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Appendix A: 2005 Motorized Travel Rule 

36 CFR Parts 212, 251, 261, and 295 Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor 

Vehicle Use; Final Rule: 

4. Text of the Final Rule 

List of Subjects 

36 CFR Part 212: Highways and roads, National Forests, Public lands—rights-of-way, and 

Transportation. 

36 CFR Part 251: Administrative practice and procedure, Electric power, National Forests, Public 

lands rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water resources. 

36 CFR Part 261: Law enforcement, National Forests. 

36 CFR Part 295: National Forests, Traffic regulations. 

Therefore, for the reasons set out in the preamble, amend part 212, subpart B of part 251, and subpart 

A of part 261, and remove part 295 of title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: 

PART 212—TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

1. Amend part 212 by revising the part heading to read as set forth above. 

1a. Remove the authority citation for part 212. 

2. Designate §§ 212.1 through 212.21 as subpart A to read as set forth below: 

Subpart A—Administration of the Forest Transportation System 

2a. Add an authority citation for new subpart A to read as set forth below: 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 551, 23 U.S.C. 205. 

3. Amend § 212.1 as follows: 

a. In alphabetical order, add the following definitions: administrative unit; area; designated road, trail, 

or area; forest road or trail; forest transportation system; motor vehicle; motor vehicle use map; 

National Forest System road; National Forest System trail; off-highway vehicle; over-snow vehicle; 

road construction or reconstruction; temporary road or trail; trail; travel management atlas; and 

unauthorized road or trail; and 

b. Revise the definitions for forest transportation atlas, forest transportation facility, and road; and 

c. Remove the definitions for classified road, new road construction, road reconstruction, temporary 

road, and unclassified road. 

§ 212.1 Definitions. 

Administrative unit. A National Forest, a National Grassland, a purchase unit, a land utilization 

project, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Land Between the Lakes, Lake Tahoe Basin 

Management Unit, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, or other comparable unit of the National 

Forest System. 

Area. A discrete, specifically delineated space that is smaller, and in most cases much smaller, than a 

Ranger District. 
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Designated road, trail, or area. A National Forest System road, a National Forest System trail, or an 

area on National Forest System lands that is designated for motor vehicle use pursuant to § 212.51 on 

a motor vehicle use map. 

Forest road or trail. A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National 

Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and 

utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources. 

Forest transportation atlas. A display of the system of roads, trails, and airfields of an administrative 

unit. 

Forest transportation facility. A forest road or trail or an airfield that is displayed in a forest 

transportation atlas, including bridges, culverts, parking lots, marine access facilities, safety devices, 

and other improvements appurtenant to the forest transportation system. 

Forest transportation system. The system of National Forest System roads, National Forest System 

trails, and airfields on National Forest System lands. 

Motor vehicle. Any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than: 

(1) A vehicle operated on rails; and 

(2) Any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that is battery-powered, that is designed solely 

for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion, and that is suitable for use in an indoor 

pedestrian area. 

Motor vehicle use map. A map reflecting designated roads, trails, and areas on an administrative unit 

or a Ranger District of the National Forest System. 

National Forest System road. A forest road other than a road which has been authorized by a legally 

documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. 

National Forest System trail. A forest trail other than a trail which has been authorized by a legally 

documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. 

Off-highway vehicle. Any motor vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or 

immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain. 

Over-snow vehicle. A motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow and that runs on a track or 

tracks and/or a ski or skis, while in use over snow. 

Road. A motor vehicle route over 50 inches wide, unless identified and managed as a trail. 

Road construction or reconstruction. Supervising, inspecting, actual building, and incurrence of all 

costs incidental to the construction or reconstruction of a road. 

Temporary road or trail. A road or trail necessary for emergency operations or authorized by 

contract, permit, lease, or other written authorization that is not a forest road or trail and that is not 

included in a forest transportation atlas. 

Trail. A route 50 inches or less in width or a route over 50 inches wide that is identified and managed 

as a trail. 

Travel management atlas. An atlas that consists of a forest transportation atlas and a motor vehicle 

use map or maps. 

