UPPER LAKE — The Mendocino National Forest Service will host an open house from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Upper Lake Ranger District Office to discuss the forest roads system and the relationship between roads and various resource impacts.
The open house is one of five being held in surrounding areas and is part of a public engagement for Subpart A of the 2005 Travel Management Rule. The forest service completed Subpart B in 2008 by designating roads, trails and areas for motor vehicle use, resulting in the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
“Subpart A looks at the core issue of travel analysis ? providing sustainable access,” Mendocino Forest Engineer Shannon Pozas said. “We have initiated a science-based process to take a whole-forest look at our road system and the risks and benefits to visitors and various resources.
“This is a great opportunity for our visitors and interested members of the public to interact with a variety of resource specialists to discuss both the positive and negative impacts of our road system, as well as to share their comments as we continue analysis,” Pozas added.
The Mendocino National Forest must have this analysis complete by October. To date, resource specialists have gathered data and developed maps, which will be shared at the open house.
“To be clear, this is not a proposal or decision document, but a transportation study that will help inform future road management planning and can serve as an additional resource in future multiple resource projects,” Pozas said. “Similar to the MVUM, this document will continue to evolve and change over the years, with opportunities for interested public to share their thoughts and engage in the process.”
For information about Subpart A and the Mendocino National Forest”s Travel Analysis, visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or call 530-934-1137.
The Upper Lake Ranger District Office is located at 10025 Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake.
