Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/18/2014-14273/use-by-over-snow-vehicles-travel-management-rule
Timestamp: 2016-05-04 06:02:56
Document Index: 776763850

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 212', 'art 212', 'art 261', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', 'art 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 261', 'art 1320', 'arts 212', 'ART 212', 'art 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 212', 'art 261', '§ 261', '§ 261']

Federal Register | Use by Over-Snow Vehicles (Travel Management Rule)
Dates: Comments must be received in writing by August 4, 2014.
Action: Notice of proposed rule; request for public comment.
79 FR 34678
-34681 (4 pages)
Document Number: 2014-14273
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-14273 Related Topics
FS-2014-0004
Notice Of Proposed Rule; Request For Public Comment.
Consistent with a court order on March 29, 2013, the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) is proposing to amend the agency's travel management rule (TMR) to require designation of National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where over-snow vehicle (OSV) use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited. Under the amended subpart C, the responsible official could establish a system of routes and areas where OSV use is prohibited except where allowed or a system of routes and areas where OSV use is allowed unless prohibited. The proposed rule would continue to exempt OSV use from subpart B of the TMR, which provides for designation of a system of routes and areas where motor vehicle use is allowed and prohibits motor vehicle use off the designated system.
Travel Management Rule 3 actions from June 18th, 2014 to February 2015
Part 212, Subpart A
Section 212.1Definitions
Part 212, New Subpart C—Over-Snow Vehicle Use
Section 212.80Purpose and Scope
Section 212.81Over-Snow Vehicle Use
Part 261, Subpart A—General Prohibitions
Comments must be received in writing by August 4, 2014.
Submit comments electronically by following the instructions at the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments also may be submitted by mail to the U.S. Forest Service, Attn: Joseph Adamson, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 1125, Washington, DC 20250-1125. If comments are sent electronically, please do not send duplicate comments by mail. Please confine comments to issues pertinent to the proposed rule, explain the reasons for any recommended changes, and, where possible, reference the specific section and wording being addressed. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, will be placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received on this proposed rule in the Office of the Director, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources Staff, 5th Floor SW., 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, on business days between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Those wishing to inspect comments are encouraged to call ahead at (202) 205-0813 to facilitate entry into the building.
Joseph Adamson, (202) 205-0931, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources Staff.
Background and Need for the Rule Back to Top
Between 1982 and 2009, the number of people who operated motor vehicles off road increased by more than 153 percent in the United States (“Outdoor Recreation Trends and Futures, a Technical Document Supporting the Forest Service 2010 RPA [Resources Planning Act] Assessment,” p. 135 (H. Cordell, 2012)). While both motor vehicle use and OSV
The Forest Service is proposing to amend subpart C of the TMR to provide for management of OSVs on NFS lands consistent with the EOs and the court's order. Specifically, the Forest Service is proposing to amend subpart C of the TMR to require the responsible official to designate NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited in administrative units or Ranger Districts, or parts of administrative units or Ranger Districts, where snowfall is adequate for OSV use to occur. The Forest Service is not proposing to remove the exemption for OSVs from subpart B because the Agency wants to preserve the discretion in subpart C to establish a system of routes and areas where OSV use is allowed unless prohibited or a system of routes and areas where OSV use is prohibited unless allowed. In contrast, subpart B requires designation of a system of routes and areas where motor vehicle use is prohibited unless allowed. Regardless of whether a unit or district establishes a system of routes and areas where OSV use is allowed unless prohibited or a system or routes and areas where OSV use is prohibited unless allowed, the decision would be based on an analysis of the impacts from the proposed designations and anticipated uses in accordance with subpart B, as modified in subpart C to provide for consistency in terminology. This information will be displayed for the public at local district offices.
In requiring designation of NFS routes and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited, the proposed rule would be consistent with the EOs and the court's order. Equally important, the resulting system of OSV routes and areas would sustain natural resource values, enhance user's experiences and provide opportunities for use on NFS lands.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Proposed Rule Back to Top
Current § 212.1 of the TMR defines an area as a discrete, specifically delineated space that is smaller, and in most cases much smaller, than a Ranger District. The definition for an area in the proposed rule would recognize that cross-country OSV use may occur across a broader landscape. As with evaluation of an area for other types of motor vehicle use using the designation criteria in § 212.55, evaluation of an area for OSV use using the designation criteria in § 212.55 may be holistic and need not address each route within the area, as OSVs will be able to travel cross-country within it.
Current § 212.1 also defines “designated road, trail, or area”. To avoid conflict with this terminology in subpart B, the proposed rule would add a definition for “designation of over-snow vehicle use.”
The title of part 212, subpart C, would be changed from “Use by Over-Snow Vehicles” to “Over-Snow Vehicle Use.”
Current § 212.80 states that the purpose of subpart C is to provide for regulation of OSV use on NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands. The proposed rule would amend this section to require designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited. Consistent with § 212.50(b) in subpart B of the current TMR, the proposed rule would include a provision authorizing the responsible official to incorporate previous administrative decisions regarding OSV use made under other authorities in allowing, restricting, or prohibiting OSV use on NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands.