Unauthorized road or trail. A road or trail that is not a forest road or trail or a temporary road or trail 

and that is not included in a forest transportation atlas. 

4. Amend § 212.2 by redesignating paragraphs (b) as (d), revising paragraph (a), and adding new 

paragraphs (b) and 

(c) to read as follows: 

§ 212.2 Forest transportation program. 

(a) Travel management atlas. For each administrative unit of the National Forest System, the 

responsible official must develop and maintain a travel management atlas, which is to be available to 

the public at the headquarters of that administrative unit. 
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(b) Forest transportation atlas. A forest transportation atlas may be updated to reflect new 

information on the existence and condition of roads, trails, and airfields of the administrative unit. A 

forest transportation atlas does not contain inventories of temporary roads, which are tracked by the 

project or activity authorizing the temporary road. The content and maintenance requirements for a 

forest transportation atlas are identified in the Forest Service directives system. 

(c) Program of work for the forest transportation system. A program of work for the forest 

transportation system shall be developed each fiscal year in accordance with procedures prescribed by 

the Chief. 

5. Amend § 212.5 as follows: 

a. Revise paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)(ii); 

b. Revise the heading for paragraph (c) introductory text to read as set forth below: 

c. Revise the heading for paragraph (d) introductory text to read as set forth below: 

§ 212.5 Road system management. 

(a) Traffic rules.

(1) General. Traffic on roads is subject to State traffic laws where applicable except when in conflict 

with designations established under subpart B of this part or with the rules at 36 CFR part 261. 

(2) Specific. 

(ii) Roads, or segments thereof, may be restricted to use by certain classes of vehicles or types of 

traffic as provided in 36 CFR part 261. Classes of vehicles may include but are not limited to 

distinguishable groupings such as passenger cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, 4-

wheel drive vehicles, off-highway vehicles, and trailers. Types of traffic may include but are not 

limited to groupings such as commercial hauling, recreation, and administrative. 

 (c) Cost recovery on National Forest System roads. 

(d) Maintenance and reconstruction of National Forest System roads by users. 

6. Amend § 212.7 by revising the paragraph heading and text of paragraph 

(a) to read as follows: 

§ 212.7 Access procurement by the United States. 

(a) Existing or proposed forest roads that are or will be part of a transportation system of a State, 

county, or other local public road authority. 

Forest roads that are or will be part of a transportation system of a State, county, or other local public 

road authority and are on rights-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority 

may be constructed, reconstructed, improved, or maintained by the Forest Service when there is an 

appropriate agreement with the State, county, or other local public road authority under 23 U.S.C. 205 

and the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or maintenance is essential to provide safe and 

economical access to National Forest System lands. 

7. Amend § 212.10 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows: 

§ 212.10 Maximum economy National Forest System roads. 

 (d) By a combination of these methods, provided that where roads are to be constructed at a higher 

standard than the standard—consistent with applicable environmental laws and regulations—that is 

sufficient for harvesting and removal of National Forest timber and other products covered by a 

particular sale, the purchaser of the timber and other products shall not be required to bear the part of 

the cost necessary to meet the higher standard, and the Chief may make such arrangements to achieve 

this end as may be appropriate. 
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§ 212.20 [Removed and reserved] 

8. Remove and reserve § 212.20. 

9. Add a new subpart B to read as follows: 

Subpart B—Designation of Roads, Trails, and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use 

Sec. 212.50 Purpose, scope, and definitions. 

212.51 Designation of roads, trails, and areas. 

212.52 Public involvement. 

212.53 Coordination with Federal, State, county, and other local governmental entities and tribal 

governments. 

212.54 Revision of designations. 

212.55 Criteria for designation of roads, trails, and areas. 

212.56 Identification of designated roads, trails, and areas. 

212.57 Monitoring of effects of motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails and in designated 

areas. 

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1011(f), 16 U.S.C. 551, 

E.O. 11644, 11989 (42 FR 26959). 

§ 212.50 Purpose, scope, and definitions. 

(a) Purpose. This subpart provides for a system of National Forest System roads, National Forest 

System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands that are designated for motor vehicle use. 

