In an effort to control motorized traffic on public lands, Carson National Forest travel administrators have unveiled a proposed plan that would officially designate 2,100 miles for vehicles with engines.

By delineating permissible routes, the forest service hopes to drastically reduce the long-held practice of heading off in any direction — so-called cross-country travel — once on public lands. Vehicles tracks increase erosion, disrupt vegetation patterns and disturb wildlife habitats, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

In addition, forest-travel officials have carved out a system of routes for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, designated for vehicles 50 inches or less in width. Snowmobiles are not included in this process although they are restricted within the Valle Vidal and wilderness areas. In the process, Forest Service off-road travel managers also will close about 1,000 miles of system roads that duplicate routes already in existence.

"We would like to close user-created roads and trails to motorized traffic until we can study them in terms of erosion," Jack Carpenter, team leader for motorized travel management in the Carson National Forest, has told The Taos News. "We want to encourage users to travel on the roads we already have."

About 60 percent of routes in the Carson Forest have been closed since 1986, when the first forest-wide plan was put together, Carpenter said. That leaves 40 percent still open — "spotted all over everywhere."

Three environmental groups have already criticized the plan, including Taos-based Amigos Bravos and Western Environmental Law Center. They contend that the Forest Service cannot maintain or oversee that many miles, and that the effects on watersheds and wildlife have not been adequately addressed. "In light of budget cuts and maintenance backlogs, this plan is irresponsible," said Cyndi Tuell of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity.

Public comment period begins

In Northern New Mexico's Carson National Forest, Norteños have long taken their pickup trucks into the forest to haul out firewood or check on their cattle. Many routes predate the forest's 1906 establishment; others have been forged informally over the years, some to private land landlocked by federal land. Still others have been built and maintained by Forest Service personnel.

What has resulted is an unsystematic web of roads — formal, informal and otherwise — that track across forest land. Many of them are dead ends, while others loop lazily around upon themselves. Now, the citizens in and around Carson National Forest can comment on the plan that is designed to untangle that web. The deadline is Feb. 28, with a final decision due in the summer for October implementation.

To comment, send e-mails to carson_travel_mgt@fs.fed.us with "Carson Travel Management" in the subject line. To send by mail, address to Carson National Forest, Travel Management Proposed Actions, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos 87571.

Specific actions proposed

To streamline existing systems yet remain accessible to the greatest number of citizens, the Forest Service has mandated revisions of travel management plans in each national forest.

In the 300,000-acre Camino Real Ranger District, the proposal would:

* close 96 miles of existing roads;

* designate four miles of unauthorized roads for vehicle use;

* create a 300-foot corridor along 117 miles for off-road camping and big game retrieval in five locations;

* close six miles of roads near Forest Road 697 for the winter; and

* return 24 miles of former motorized trail to non-motorized use.

In the 272,000-acre Questa Ranger District, the plan would:

* close 15 miles of existing road near Midnight Meadows and Malette Canyon;

* designate two miles of roads near Cabresto Canyon and Sawmill Park for motorized travel;

* open up eight miles of roads near Largo Canyon;

* create a 150-foot corridor for campers and hunters on Cebolla Mesa and in Largo Canyon;

* close 71 miles of road for the winter; and

* add four miles for motorcycle use only around Elephant Rock Loop Trail.

In the 352,000-acre Tres Piedras Ranger District, the forest plan would:

* reopen three miles to motorized use;

* close seven miles to motorized vehicles;

* create 300-foot and 150-foot corridors for 246 and 232 miles, respectively, for campers and hunters; and

* close roads near Comanche Canyon and Forest Road 137 for the winter.

In the 137,000-acre Canjilón Ranger District, plans would

* close 202 miles of existing roads;

* designate five new miles for motorized travel;

* carve out a 300-foot corridor on 43 miles and a 150-foot corridor on 115 miles for camping and hunting access;

* close various roads near Mesa de las Viejas and Mesa Juan Domíngo for the winter; and

* convert five miles for motorcycles and ATVs.

In the 275,000-acre El Rito Ranger District, the proposal would:

* reopen two miles to vehicle use;

* delineate eight miles of roadbeds for access around Valle Grande Peak and Spring Creek/ Vallecitos Federal Sustained Yield Unit;

* designate a 300-foot corridor on six miles of roads near Forest Road 559 and Forest Road 20 for campers and hunters; and

* designate 150-foot access corridor along 313 miles.