Forest Service Proposes to Close 83% of Roads in Manzano & Gallinas Mountains

The Mountainair Ranger District revealed its Travel Management proposal today, which would ban the use of all motor vehicles on over 80% of the roads in the Manzano and Gallinas Mountains. This will affect all vehicles includes motorcycles, ATVs, and 4WDs. It also affects all members of the public, including hunters. According to the proposal, there are currently 471 miles of unpaved roads legally open to vehicles, 411 miles of which are ‘Jeep’ roads. The proposal would ban motor vehicles from all but 179 miles. The proposal also virtually eliminates using a motor vehicle for camping alongside roads. Known as ‘dispersed camping’, motor vehicle camping would be allowed on less than 15 miles of road. This is a reduction of 97% of the currently allowed vehicle camping. The public has 30 days to comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails. These proposals are in the Draft Environmental Assessment for Travel Management on the Mountainair Ranger District. The 30 day comment period will end on April 3, 2010. Those who provide comments during this comment period will be eligible to appeal the final decision...read more