The BLM will manage motorized and other access on BLM-managed public lands in accordance with existing legislation, executive orders, proclamation, regulation and policy.

The BLM defines appropriate access to the public lands through the land use planning process, which involves the public.

The BLM’s land use planning process includes preparation of Resource Management Plans (RMPs, which usually cover large areas, and subsequent activity plans, which are more site-specific documents). The planning process is flexible and allows for revision, amendment or maintenance of these completed plans when the need arises and it is appropriate under existing laws, executive orders, proclamation, regulation and policy.

The BLM released the Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1) in November 2000. Guidance for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) designations in the land use planning process was incorporated in the Recreation Section (Appendix C, Section II. C.).

As field offices implemented the guidance for RMP development, revision or amendment, they identified a need to 1) clarify how to implement the guidance in the recreation section, and 2) introduce refinements to the existing process.

In almost every case, reaching a decision on designation of OHV routes within the planning area is controversial, complex, or hampered by lack of resource data, conflicts in planning schedules, or budget shortfall. If route designations in limited areas cannot be readily solved, the completion of an entire RMP may be delayed for many years, or may never be completed.

Road and trail access (and OHV management) guidance will be incorporated into every RMP to ensure public and resource needs are met. At a minimum, each RMP will divide planning areas into OHV area designations that are open, limited or closed. The RMP will include a map of area designations.

Specific criteria for open, limited and closed designations are provided in definitions outlined in 43 CFR 8340.0-5 (f), (g) and (h). Additional criteria are provided by existing law, proclamation, executive order, regulation or policy.

This clarification requires that all area designations for open, limited and closed continue to be completed at the RMP level, and recommends that route-specific road and trail selections in limited areas be completed in the RMP whenever possible. However, where route designations cannot be completed in the RMP, it allows route designations to be completed during the implementation phase. It strongly recommends route designations in limited areas be completed within five years.

No. This clarification provides additional information for existing guidance.

Route designations only apply to limited areas. This clarification allows for this process to be completed within five years following completion of the resource management plan.

For any limited area or sub-area where the route selections cannot be completed in the RMP, the BLM will, to the extent possible:

-incorporate a map of a preliminary road and trail network, including known roads or trails that are expected to be included in the final network;

-define short-term management guidance for road and trail access and activities, including interim management guidelines for proper identification of the preliminary road and trail network, including signing and maintenance of open roads and trails;

-outline additional data needs and a strategy to collect needed information;

- establish a clear planning sequence, including public collaboration, criteria and constraints for subsequent road and trail selection and identification;

-produce a schedule to complete the limited area or sub-area road and trail selection process. Normally, this process should not exceed five years; and

- install signs and, in some cases, construct barriers or perform restoration on closed roads and trails.

Route designations in limited areas will be more successful if field office staff can work on smaller areas at a time, rather than trying to complete all designations within large planning areas covered by the resource management plan. This clarification will provide additional flexibility for travel management, streamline the OHV designation process, and improve overall planning outcomes.

The BLM sees this clarification as an effective way to meet its planning schedule and effectively plan for route designation in limited areas. This is important to field-level planners because it tells them at what point they can designate travel routes in limited areas.

The clarification is intended to increase the amount of time field personnel can take to designate roads and trails in limited areas. This will allow them to solve complex issues, collect additional data, deal with conflicts in planning schedules or budget shortfalls, and have additional involvement from the public. This additional time will result in a more complete picture and more accurate data on which to base designations. This additional information may or may not result in additional OHV use limitations, but it will result in better management of our public lands and natural resources, and will give the public the opportunity to be more involved in the decisions.

These clarifications are in effect immediately.

Guidance provided in BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1 Appendix C, Section II.C.1., Release 1-1667, 11/22/00)

The BLM Washington Office Recreation and Planning Groups prepared this guidance, after extensive consultation with BLM state leads for OHV and travel management, recreation and planning, the National Travel and Trails Team, and the Washington Office National Landscape Conservation System staff.

Contact your local BLM recreation or planning staff; or Hal Hallett, Acting National OHV Coordinator, Washington Office (202) 452-7794; or Scott Florence, Senior Planner, Washington Office (202) 452-5151.

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