After these roads, trails, and areas are designated, motor vehicle use, including the class of vehicle and 

time of year, not in accordance with these designations is prohibited by 36 CFR 261.13. Motor vehicle 

use off designated roads and trails and outside designated areas is prohibited by 36 CFR 261.13. 

(b) Scope. The responsible official may incorporate previous administrative decisions regarding travel 

management made under other authorities, including designations and prohibitions of motor vehicle 

use, in designating National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National 

Forest System lands for motor vehicle use under this subpart. 

(c) For definitions of terms used in this subpart, refer to § 212.1 in subpart A of this part. 

§ 212.51 Designation of roads, trails, and areas. 

(a) General. Motor vehicle use on National Forest System roads, on National Forest System trails, 

and in areas on National Forest System lands shall be designated by vehicle class and, if appropriate, 

by time of year by the responsible official on administrative units or Ranger Districts of the National 

Forest System, provided that the following vehicles and uses are exempted from these designations: 

(1) Aircraft; 

(2) Watercraft; 

(3) Over-snow vehicles (see § 212.81); 

(4) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; 

(5) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; 

(6) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; 

(7) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; and 

(8) Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued under Federal 

law or regulations. 

(b) Motor vehicle use for dispersed camping or big game retrieval. In designating routes, the 

responsible official may include in the designation the limited use of motor vehicles within a specified 

distance of certain designated routes, and if appropriate within specified time periods, solely for the 
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purposes of dispersed camping or retrieval of a downed big game animal by an individual who has 

legally taken that animal. 

§ 212.52 Public involvement. 

(a) General. The public shall be allowed to participate in the designation of National Forest System 

roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands and revising those 

designations pursuant to this subpart. Advance notice shall be given to allow for public comment, 

consistent with agency procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act, on proposed 

designations and revisions. Public notice with no further public involvement is sufficient if a National 

Forest or Ranger District has made previous administrative decisions, under other authorities and 

including public involvement, which restrict motor vehicle use over the entire National Forest or 

Ranger District to designated routes and areas, and no change is proposed to these previous decisions 

and designations. 

(b) Absence of public involvement in temporary, emergency closures. (1) General. Nothing in this 

section shall alter or limit the authority to implement temporary, emergency closures pursuant to 36 

CFR part 261, subpart B, without advance public notice to provide short-term resource protection or 

to protect public health and safety. 

(2) Temporary, emergency closures based on a determination of considerable adverse effects. If the 

responsible official determines that motor vehicle use on a National Forest System road or National 

Forest System trail or in an area on National Forest System lands is directly causing or will directly 

cause considerable adverse effects on public safety or soil, vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat, or 

cultural resources associated with that road, trail, or area, the responsible official shall immediately 

close that road, trail, or area to motor vehicle use until the official determines that such adverse effects 

have been mitigated or eliminated and that measures have been implemented to prevent future 

recurrence. The responsible official shall provide public notice of the closure pursuant to 36 CFR 

261.51, including reasons for the closure and the estimated duration of the closure, as soon as 

practicable following the closure. 

§ 212.53 Coordination with Federal, State, county, and other local governmental entities and 

tribal governments. 

The responsible official shall coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, county, and other local 

governmental entities and tribal governments when designating National Forest System roads, 

National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands pursuant to this subpart. 

§ 212.54 Revision of designations. 

Designations of National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National 

Forest System lands pursuant to § 212.51 may be revised as needed to meet changing conditions. 

Revisions of designations shall be made in accordance with the requirements for public involvement 

in § 212.52, the requirements for coordination with governmental entities in § 212.53, and the criteria 

in § 212.55, and shall be reflected on a motor vehicle use map pursuant to § 212.56. 

 

§ 212.55 Criteria for designation of roads, trails, and areas. 

(a) General criteria for designation of National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, 

and areas on National Forest System lands. In designating National Forest System roads, National 

Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands for motor vehicle use, the responsible 

official shall consider effects on National Forest System natural and cultural resources, public safety, 

provision of recreational opportunities, access needs, conflicts among uses of National Forest System 

lands, the need for maintenance and administration of roads, trails, and areas that would arise if the 
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uses under consideration are designated; and the availability of resources for that maintenance and 

administration. 

