of motorized dispersed camping would lessen any potential litter from motorized dispersed camping. Comments indicated that some people may perceive the restrictions on motorized cross-country travel and motorized dispersed camping as a means of closing the grasslands. Some people may no longer be able to access areas they customarily use with motor vehicles, which would increase their feeling of being closed out of their established areas. This alternative is more restrictive than the other action alternatives and the baseline as no unauthorized roads are added. Page 17

18 Motorized Big Game Retrieval Baseline Conditions Cross-country motorized big game retrieval in the analysis area would continue. Alternative 1 (Proposed Action), Alternatives 2 and 4 No motorized travel off designated roads would be allowed for retrieving legally-downed big game animals. Compared to baseline conditions, this would provide a larger area for hunters who prefer solitude and minimal noise intrusion. However, hunters who have relied on motor vehicles to retrieve animals off of roads, will have reduced retrieval opportunities and may feel this reduces the quality of their hunting experiences. They may be displaced to areas off the district where motorized big game retrieval is permitted, or they may choose not to hunt. Hunters who prefer less intrusion by other motorized users may have an improved hunting experience. Alternative 3 Motorized big game retrieval on National Forest System lands would be allowed up to one-half mile on either side of designated Forest System Roads only for mule deer, white-tail deer and pronghorn antelope. This provides for motorized big game retrieval along approximately 321 miles of roads. No motorized big game retrieval will be allowed in the Canadian River Canyon or on the south side of roads K66 or K67 to prohibit crossing the historic Santa Fe Trail. For hunters seeking a quiet experience, this alternative may impact the quality of their hunt within and near areas where motorized big game retrieval is permitted. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) Baseline Conditions The baseline condition is 161,942 acres of Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM) and 68,900 acres of Roaded Natural (RN). The current level of motorized use is consistent with the definitions for these designations. If the trend of increasing miles of unauthorized roads continues, the natural or natural-appearing values of the ROS would be degraded. All Alternatives The prohibition of motorized cross-country travel would eliminate the continued proliferation of unauthorized routes. Unauthorized routes that are not added to the system would naturally revegetate over time and become less visually evident. These factors would result in a more natural appearing landscape than the baseline condition and be more consistent with the ROS settings of Semi-primitive Motorized and Roaded Natural. Developed Recreation Baseline Conditions Developed recreation use or visitor experience would continue as described in the existing conditions/ affected environment on the district. All Alternatives Effects of Travel Management would be minimal on developed campgrounds. Page 18

19 Inventoried Roadless Areas Baseline Conditions The baseline condition for the Canadian River IRA is that unrestricted motorized travel will continue in this area. Please refer to the Kiowa/Rita Blanca NG Mills Canyon map, located in Appendix A. In developing the map, a combination of fine and broad scale data was used and resulted in some map inaccuracies/errors. Due to the ongoing litigation the boundary was left as is. The most apparent error is that the IRA was drawn west of the district boundary and the southern-most portion did not adjoin the east section line of the State land. Some of this is also attributed to the IRA being some distance from where the center of the map projection is located. As listed in the affected environment, the following roads east of the river are not within the IRA; K600, K601, K602, K90, K90A, K91J, and K87B. The total mile of system roads in the IRA is 2.7 miles. This includes the portion of system road K600 beginning just east of the concrete crossing of the Canadian River west and south to the end of the system road. Much of the year this portion of K600 can be used by 2-wheel-drive vehicles but certain times of year may require 4-wheel drive. The other system road is the portion of K91 from the intersection of K600 west to the upper western rim, this road is primarily passable by ATV or UTV as a very large boulder near the top blocks use by full-sized vehicles. Under the baseline, these system roads would continue to be available for motorized use to provide semiprimitive motorized recreation opportunities. Cross-country motorized travel would also continue in the IRA. The baseline allows for the highest opportunities for semi-primitive motorized recreation and would provide the most access for dispersed camping and other associated recreation. However, there would continue to be potential for conflicts between motorized and non-motorized recreationists due to vehicle noise and presence. It offers the fewest opportunities for undisturbed semi-primitive non-motorized recreation. Over time, the small areas that are currently semi-primitive non-motorized may shift and become more semi-primitive motorized due to unrestricted motorized cross-country travel. As the trend of more motorized use continues, the natural-appearing landscape may be degraded. Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) The proposed action will allow motorized use on 1.2 miles of the existing system roads within the IRA. This is a 1.5 mile reduction in the baseline system roads within the IRA. The 1.5 miles of road is the length of K91 that will be restricted to administrative use. Compared to the other action alternatives, it is second highest in restricting motorized use within the IRA. Semi-primitive motorized and semi-primitive non-motorized classes of recreation were IRA characteristics when this IRA was designated. A 150-foot motorized dispersed camping corridor will be allowed on both sides of 1.1 miles of the 1.2 miles of road. This corridor would be along a portion of K600. The Cibola Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) currently does not place any restrictions on motorized camping, but corridors would allow motor vehicles to travel off the road that could over time degrade the IRA. Motorized cross-country travel would be eliminated, which would improve the roadless character by prohibiting vehicles off system roads and reducing motor vehicle noise. This alternative does not add any unauthorized roads to the system or coincidentally designate closed system roads as motorized trails within the roadless area. In comparison to the baseline, this alternative reduces the presence of motor vehicles and would enhance the roadless character, except for the dispersed camping corridor. Alternative 2 Motorized use would continue to be allowed on 2.8 miles of system roads in the IRA. There is no difference between this alternative and the baseline in terms of miles of system roads, and the same trends Page 19

