U.S. Forest Service Seeks Public Comment On South Rampart Travel Management Plan
Jun 17, 2009

News Release
USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
Pike, San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron, Comanche National Grasslands
 
Pikes Peak Ranger District
601 South Weber
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/pp/


For Immediate Release
Contacts: Frank Landis, 719-477-4203

U.S. Forest Service Seeks Public Comment On Travel Plan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 17, 2009 -The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Pikes Peak Ranger District is seeking comments on the South Rampart Travel Management Plan (Plan) proposal. Ultimately, the plan will determine motorized roads and trails and non-motorized trails on National Forest lands within El Paso and Teller Counties.

The goal of this effort is to provide a diverse, functional and sustainable transportation system that balances resource protection, public safety, and current and anticipated future recreational demands. Interested parties are invited to learn more about the project at two open-house format public scoping meetings this June.

The project area consists of 121,168 acres of USFS lands located north of Colorado Springs and east of Woodland Park and Highway 67 to the forest boundary and along the I-25 corridor. This includes the Rampart Range Road #300, Mount Herman Road #320, Rainbow Falls Motorized Trail System, several watersheds, and two 2001 Inventoried Roadless Areas.

According to Project Manager Frank Landis, "Public access is the foundation of how and where the public utilizes their National Forests. This Plan will create the framework for future opportunities for many forest visitors. It will define where motor vehicles can legally travel".

In February 2009, the Pike Peak Ranger District published their Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). This map identifies the designated system of roads and trails that allow motorized travel. Motorized travel is prohibited on or off routes not shown on the MVUM. This map is available on-line at www.fs.fed.us/R2/psicc/mvum_pprd09.pdf.

The travel management project will provide the USFS with critical information to revise the MVUM and further guide management decisions related to improving, relocating, building, or decommissioning travel routes and other facilities in the project area. A Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Decision is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2010. There will be additional opportunities for public comment during the Draft EA and as specific alternatives are developed. Three sets of public meetings are planned.

These are the first of three sets of open house meetings:

Wednesday, June 24 2009
Open House from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Coronado High School, Commons
1590 W. Fillmore Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Open House from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Woodland Park High School
Woodland Park High School Drive
Woodland Park, Colorado

A copy of the scoping letter and map of the project area are available on the web page at www.fs.fed.us/R2/psicc/pp at the bottom under related links; So. Rampart Travel Management Plan. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit written comments by July 6, 2009. Comments may be sent by e-mail to: comment@southrampart.net or via mail at: EDAW/AECOM, Attn: South rampart TMP/EA, 240 E. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524

For additional information, please contact Frank Landis, Supervisory Outdoor Recreation Planner, at flandis@fs.fed.us or, call 719-477-4203.

Recent Events

06/25/09 - South Rampart Travel Management meeting - Woodland Park

06/24/09 - South Rampart Travel Management meeting - Colorado Springs

Links

U.S. Forest Service Seeks Public Comment On South Rampart Travel Management Plan - USFS press release 6/17/09 [details]

Organizations

Pike & San Isabel NF - Pikes Peak District

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