Nebraska National Forest Travel Plan Update
by Dan Nitzel

By the time you read this, the comment period for the Nebraska National Forest travel plan will have ended on March 15th. It is this authors opinion, the Forest Service did a good job of trying to get out to the public that they are asking for their opinions. The initial proposals presented by the Forest Service pleased some people, and did not please others.

NOHVA has completed a proposal to the Forest Service that was a mosaic of what many ATV and dirtbike riders would like to see at the Bessey Ranger District, or referred to as Halsey for many. We also included suggestions for the McKelvie National Forest near Valentine.

Now that the meetings are over, it’s clear that cross county travel will most likely NOT be allowed anywhere at Halsey, McKelvie and Pine Ridge. However, some cross country travel will be allowed at the Oglala grass lands located in the far northwest corner of the state, a mere 400 miles from Omaha. It appears as if there will be substantial trail closures at Pine Ridge with only about 12 miles of trail left open. About 70% of the trails at Bessey and McKelvie could be closed, and we are hoping for far less.

During our discussions with the Forest Service, they seem to be interested in designating most well used existing trails as open to motorized recreation, but a lot of lesser used trails will be closed. We are hoping that the door can be left open for the development of new trails that can act as connecting loops to popular existing trails and destinations.

Many riders expressed their willingness to pay a daily or annual trail fee to help with trail maintenance and management.

The next step is to wait for the Forest Service to assemble, review and analyze the comments, then piece together designated routes that meet the needs of users and that fit into the Forest Service’s goals of resource management. Where we ATV and dirtbike riders will come out at when the travel plan is implemented this fall is anyone’s best guess at this writing. However, I am optimistic about how the Forest Service will handle our requests and needs for recreation. The Forest Service has indicated that they want to continue to work with us on the travel proposal, and want us to continue our partnership with them in the future.

The Travel Plan, if properly executed, could GREATLY enhance our trail experience at Bessey, and enhance the Forest Service’s goals of protecting resources and reducing forest user conflicts.

In my view, because of personnel shortages and management changes over the last couple of years, it has been difficult to upgrade trails there. In the last two years since District Ranger Patti Barney has taken over, with the aide of her great staff, ATV and dirtbike rider management and education at the Nebraska National Forest has greatly improved! Forest Service employees have made an outstanding effort to contact riders and talk to them about responsible trail use on a one-on-one basis. This is the best possible solution to control problems, educate riders, and improve our visit experience at Bessey, and it needs to continue.

If you would like to review a copy of NOHVA’s Travel Plan proposal to the Forest Service, please contact me and I will send you a copy. In the mean time, we will have to wait to see what the final travel proposal the Forest Service develops. NOHVA will continue to keep our members informed of the situation.

We would like to thank those who helped call our members to remind them of the Travel Plan meetings. Thanks to William Bishop of Schuyler, Allen Bargenquarst of Omaha, Ron Kubalek of Raymond, Eric Moore of Lincoln, Tim Zabka, Don Mustion and Dan Nitzel of Grand Island and Gary Gibbs of Columbus.