20 for motorized versus non-motorized opportunities. Compared to the other action alternatives, it is third highest in restricting motorized use within the IRA. Dispersed camping corridors or motorized big game retrieval areas would not be designated in this alternative. Motorized cross-country travel would be eliminated, which will improve non-motorized dispersed opportunities by prohibiting vehicle presence and reducing motor vehicle noise. In comparison to the baseline, this alternative reduces the presence of motor vehicles and would provide some protection to the roadless character. Alternative 3 Alternative 3 provides for motorized use on 1.2 miles of system roads within the IRA. This alternative would close1.5 miles of system road and coincidentally designate them as motorized trails. In addition, 2.7 miles of unauthorized route would be added to the system as motorized trail. The trails were identified during the scoping period by the public desiring to have access where they currently like to ride. This is the only alternative that designates motorized trails. Compared to the other action alternatives, it is the least restrictive alternative for motorized use within the IRA. A 150-foot motorized dispersed camping corridor will be allowed on both sides of 1.1 miles of the 1.2 miles of road. This corridor would be along a portion of K600. A 150-foot corridor on either side of following two motorized trials will be designated: U_mil006 at the base of Ship Rock on the west side of the Canadian River for a length of 0.1 miles and U_mil005 on the east side of the Canadian River north of Ship Rock for a length of 0.1 miles. Total corridor along trails would be 0.2 miles. The Cibola Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) currently does not place any restrictions on motorized camping, but corridors would allow motor vehicles to travel off the road that could over time degrade the IRA. Motorized cross-country travel would be eliminated, which will improve the characteristics of the IRA by prohibiting vehicle presence and reducing motor vehicle noise off of designated roads and trails. In comparison to the baseline, this alternative reduces the presence of motor vehicles and would provide some protection to the roadless character. Alternative 4 No motorized use will be allowed in the IRA. This alternative enhances the roadless character of the IRA to a greater degree than any of the action alternatives. This alternative does not add any unauthorized roads to the system or designate motorized trails within the roadless area. No dispersed camping corridors or motorized big game retrieval areas are designated under this alternative. Motorized cross-country travel is eliminated, which will improve non-motorized dispersed opportunities by prohibiting vehicle presence and reducing motor vehicle noise. Compared to baseline, this alternative would provide the greatest reduction of motorized use within the IRA and provide most enhancement and protection of the roadless character. Wild and Scenic Rivers Baseline Conditions The baseline condition for eligible the Wild and Scenic River segment is that the present unrestricted motorized travel will continue to occur in the eligible scenic river corridor, resulting in degradation of the scenic quality of the river corridor and concurrent negative impact to the viewing experience of recreationists. Page 20

