The much anticipated draft Off Road Vehicle (ORV) rule was released by the Forest Service today. For a link to information about the proposal please go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/index.shtml.

A couple of components of the proposed rule might be beneficial if and when they are effectively implemented on the ground. These include:

* Prohibiting cross-country travel by motor vehicles except under limited circumstances; and

* Authorizing ATV and dirt bike use only on roads and off-road vehicle routes specifically designated as open for such use.

However, the Forest Service refused to make any firm commitment to starting and completing the route designation process in a reasonable period of time in the proposed rule. Even though Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth has identified unmanaged off-road vehicle use as one of the greatest threats to National Forests, the proposal highlights the importance of "enhancing" opportunities for off-road vehicle recreation rather than actually regulating ORV use. In general, the proposed rule does not go far enough to solve the ever-growing problem of unregulated ORV use on our National Forests.

To ensure necessary protections for our National Forests, wildlife and other recreational users, and to make the rule meaningful the Forest Service must include additional measures in the final rule. The most important of these include:

* Within two years, designating roads and routes that are appropriate for off-road vehicle travel. At the end of this period, such use could only occur on designated roads and routes;

* Designating roads and routes based on a full and public analysis of the site-specific environmental impacts and user-conflicts;

* Immediately barring use of all unauthorized, renegade routes; and

* Authorizing off-road vehicle use only to the extent that effective monitoring and enforcement are annually funded and implemented.

The agency needs to hear from us that we want strong ORV regulations that truly address the severe ORV problem on our National Forests. The comment period is 60 days and we must activate our networks to get considerable comments into the agency. Please consider reserving a space in your newsletter, or getting out an alert to your members to help in this comment drive. American Lands will send out a more detailed analysis of the rule, a sample comment letter, and talking points later next week.

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Lisa Dix

National Forest Program Director

American Lands Alliance

ldix@americanlands.org Ph: 202-547-9105; Fax: 202-547-9213