NOHVA Trail Mapping Project

by Dan Nitzel

          NOHVA is currently in the process of documenting existing trails at the Nebraska National Forest.  We recently purchased a new Garmin mapping GPS and mapping software. 

          Currently, we have two goals in mind for the Nebraska National Forest.  Our primary goal is to document the existing trails at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey in order to aid the Forest Service and our organization in the up-coming Travel Management Plan.  Once we have the trails documented, we hope to make available to our members very detailed color maps of the trails. 

          While some of the trails have been mapped, we still a lot of trails left to do.  We can certainly use your help in completing this project as soon as possible!  If you have experience in mapping trails and using a Garmin GPS (with WAAS) and mapping software, we could badly use your help.  If you would like to become involved, contact me at 308-381-2143 or email me at NOHVA. 

          In addition to mapping trails at the Nebraska National Forest, we plan to map the Headworks OHV Park.  So far our plans include measuring the OHV park, mapping and naming major trails and routes, and then placing signs in the park identifying the trails.  Identified trails and routes will make it easier to find riders  by other riders and by emergency or law enforcement personnel.   Once we have the trails documented, we hope to make available to our members very detailed color map of the park.

 

 

Help In Documenting Trails, Before It’s Too Late!

By Adena Cook, public lands consultant for the BlueRibbon Coalition

          Restricting OHVs to designated roads and trails has arrived. Some Forest Service ranger districts and BLM management areas have had this policy in place for some time. Now the rest are falling in line. The new Forest Service OHV rules are not yet final, but new travel plans are planning for designated roads and trails.

          We've told you that it's coming. You've heard how important it is to become acquainted with your local manager, way beyond just showing up at meetings. Do you have "secret trails?" They're toast if you don't put them on a map and plead their case with the manager.

          If your favorite part of the forest or BLM area has been managed as "open", that is, it has been a part of a management prescription where any restrictions are seasonal and do not address individual roads or trails, then likely not all of your trails are on the current Forest Service or BLM map. Maybe they were once, but have "fallen off" the inventory or map. That's why old-timers have cautioned, "Never get rid of your old maps!" Maybe a game trail has become more defined with use because it connected a road and trail.

          It's very important that you get a current agency map and record all the trails you know about. Accompany your record on the map with a written description. Make at least 1 extra copy, one to turn in and one to keep. Sometimes, maps and descriptions get lost after they're turned in.

          When you go to meetings or meet with managers, you may hear the following terms. They're generally intended to put down OHV recreation. You should object when you hear them.

 

*Unauthorized or illegal roads or trails – In an open travel management prescription, there are no unauthorized or illegal roads or trails. All existing roads and trails are open unless they are physically marked closed on the ground and on a map.

*Illegitimate trails – See above. Sometimes, trails not appearing on current agency maps are called illegitimate. In an open travel management prescription, they are not. In fact, they may be necessary to provide an adequate recreation experience. These need to be inventoried and designated in the travel planning process.

*Unregulated OHV use – Management may not have kept up with the growing popularity of OHVs, especially ATVs, but use has not been unregulated. The Forest Service has been regulating OHV use since 1977 and 1979 when Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 were issued. Travel plans that implemented these orders were put in place shortly after. Seasonal restrictions and closures, as well as specific road and trail closures, have been common, even in open travel management areas.

 

          You can see why it's important to sit down with your local ranger and recreation planner. When you remove the above terms from your discussion, you can start with a level playing field and haul out your maps.

          In a recent chat with a recreation planner, I was told that teams of greens have been roaming the country putting pressure on managers to severely restrict OHV recreation in their travel plans. The above terms and much worse dominated the discussion. Subsequent discussions with OHVers did not go well. "They expect all their trails to be designated,"the planner complained.
          Well, yes. Most, if not all, should be. If resource problems exist on a certain trail, it should be fixed. At least in this case, funds are available to do so. Foundation funded green agendas should not influence conscientious recreation planners.
 
 

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This page was updated on Tuesday, August 01, 2006