21 There are 3.7 miles of system and 3.5 miles of unauthorized roads within the eligible scenic river corridor, resulting in 7.2 miles of roads in the corridor. The baseline has no restrictions on motorized dispersed camping. Presently the eligible scenic river corridor is approximately 4,645 acres, although due to topography and the river, not all of this area is accessible for motorized dispersed camping. This is shown on the map located in Appendix A. Motorized use in the scenic river corridor is allowed, based on the Cibola National Forest LRMP. Cross-country travel and use of unauthorized routes will continue in the scenic river corridor. Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) Alternative 1 provides for motorized use of 3.3 miles of system and 0.3 mile of unauthorized roads that would be added to the system. The 0.3 mile of unauthorized road is U_mil011 as discussed in the Affected Environment under Motorized Activities. This 0.3 mile of road was identified multiple times during scoping as an area used for dispersed camping, and received many requests for this to continue along this road. No motorized trails are proposed under this alternative. Cross-country motorized travel is eliminated, preventing the proliferation of unauthorized routes and protecting the scenic quality and outstanding remarkable values of the river segment as described in the LRMP. This alternative designates 43.4 acres of dispersed camping corridors. It is third highest in enhancing and protecting the qualities of the eligible scenic river corridor when compared to the action alternatives. The dispersed camping corridor on the west side of the river along K600 would better manage this dispersed activity, but would not enhance or protect the scenic qualities. Alternative 2 Motorized use of the 3.7 miles of system roads within the eligible scenic river corridor would continue to be allowed. This is the same miles as the baseline. It does not add any additional unauthorized roads as roads, dispersed camping corridors or motorized trails within the eligible scenic river corridor. Crosscountry motorized travel is eliminated, preventing the proliferation of unauthorized routes and protecting the scenic quality and outstanding remarkable values of the river segment as found in the LRMP. Compared to the baseline, this alternative provides similar system road access, but by preventing crosscountry motorized travel, it reduces the visual impact of vehicles and tracks off system roads. No dispersed camping corridors will be designated. When compared with the action alternatives, it is the second highest for enhancing and protecting the qualities of the eligible scenic river corridor. Alternative 3 Motorized use of 3.3 miles of system roads would continue to be allowed. In addition, 0.3 miles of unauthorized roads would be added to the system for all motor vehicles and 3.1 miles of unauthorized routes would be added as motorized trails for vehicles 65 or less in width within the eligible scenic river corridor. These additions as trails were identified during the scoping period by the public desiring to have access where they currently like to ride. Cross-country motorized travel is eliminated, which prevents the proliferation of unauthorized routes and protects the scenic quality and outstanding remarkable values of the river segment as found in the LRMP. This alternative designates 41.9 acres of dispersed camping corridors. Compared to the baseline, this alternative has about the same miles of system roads, but adds dispersed camping corridors and motorized trails. The prohibition of cross-country travel would enhance and protect the qualities of the eligible scenic river. When compared with the action alternatives, it does the least for enhancing the qualities of the eligible scenic river corridor. This alternative provides fewer dispersed camping corridors but in more locations. The Cibola LRMP currently does not place any Page 21

