Appendix B: Forest Plan Direction 

Ashland Travel Management Final EIS - Appendix B Page B-1

Appendix B: Forest Plan Direction 

B.1 RELATIONSHIP TO FOREST PLAN 

The 1986 Custer National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan (Forest Plan) directs 

management of all Federal lands within the Ashland Ranger District. The Forest Plan provides both 

Forest-wide Management direction and direction for specific management areas. Forest Plan forestwide goals, objectives, and standards are found in chapter II, pages 3-39. Management Area direction 

is found in chapter III page 41-99 of the Forest Plan. Forest Plan direction related to travel 

management is listed in the following Table. 

Table B.1. Forest Plan management direction related to travel management. 

Management Area: 

Goal Description 

Acres1

(% of District Total Acres) 

Current FP Management Direction 

Forest-wide Management Direction

Forest-wide 

The goal of providing for public access to and within the Forest is to provide at least an 

access point per five miles of administrative boundary where there is not adequate access 

from inside Nation Forest System land. However, the intent will not be to provide road/trail 

access to all areas on the Forest (pages 3-4). 

Forest-wide 

The goal of recreation management is to provide a broad spectrum of recreation experience 

opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, with due consideration for other 

forest uses and resources (page 4). 

Forest-wide 

The Forest transportation system required by this plan will be constructed and managed to 

minimize adverse impacts on the resources, while providing access to public lands for the 

public and for the management of the resources (page 5). 

Forest-wide 

Travel restrictions will be developed and maintained to meet land management objectives. 

These restrictions will provide reasonable access for public recreation, hunting and range 

maintenance/administration, but will confine motorized vehicles to specific roads, trails, or 

areas identified on a map. Vehicular access of these designated locations will be prohibited, 

except by permit. A map and information showing closures, restrictions, and opportunities 

on the Forest for motorized and nonmotorized use will be provided to the public (page 13). 

Management Area Direction

B: 

To provide for continuation of 

livestock grazing... 

230,844Ac 

(~ 46%) 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

a. Semi-primitive motorized, and roaded natural recreation opportunities will be 

provided (page 45). 

7. Facilities

a. The arterial and collector system will be maintained for public use (page 47). 

 

1

 Acres are base on the currently avialable GIS information. 
Appendix B: Forest Plan Direction 

Page B-2 Ashland Travel Management Final EIS - Appendix B

Table B.1. Forest Plan management direction related to travel management. 

Management Area: 

Goal Description 

Acres1

(% of District Total Acres) 

Current FP Management Direction 

D: 

Maintain or improve long-term 

diversity and quality of habitat 

for elk, bighorn sheep, black 

bear, and moose... 

178,419 Ac 

(~ 35%) 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

a. The travel plan for these areas will provide reasonable access for public recreation, 

hunting, and range maintenance and administration, but will confine motorized 

vehicles to specific roads and trails during critical periods to protect wildlife and 

other resources (page 53). 

7. Facilities 

a. Access roads needed to meet legal obligations will be provided as required, but 

roads will be routed to minimize loss of wildlife habitat. 

c. Existing county and Forest Service arterial and collector roads will be maintained 

and reconstructed/upgraded as necessary. This may include realignment or 

relocation to meet public safety requirements, reduce erosion or reduce/eliminate 

conflicts with wildlife and fish habitat (page 56). 

F: 

Provide a spectrum of 

recreation opportunities... 

108 Ac 

(< 1%) 

C. Management Standards 

9. Facilities 

a. Roads will be maintained for safety, soil and water protection, and to provide for 

travel of passenger carrying vehicles. 

b. If specific campgrounds are closed, the roads within them will also be closed (page 

63).

G: 

Manage these areas for the 

maintenance and improvement 

of a healthy diverse forest and 

as a source of wood products... 

54,071 Ac 

(~ 11%) 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation 

a. The recreation setting will primarily be roaded-natural and rural. Small areas of 

semi-primitive nonmotorized/motorized will occur, particularly where key wildlife 

habitat areas are protected from other resource activities (page 64). 

6. Facilities 

a. Roads within this management area are generally multiple use roads, exceptions 

may be some of those constructed for minerals development. 

b. Road management will be determined by the long-term needs of mineral and 

timber management. Locations will serve long-term uses for all resources. Use 

and travel restrictions will be considered to benefit or reduce adverse impacts to 

wildlife. The roads will be part of the Forest Transportation System and may be 

closed when not needed (page 65). 

J: 

To maintain these areas in a 

Low Development Area

setting,...

38,620 Ac 

(~ 8%) 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

b. On the Ashland Ranger District, this area will be closed to motorized vehicle use 

(page 72). 

L: 

Existing and proposed 

Research Natural Areas 

464 Ac 

(< 1%) 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

a. Recreation use will not be encouraged. 

g. Trails will not be constructed within these areas (page 78). 

8. Facilities

a. Roads and other facilities will not be constructed in these areas. 

b. Existing public roads may be retained. Reconstruction will be allowed for public 

safety and protection of the soil and water resource (page 79). 
Appendix B: Forest Plan Direction 

Ashland Travel Management Final EIS - Appendix B Page B-3

Table B.1. Forest Plan management direction related to travel management. 

Management Area: 

Goal Description 

Acres1

(% of District Total Acres) 

Current FP Management Direction 

M: 

 [Riparian area] Manage to 

protect from conflicting uses in 

order to provide healthy, selfperpetuating plant and water 

communities.... 

Not Mapped 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

b. Motorized use will be restricted to existing roads and trails (page 80). 

7. Facilities 

b. Road closures will be implemented as necessary to be compatible with the adjacent 

management area direction or protect riparian or wildlife and fishery habitat 

values, other resources, or public safety. 

c. Existing roads may be retained if necessary for resource management and 

reconstructed as needed for public safety and resource protection. 

f. Minimize the number of roads and/or pipelines crossing this management area to 

minimize disturbance of this ecosystem (page 81). 

N: 

[Wood draws] To provide 

healthy, self-perpetuating plant 

and water communities.... 

Not Mapped 

C. Management Standards 

1. Recreation

c. Motorized use will be restricted to existing roads and trail (page 83). 

7. Facilities 

b. Road closures will be implemented as necessary to be compatible with the adjacent 

management area direction or to protect woody draws, wildlife habitat, and other 

resources, or public safety. 

c. Existing roads may be retained if necessary for resource management and 

reconstructed as needed for public safety and resource protection (page 84). 

P: 

Provide adequate facilities for 

forest administration 

333 Ac 

(<1%) 

1. Recreation

a. Interpretive facilities may be used at these sites to inform the public (page88). 
Appendix B: Forest Plan Direction 

Page B-4 Ashland Travel Management Final EIS - Appendix B

- End of Appendix B -