Superior residents and members of the public who value their access to Tonto National Forest roads have a very short time left to comment and preserve their right to appeal proposed changes.
The Tonto National Forest is seeking public comments on the Environmental Assessment for Motorized Travel Management. The assessment includes a proposed action that would close about 101 miles of roads, open about 442 miles of roads, create a 233 mile motorized trail system, seasonally restrict access on 105 miles of roads, administratively restrict access on 253 miles of road, create special use permit zones for 315 miles of road, add about 291 miles of unauthorized routes to the transportation system, allow motorized cross-country travel on 1417 acres and motorized retrieval of big game(elk and bear)up to 200 yards off either side of NFS roads and motorized trails. A forest service plan amendment would prohibit all other motorized travel off the designated road system across the forest.
The public comment period ends on Monday February 6, 2012. By expressing a comment or concern about proposed changes to access and motorized travel on Tonto National Forest roads the right to appeal those changes is preserved. There is only a short time left to submit your comments and express interest in the proposed action. The full Assessment including proposed actions and maps are available to view at:
htpps://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/fs-usda-pop.php?project=28967
Comments may be submitted through February 6, 2012 by one of the following methods:
Internet: must use a comment form at
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=28967
Email: comments-southwestern-TMRTonto@fs.us with comments directly in the body of the email
Postal mail: Gene Blankenbaker, Forest Supervisor 2324 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006
By phone: 602 22505213