(b) Specific criteria for designation of trails and areas. In addition to the criteria in paragraph (a) of 

this section, in designating National Forest System trails and areas on National Forest System lands, 

the responsible official shall consider effects on the following, with the objective of minimizing: 

(1) Damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, and other forest resources; 

(2) Harassment of wildlife and significant disruption of wildlife habitats; 

(3) Conflicts between motor vehicle use and existing or proposed recreational uses of National Forest 

System lands or neighboring Federal lands; and 

(4) Conflicts among different classes of motor vehicle uses of National Forest System lands or 

neighboring Federal lands. 

In addition, the responsible official shall consider: 

(5) Compatibility of motor vehicle use with existing conditions in populated areas, taking into account 

sound, emissions, and other factors. 

(c) Specific criteria for designation of roads. In addition to the criteria in paragraph (a) of this 

section, in designating National Forest System roads, the responsible official shall consider: 

(1) Speed, volume, composition, and distribution of traffic on roads; and 

(2) Compatibility of vehicle class with road geometry and road surfacing. 

(d) Rights of access. In making designations pursuant to this subpart, the responsible official shall 

recognize: 

(1) Valid existing rights; and 

(2) The rights of use of National Forest System roads and National Forest System trails under § 

212.6(b). 

(e) Wilderness areas and primitive areas. National Forest System roads, National Forest System 

trails, and areas on National Forest System lands in wilderness areas or primitive areas shall not be 

designated for motor vehicle use pursuant to this section, unless, in the case of wilderness areas, motor 

vehicle use is authorized by the applicable enabling legislation for those areas. 

§ 212.56 Identification of designated roads, trails, and areas. 

Designated roads, trails, and areas shall be identified on a motor vehicle use map. Motor vehicle use 

maps shall be made available to the public at the headquarters of corresponding administrative units 

and Ranger Districts of the National Forest System and, as soon as practicable, on the website of 

corresponding administrative units and Ranger Districts. The motor vehicle use maps shall specify the 

classes of vehicles and, if appropriate, the times of year for which use is designated. 

§ 212.57 Monitoring of effects of motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails and in 

designated areas. 

For each administrative unit of the National Forest System, the responsible official shall monitor the 

effects of motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails and in designated areas under the 

jurisdiction of that responsible official, consistent with the applicable land management plan, as 

appropriate and feasible. 

10. Add a new subpart C to read as follows: 

Subpart C—Use by Over-Snow Vehicles 

Sec. 212.80 Purpose, scope, and definitions. 

212.81 Use by over-snow vehicles. 
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Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1011(f), 16 U.S.C. 551, 

E.O. 11644, 11989 (42 FR 26959). 

§ 212.80 Purpose, scope, and definitions. 

The purpose of this subpart is to provide for regulation of use by over-snow vehicles on National 

Forest System roads and National Forest System trails and in areas on National Forest System lands. 

For definitions of terms used in this subpart, refer to § 212.1 in subpart A of this part. 

§ 212.81 Use by over-snow vehicles. 

(a) General. Use by over-snow vehicles on National Forest System roads and National Forest System 

trails and in areas on National Forest System lands may be allowed, restricted, or prohibited. 

(b) Exemptions from restrictions and prohibitions. The following uses are exempted from 

restrictions and prohibitions on use by over-snow vehicles: 

(1) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; 

(2) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; 

(3) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; 

(4) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; and 

(5) Use by over-snow vehicles that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued 

under Federal law or regulations. 

(c) Establishment of restrictions and prohibitions. If the responsible official proposes restrictions or 

prohibitions on use by over-snow vehicles under this subpart, the requirements governing designation 

of National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System 

lands in §§ 212.52, 212.53, 212.54, 212.55, 212.56, and 212.57 shall apply to establishment of those 

restrictions or prohibitions. In establishing restrictions or prohibitions on use by over-snow vehicles, 

the responsible official shall recognize the provisions concerning rights of access in sections 811(b) 

and 1110(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3121(b) and 3170(a), 

respectively). 