22 restrictions on motorized camping, but corridors would allow motor vehicles to travel off the road that could over time degrade the scenic river qualities. Alternative 4 This alternative would continue to allow motorized use of 2.3 miles of system roads while the other 1.4 miles of NFS road would not be designated except for administrative use. It does not add any additional unauthorized roads as system roads or motorized trails within the eligible scenic river corridor. Crosscountry motorized travel is eliminated, and would prevent the proliferation of unauthorized routes and protect the scenic quality and outstanding remarkable values of the river segment as found in the LRMP. Compared to the baseline, this alternative provides the most enhancement of the scenic value by reducing system road access, and by preventing cross-country motorized travel, it reduces the visual impact of vehicles and tracks off of system roads. No dispersed camping corridors will be designated. When compared with the action alternatives, it is highest for enhancing the qualities of the eligible scenic river corridor. Cumulative Effects Wild and Scenic and IRA The geographic scope of the cumulative effects analysis was limited to the eligible Wild and Scenic River corridor and the boundary of the Canadian River IRA. The cumulative effects analysis for Wild and Scenic Rivers considers the impacts of the alternatives when combined with the past, present, and foreseeable future actions and events of fuels reduction and salt cedar eradication projects. These activities are the most likely to enhance the characteristics of the river segment that make it eligible for it s respective classification by improving the hydrologic function and restoring native vegetation to the riparian corridor. The environmental analyses of these projects also address effects to the other resources that comprise the outstandingly remarkable values. The cumulative effects from implementing the travel management project and the fuels reduction and salt cedar eradication projects are considered to be minimal. Recreation The geographic scope of the recreation analysis includes other public and private lands where motorized recreation is available within a three-hour drive of the district. These lands include other national forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and private OHV areas. This distance was determined based on CEQ guidance (40 CFR ) and is the distance that most people drive for motorized recreation on the district. There has been no indication through employee observations, public comments, or online research that the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands is a regional or national destination for motorized recreation. Most of the observed use is from the local communities in the tri-state area. While management of motorized recreation is changing on the district, there will still be motorized recreation available throughout the cumulative effects area, as well as on BLM lands and other lands. The BLM Taos and Amarillo Field Offices of the BLM manage lands near the district. The Amarillo Field Office has very little surface land ownership management. The Taos Field Office is revising their resource management plan, and the draft of the revised plan indicates that they are considering managing several areas for OHV use, although most of the areas are beyond the three-hour drive. The Travel Management Rule applies to all national forest lands. The Cibola, Carson, Gila and Santa Fe National Forests are currently completing travel management projects with the goal of producing motor vehicle use maps (MVUM). The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands has completed the travel Page 22

23 management process on the Sandia and Mt. Taylor Ranger Districts and the Black Kettle National Grasslands. The Mountainair and Magdalena Ranger Districts are in the process of completing their travel management projects There are several OHV areas within the cumulative effects area, primarily located on private land. Most of the New Mexico and Oklahoma state lands have OHV restrictions. The closest private OHV area is west of Roy, New Mexico where fee bouldering events occur. The next closest OHV area is on the Canadian River between Dumas and Amarillo, Texas. At the edge of the three-hour drive OHV trails are found in the vicinity of Lake Meredith, Texas and Lake McClellan, Texas. Depending on the alternative selected for this project, some motor vehicle users, such as OHV riders seeking a motorized trail opportunity might be displaced to other private, state and federal lands where motorized trails exist. Should Alternative 3 be selected with the motorized trails component, there would be an overall net addition of motorized trails across the Forest probably without an increase in Forest trail funding resulting in a need to seek outside funding to implement the trails system. References NPS USDI National Park Service Santa Fe National Historic Trail Comprehensive Management and Use Plan. USDI National Park Service, Denver Service Center. Denver Colorado. USFS USDA Forest Service Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Visitor Map USFS USDA Forest Service Cibola National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as Amended in 1987, 1990, 1991 and USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Albuquerque, New Mexico. USFS 2008, USDA Forest Service. Kiowa National Grassland Wilderness Evaluation Report for the Canadian River Potential Wilderness Area, PW G, October 17, USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Albuquerque, New Mexico. USFS USDA Forest Service. National Visitor Use Monitoring Results, March 2009, Data Collected FY 2006, Cibola National Forest To Grasslands. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico The Land of Enhancement Tourism Department Web Site Scenic Byways. and New Mexico Game & Fish. New Mexico Big Game & Trapper Rules & Information License Year. New Mexico Game & Fish. Web Site. (Date Accessed 7/15/2009). Page 23

24 New Mexico Game & Fish. Web Site Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Off-Road Vehicle Recreation in New Mexico The Senate Joint Memorial 40 Report. December Bureau of Land Management. New Mexico. Web site updated (Date Accessed July 22, 2009) New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. May Wildlife, Habitat and Hunting: New Mexico s Roadless Areas Santa Fe, NM New Mexico State Parks Division Recreational Trails Program website. Texas State Parks and Wildlife. Web Site Oklahoma Game and Fish. Web Site Page 24

25 Appendix A Page 25