Notice of Proposed Action Mountain Bike Route Designation Shoshone National Forest

November 2016

Comments Requested The Shoshone National Forest welcomes your comments on its proposal to provide new mountain biking opportunities on the Forest and to designate a system of trails for mountain bike use.

Public Involvement This notice is intended to seek input on the development and preparation of the mountain bike analysis. Participation of interested persons, state and local governments, and Indian tribes is encouraged now and throughout the remainder of the planning and analysis process.

Shoshone National Forest (SNF) personnel have met informally with bike shop owners and representatives of mountain biking clubs over the last two years to gather information on where use is occurring and what opportunities might be needed. Information gathered from groups and individuals as well as SNF resource specialists provided valuable information used in the proposed action.

Location and Background The project is located throughout the SNF in northwestern Wyoming and involves all five ranger districts; Clarks Fork, Greybull, Wapiti, Washakie, and Wind River. The focus is on areas of the Forest where mountain biking is allowed, therefore areas such as designated wilderness and the Dunoir Special Management Unit are excluded. See map in Figure 1.

Mountain biking is a fast-growing activity on many national forests and other public lands. On the SNF it has grown faster on the southern end of the Forest, particularly on the Washakie Ranger District. On the north end growth has been slower due to factors such as terrain, proximity of the Forest to towns, and existing opportunities on adjacent lands. SNF resource specialists have been working with local publics to develop opportunities. In some areas, unauthorized mountain bike trail-building has occurred.

The Dunoir Special Management Unit (SMU) was established in 1972 to preserve wilderness qualities and to “provide for non-vehicular access recreation” (Public Law 92-476). At the time mountain bikes were not yet in use. In the years since 1972, mountain bikes came on the scene and bikers began riding the 18-mile Pinnacle Butte Trail loop. Roughly seven miles of the trail are within the SMU. There was disagreement and confusion over whether or not mountain bikes should be allowed in the Dunoir. The issue was settled by excluding bikes in the Record of Decision for the 2015 Shoshone National Forest Revised LMP. This analysis will address alternate opportunities for mountain bikers displaced from the Dunoir.

Figure 1. Shoshone National Forest

Purpose and Need The primary purpose of this projects is to explore mountain biking opportunities forest-wide and to designate a system of trails for mountain bike enthusiasts. Guidance in the Record of Decision for the revised Shoshone Land Management Plan (LMP) directs the SNF forest supervisor to look for alternative opportunities for the community of mountain bike users displaced as a result of new LMP direction.

This analysis will address use across the Forest, identify alternative opportunities for displaced mountain bikers, establish seasons of use if needed, and designate an official mountain bike trail system.

Proposed Action The Shoshone National Forest proposes to establish a trail system for mountain bike users across the Forest. Trails designated for mountain bike use would be reflected on a map which would be made available to the public. The proposal would add approximately 35 miles of trails to system trails that would accommodate mountain bikes and may establish seasons of use if needed. The following trails would be developed for non-motorized recreation and to accommodate mountain bike use. All trails proposed would be designated for non-motorized multi-use recreation. See Figures 2 through 5. North Zone Clarks Fork Ranger District

• Henry’s Mill - Approximately 2.5 miles of trail connecting Dead Indian National Forest System Trail (NFST) #600 via 2-track and new section.

• Sunlight to Trail Creek - Develop non-system stock trail from Sunlight Road to Trail Creek bypass WY Game and Fish property. Approximately 1.5 miles.

Greybull Ranger District • Phelps Mountain – Approximately 2 miles of trail connecting NFST #649 to National

Forest System Road (NFSR) #207 via existing non-system trail.

South Zone Wind River Ranger District

• Bald Mountain – Develop a 4-mile loop from County Road #283, Warm Springs Road, to Bald Mountain.

• Union Pass Trail – Develop a loop connecting Union Pass to Moon Lake Road. Approximately 8.5 miles.

Washakie Ranger District • Aspen Grade – Approximately 0.5 miles of trail connecting Brewers Trail to Moose

Gulch Trail. • Brewers – Approximately 6 miles of trail connecting NFST #300 (Loop Road) to Sinks

Canyon Campground. • Fossil to Worthen – Approximately 5 miles of trail connecting NFST #300 (Loop Road)

to NFST #701 (Sheep Bridge Trail). • Moose Gulch – Develop a 1 mile loop trail from Sinks Canyon Campground. • Rim Trail – Approximately 3 miles of trail connecting Brewers Trail to Fossil-Worthen

trail, parallel to the NFST #300 switchbacks. • Sage Draw - Approximately 0.5 miles of trail creating a loop on a portion of the Brewers

Trail. • Worthen Cutoff – Approximately 0.5 miles of trail connecting the Fossil-Worthen Trail

to NFSR #302.

Forest-wide

• Mountain bikes would be restricted to designated system trails.

Forest Plan Consistency The proposed action is consistent with direction in the LMP which directs the Forest Supervisor to provide mountain biking opportunities (RDTR-GOAL-05). The management approach for trails is to “focus on providing experiences that are under-represented, such as mountain biking” when considering new non-motorized trail opportunities (Forest Plan, page 104). Any alternatives developed in response to public comments will also align with direction found in the LMP.

Comment Process The Mountain Bike Route Designation Project is subject to a “Pre-decisional Administrative Review Process” subject to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and C. There will be a 30-day ‘objection’ period before the decision is made. This will enable the Responsible Official to notify the public of the intended decision and the rationale for that decision. In turn, the public is provided with an opportunity to raise any concerns with the decision before it is signed. If there is an objection, the Reviewing Officer will have 45 days following the end of the objection period to meet with the objector(s) and provide written response before a final decision can be made. For this project the Forest Supervisor in Cody, Wyoming is the Responsible Official and the Regional Forester in Golden, CO will be the Reviewing Officer. Individuals and entities who have submitted timely, specific written comments regarding a proposed project or activity that is subject to these regulations during any designated opportunity for public comment may file an objection. Issues raised in an objection must be based on previously submitted written comments specific to the proposed project or activity unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities to comment (36 CFR 218).

For further information on the proposed action please contact Olga Troxel, Team Leader, at 307-527-6921 or via email at otroxel@fs.fed.us.

Figure 2. Clarks Fork Ranger District Proposed Trail Additions

Figure 3. Greybull Ranger District Proposed Trail Additions

Figure 4. Washakie Ranger District Proposed Trail Additions

Figure 5. Wind River Ranger District Proposed Trail Additions