Users of the NM Santa Fe National Forest...

[anohoyuluj]

You may be aware that this past Juky the SFNF finally came out with their final Travel Management plan. It closed miles of backroads, limited unorganized camping and other things all meant to restrict access. There was an appeal and that was denied in October. Today the NMOHVA (New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance ) filed suit in federal district court.

Below is a copy of their letter....
Maps of the routes left open are here...
Eastside of the forest (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5377116.pdf)
Westside of the forest (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5377195.pdf)
If you are a user you may see favorite trails have disappeared off the maps. They have no gotten around to erecting the restrictive use signage yet.

The New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA) filed a lawsuit against the Santa Fe National Forest in federal district court on December 11th. Our lawsuit contests the Forest's Travel Management decision signed by Forest Supervisor Maria T. Garcia on June 12th and upheld by the Region 3 Appeal Deciding Officer on October 2nd. Filing a lawsuit is a major commitment of NMOHVA's time and money. The NMOHVA Board thought long and hard about this and then voted unanimously to go ahead with legal action.

[AnthonySn]

"NMOHVA filed this lawsuit on the behalf of our members but it really is for everyone who uses a vehicle in the forest," said NMOHVA President Jim Tyldesley. "Most of the public has no idea that this decision closed 70% of the existing roads and trails, reduced vehicle camping nearly 95%, and virtually eliminated hunters being able to use a vehicle to retrieve game. There are going to be a lot of stunned people next spring when they find out vehicle camping is not allowed anywhere along Forest Road 376. It was the most popular camping area in the whole forest!"

[Antonietta]

I know to many this seems like beating your head against a brick wall, or http://countryplans.com/smf/Smileys/default/deadhorse.gif, but it may make a difference. If we don't complain the only other choice is to roll over and be quiet.

[AntjeDenha]

The only agenda of the forest service is to keep people out of the forest.