Off-road vehicle plan in works for Black Hills Forest

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: May 12, 2008 at 7:51 AM MST

Story Updated: May 12, 2008 at 7:51 AM MST

SPEARFISH, S.D. - Officials continue working on off-road vehicle plans for the Black Hills National Forest in southwest South Dakota and northeast Wyoming.

A draft environmental statement could be released in late spring or early summer. A final decision is expected this fall on the off-road vehicle plan, and trail system maps will be available early next year. The U.S. Forest Service changed its policy in 2005, requiring that all forests be closed unless posted open to off-road vehicles. The policy is the opposite of the total freedom Black Hills riders were used to.

Last summer, forest officials reviewed some of the 3,700 miles of trails people have proposed. Only 900 miles of those trails were previously unknown to forest officials. Most of the travel corridors were old, decommissioned Forest Service roads.

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