PART 251—LAND USES 

Subpart B—Special Uses 

11. Revise the authority citation for part 251, subpart B, to read as follows: 

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1011(f); 16 U.S.C. 460l– 6a, 460l–6d, 472, 497b, 497c, 551, 580d, 1134, 3210; 

30 U.S.C. 185; 43 U.S.C. 1740, 1761–1771. 

12. Amend § 251.51 by revising the definitions for ‘‘forest road or trail’’ and ‘‘National Forest 

System road’’ to read as follows: 

§ 251.51 Definitions. 

Forest road or trail. A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National 

Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and 

utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources. 

National Forest System road. A forest road other than a road which has been authorized by a legally 

documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. 
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PART 261—PROHIBITIONS 

13. The authority citation for part 261 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1011(f); 16 U.S.C. 460l– 6d, 472, 551, 620(f), 1133(c)–(d)(1), 1246(i). 

14. Amend § 261.2 to revise the definitions for ‘‘motor vehicle,’’ ‘‘forest road or trail,’’ ‘‘National 

Forest System road,’’ and ‘‘National Forest System trail,’’ and add definitions in alphabetical order 

for ‘‘administrative unit’’ and ‘‘area,’’ to read as follows: 

Subpart A—General Prohibitions 

§ 261.2 Definitions. 

Administrative unit. A National Forest, a National Grassland, a purchase unit, a land utilization 

project, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Land Between the Lakes, Lake Tahoe Basin 

Management Unit, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, or other comparable unit of the National 

Forest System. 

Area. A discrete, specifically delineated space that is smaller, and in most cases much smaller, than a 

Ranger District. 

Forest road or trail. A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National 

Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and 

utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources. 

Motor vehicle means any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than: 

(1) A vehicle operated on rails; and 

(2) Any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that is battery-powered, that is designed solely 

for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion and that is suitable for use in an indoor 

pedestrian area. 

National Forest System road. A forest road other than a road which has been authorized by a legally 

documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. 

National Forest System trail. A forest trail other than a trail which has been authorized by a legally 

documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. 

§§ 261.13 through 261.21 [Redesignated as §§ 261.15 through 261.23] 

15. Redesignate §§ 261.13 through 261.21 as §§ 261.15 through 261.23. 

15a. Add new § 261.13 and § 261.14 to read as follows: 

§ 261.13 Motor vehicle use. 

After National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest 

System lands have been designated pursuant to 36 CFR 212.51 on an administrative unit or a Ranger 

District of the National Forest System, and these designations have been identified on a motor vehicle 

use map, it is prohibited to possess or operate a motor vehicle on National Forest System lands in that 

administrative unit or Ranger District other than in accordance with those designations, provided that 

the following vehicles and uses are exempted from this prohibition: 

(a) Aircraft; 

(b) Watercraft; 

(c) Over-snow vehicles; 

(d) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; 

(e) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; 

(f) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; 
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(g) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; 

(h) Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued under Federal 

law or regulations; and 

(i) Use of a road or trail that is authorized by a legally documented right-of-way held by a State, 

county, or other local public road authority. 

§ 261.14 Use by over-snow vehicles. 

It is prohibited to possess or operate an over-snow vehicle on National Forest System lands in 

violation of a restriction or prohibition established pursuant to 36 CFR part 212, subpart C, provided 

that the following uses are exempted from this section: 

(a) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service; 

(b) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes; 

(c) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes; 

(d) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including pursuit; 

(e) Use by over-snow vehicles that is specifically authorized under a written authorization issued 

under Federal law or regulations; and 

(f) Use of a road or trail that is authorized by a legally documented right-of-way held by a State, 

county, or other local public road authority. 

16. Amend § 261.55 by revising the introductory text to read as follows 

§ 261.55 National Forest System trails. 

When provided by an order issued in accordance with § 261.50 of this subpart, the following are 

prohibited on a National Forest System trail: 

PART 295—USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM ROADS 

[REMOVED] 

17. Remove the entire part 295. 

Dated: October 19, 2005. 

Mark Rey, 

Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. 

[FR Doc. 05–22024 Filed 11–8–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 
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