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New Mexico Forest Plan Revision Update  - NMOHVA December 2017

New Mexico Forest Plan Revision Update - NMOHVA November 2016 Edition

Per the latest contacts, it appears that the Santa Fe National Forest is planning on releasing their Draft Plan and EIS sometime close to the New Year. The Forest has their latest "work in progress" preliminary Draft Plan documents posted for public input on their web sites and they continue the practice of informal monthly public meetings.

• Keep on top of the Santa Fe National Forest Plan revision process..

Santa Fe National Forest; New Mexico; Geothermal Leasing - May 12, 2015 (PDF)

There have been no new developments for the Gila National Forest and it is anticipate that a Draft Plan and EIS will be released sometime early in 2019.

• Keep on top of the Gila National Forest Plan revision process and current information can be found at the Gila Forest Plan Revision website.

Gila National Forest Starting "Assessment" for Forest Plan Revision

The Gila National Forest has started the long, multi-year process of revising its Forest Plan. The Forest Plan describes the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next fifteen years on the Gila National Forest. The first phase of the Forest Plan Revision process, the assessment phase, has officially begun.
The Gila National Forest invites other governmental agencies, organizations, and the public to contribute to the development of the assessment report.

As we have said before, one of the biggest challenges for us as motorized users, (If you can not get there, you can not collect!) of the Forest is to GET INVOLVED EARLY and STAY INVOLVED for the long (it literally takes years!) process of revising the Forest Plan. Revising a Forest Plan involves a time commitment now that will only pay off in the future. The really long, slow process makes it very hard to stay focused and committed. If we lose interest and lose track of the project, it makes it really easy for the Forest Service to do whatever they (and the radical environmentalists) want to do.

We know how hard it is to keep all of these many Forest Service processes and plans straight. It is doubly hard when ALL FIVE of the National Forests are revising their Forest Plans at the SAME TIME! We know it is hard to find the time and energy to keep showing up at meetings, writing comments and staying involved. We know how frustrating it is to provide input only to see it seemingly ignored. We know it is tempting to just go play instead.

Remember - It is your forest and you do have a say in how it will be managed for the next 15 years.  If you do not speak up, No one will hear you!

The Gila National Forest is in the early stages of the process of revising its existing forest plan from 1986, under the 2012 Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) that will describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next 10 to 15 years.

Assessment of Ecological/Social/Cultural/Economic Sustainability, Conditions, and Trends for the Gila National Forest (PDF) May 15, 2015

• A draft of the assessment report for the Gila National Forest is expected to be  completed by late spring 2016 and will be posted on the following Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/home/?cid=STELPRD3828671
• More information on the planning process can also be found on the Gila National Forest Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/home/?cid=STELPRD3828671
• Notifications will be posted on the Forest’swebsite at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/home/?cid=STELPRD3828671

Current Gila Forest Plan (1986)

• Record of Decision, November 21, 1986 (434kb) (PDF)
• Environmental Impact Statement, September 1986, 350 pages (18.6mb) (PDF
• Forest Plan, September 1986, 328 pages (14mb)  (PDF)
• Maps, 5 pages (26mb) (PDF)
• Public Comments and Forest Service Response to the DEIS, Proposed Gila National Forest Plan, Volume 1, 343 pages (16.2mb)  (PDF)
• Public Comments and Forest Service Response to the DEIS, Proposed Gila National Forest Plan, Volume 2, 337 pages (15.8mb) (PDF)

              Remember: If you can not get there, you can not collect!

More information will be add as it becomes available

More Information on the Gila NF Management Plan from NMOHVA

Carson National Forest Releases Draft Assessment for Forest Plan Revision

The Carson National Forest is in the early stages of revising their Forest Plan. This past week (May 19, 2015), they announced the release of their "Draft Assessment" and scheduled meetings with the public for early summer.

One of the biggest challenges for us as motorized users,(If you can't get there, You can not collect)  of the Forest is to GET INVOLVED EARLY and STAY INVOLVED for the long (literally years!) process of revising the Forest Plan. Revising a Forest Plan involves a time commitment now that will only pay off in the future. The really long, slow process makes it very hard to stay focused and committed. If we lose interest and lose track of the project, it makes it really easy for the Forest Service to do whatever they (and the radical environmentalists) want to do.

We know how hard it is to keep all of these many Forest Service processes and plans straight. We know it is hard to find the time and energy to keep showing up at meetings, writing comments and staying involved. We know how frustrating it is to provide input only to see it seemingly ignored. We know it is tempting to just go play instead.

• 2012 planning rule
• Summary of Key Risk Findings from the Draft (PDF)
• Draft Assessment Report (PDF)
• Need for Changing Management Direction  (PDF)
• Community Meeting (PDF)
• Statements from Public Participation (PDF)
• Federal Register Report
• Carson National Forest Plan Revision Website
• Baseline Carbon Stock Assessment -- Carson National Forest (PDF)

Tentative Plan Revision Schedule

• Feb 27, 2014 – Notice of initiating the assessment phase of the forest plan revision published in Federal Register
• Late Summer 2015 – Notice of intent to begin plan revision and to prepare environmental impact statement (EIS)
• Late Spring/Early Summer 2017 – Notice of Availability of draft proposed plan and draft EIS for comment
• Summer/Fall 2017 – Notice of objection period prior to approval of the preferred alternative and final EIS
• Fall/Winter 2017 – Notice of plan approval and final EIS

                 Remember: If you can not get there, you can not collect!

More Information on the Carson NF Management Plan from NMOHVA

President signs Proclamation -- Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (No Rockhounding Allowed)

BLM Map of Monument

• HOUSE BILL 292 - Transfer of Public Lands Act
• HOUSE BILL 399 - AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE OFFHIGHWAY
  MOTOR VEHICLE ACT TO PROVIDE FOR COUNTIES AND
  MUNICIPALITIES TO ESTABLISH DESIGNATED OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR
  VEHICLE ROUTES ON WHICH OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLES MAY OPERATE.

If either of these bills become law, Rockhounds should make sure that any roads or trails leading to or near collecting sites are included in the route designation established by local government agencies.

New Mexico BLM  -  New Website  Posted 4-14-2017

New Mexico BLM Contacts  -  New Website  Posted 4-14-2017

• Afton
• Afton - Interactive Panorama

New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Allince

News Release - Jemez Springs and Acequia Coalition Join OHV Appeal against Forest Closures

• Rockhound State Park 
• Rockhound State Park  Final Management Plan  2011

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