GJFO Travel Management Frequently Asked Questions (New 4/5/2013) Clarification of Guidance and Integration of Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Planning into the Land Use Planning Travel and transportation are an integral part of virtually every activity that occurs on BLM-administered public lands within the GJFO. Recreation, management of livestock, wildlife, and commodity resources, rights-of-way, access to private inholdings, maintenance of electronic sites, and the day-to-day management and monitoring of the GJFO all rely on effective travel management planning. Travel management includes all forms of transportation, including travel by foot, horseback, and mechanized vehicles such as bicycles as well as the numerous forms of motorized vehicles from two-wheeled (motorcycles) and four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to cars and trucks. Two overall types of travel management decisions are being made in this RMP: 1. geographic areas, or “polygons” are designated open to cross country travel, closed to one or more modes of travel, or limited to designated routes to one or more modes of travel (see Chapter 2). 2. Within limited polygons, all routes must be designated to appropriate modes of travel. For example, open to all uses, limited to specific uses or dates of use or closed (see Appendix M). Limitations to travel or modes of travel by area or route are a reflection of management objectives found in other resources or programs. These commonly include: significant habitat for plant and/or wildlife protection; extreme slopes and other soils concerns; special designations like wilderness study areas or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern; and recreation related objectives. The initial route inventory completed in 2009 found roughly 4,000 miles of existing routes within the field office. Each alternative weighs the use or purpose of the route with resource objectives or conflicts in the analysis to determine designations. “Limited to designated routes” is the default allocation for motorized and mechanized use in the planning area. All areas outside of the open and closed polygons by alternative are limited. Limitations vary by modes of travel, seasons of use, and types of user. Generally, horse and foot travel is not limited to designated routes. Certain areas with high use, sensitive resources, or potential conflict with other users require that foot and horse travel is limited to designated routes or, in some alternatives, excluded all together. |