The proposed rule would amend § 212.81 to require designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited on administrative units or Ranger Districts, or parts of administrative units or Ranger Districts, of the NFS where snowfall is adequate for that use to occur, subject to the exemptions currently enumerated in § 212.81(b). In contrast to subpart B and its corresponding prohibition at 36 CFR 261.13, which requires designation of a system of routes and areas that are open to motor vehicle use and prohibits motor vehicle use off the designated system, proposed subpart C would continue to allow the responsible official to designate a system of routes and areas where OSV use is allowed unless prohibited or a system of routes and areas where OSV use is prohibited unless allowed. An OSV use map could look like a motor vehicle use map, i.e., a map that identifies only the routes and areas where OSV use is allowed, or the opposite, i.e., a map that identifies only the routes and areas where OSV use is prohibited. In addition, local Forest Service officials would retain the discretion to manage OSV use to address local conditions and to establish restrictions, as appropriate, based on the season of use and other local factors. Decisions to designate OSV use may be made concurrently or separately from decisions to designate other types of motor vehicle use.
Except as modified by proposed § 212.81(b) governing prior comprehensive OSV decisions and proposed § 212.81(c) with respect to reference to the map displaying routes and areas where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited, § 212.81(c) of the proposed rule would apply the requirements governing designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands in §§ 212.52 (public involvement); 212.53 (coordination with other governmental entities); 212.54 (revision of designations); 212.55 (criteria for designation of roads, trails, and areas); 212.56 (identification of designated roads, trails, and areas); and 212.57 (monitoring of effects of motor vehicle use) to designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited.
The title of § 261.14 would be changed from “Use by over-snow vehicles” to “Over-snow vehicle use.”
This proposed rule has been reviewed under USDA procedures and EO 12866 on regulatory planning and review. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this proposed rule is significant and is therefore subject to OMB review under E.O. 12866.
This proposed rule would require designation at the field level, with public input, of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited. This proposed rule would have no effect on the ground until designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands for OSV use is completed at the field level, with opportunity for public involvement. Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2) exclude from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement “rules, regulations, or policies to establish service-wide administrative procedures, program processes, or instructions.” The Agency has concluded that this proposed rule falls within this category of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist which would require preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
This proposed rule has been considered in light of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602 et seq.). This proposed rule would not have any effect on small entities as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The proposed rule would require designation at the field level, with public input, of NFS roads, NFS trails, and areas on NFS lands where OSV use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited. The proposed rule would not directly affect small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. The Forest Service has determined that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act because it would not impose recordkeeping requirements on them; it would not affect their competitive position in relation to large entities; and it would not affect their cash flow, liquidity, or ability to remain in the market.
The Agency has considered this proposed rule under the requirements of EO 13132 on federalism and has concluded that the proposed rule conforms with the federalism principles set out in this EO; would not impose any compliance costs on the States; and would not have substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, the Agency has determined that no further assessment of federalism implications is necessary at this time.Moreover, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications as defined by EO 13175, entitled “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” and therefore advance consultation with Tribes is not required.
This proposed rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in EO 12630. The Agency has determined that the proposed rule would not pose the risk of a taking of private property.
This proposed rule does not contain any new recordkeeping or reporting requirements or other information collection requirements as defined in 5 U.S.C. 1320 that are not already required by law or not already approved for use. Accordingly, the review provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not apply.
This proposed rule has been reviewed under EO 13211, titled “Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.” The Agency has determined that this proposed rule does not constitute a significant energy action as defined in the EO.
This proposed rule has been reviewed under EO 12988 on civil justice reform. If the proposed rule were to be adopted, (1) all State and local laws and regulations that conflict with the proposed rule or that would impede its full implementation would be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect would be given to the proposed rule; and (3) it would not require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court challenging its provisions.
Therefore, for the reasons set out in the preamble, the Forest Service proposes to amend 36 CFR parts 212 and 261 as follows:
PART 212—TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Back to Top
Subpart A—Administration of the Forest Transportation System Back to Top
1.The authority citation for part 212, subpart A continues to read as follows: Authority:
16 U.S.C. 551, 23 U.S.C. 205.
2.Amend § 212.1 by revising the definition for “Area” and adding a definition for “Designation of over-snow vehicle use” in alphabetical order to read as follows: § 212.1 Definitions.
3.Revise subpart C to read as follows: end regulatory text
Subpart C—Over-Snow Vehicle Use Back to Top
2.12.80 Purpose, scope, and definitions.
212.81 Over-snow vehicle use.
7 U.S.C. 1011(f), 16 U.S.C. 551, E.O. 11644, 11989 (42 FR 26959).
§ 212.81 Over-snow vehicle use.
(c) Decision-making process. Except as modified in paragraph (b) and this paragraph, 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 decisions made under this subpart. In making decisions under this subpart, 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). National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands where over-snow vehicle use is allowed, restricted, or prohibited shall be reflected on an over-snow vehicle use map.
4.The authority citation for part 261 continues to read as follows: Authority:
5.Revise the heading of § 261.14 to read as follows: § 261.14 Over-snow vehicle use.
[FR Doc. 2014-14273 Filed 6-17-14; 8:45 am]
1. See 36 CFR 212.1 for the definition of an OSV.