[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR295.2]

[Page 388]
 
              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
          CHAPTER II--FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 295--USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFF FOREST SERVICE ROADS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 295.2  Planning and designation for use of vehicles off National Forest System roads.

    (a) On National Forest System lands, the continuing land management 
planning process will be used to allow, restrict, or prohibit use by 
specific vehicle types off roads. This process will include coordination 
with appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. The planning process 
will analyze and evaluate current and potential impacts arising from 
operation of specific vehicle types on soil, water, vegetation, fish and 
wildlife, forest visitors and cultural and historic resources. If the 
analysis indicates that the use of one or more vehicle types off roads 
will cause considerable adverse effects on the resources or other forest 
visitors, use of the affected areas and trails by the vehicle type or 
types likely to cause such adverse effects will be restricted or 
prohibited until such time as the adverse effects can be eliminated as 
provided in 36 CFR part 261.
    (b) Off-road vehicle management plans shall provide vehicle 
management direction aimed at resource protection, public safety of all 
users, minimizing conflicts among users, and provide for diverse use and 
benefits of the National Forests. Designation of areas and trails shall 
be in accordance with the following:
    (1) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize damage to soil, 
watershed, vegetation, or other resources of the public lands.
    (2) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize harassment of 
wildlife or significant disruption of wildlife habitats.
    (3) Areas and trails shall be located to minimize conflicts between 
off-road vehicle use and other existing or proposed recreational uses of 
the same or neighboring public lands, and to ensure the compatibility of 
such uses with existing conditions in populated areas, taking into 
account noise and other factors.
    (4) Areas and trails shall not be located in officially designated 
Wilderness Areas or Primitive Areas.

However, this does not preclude the use of any fire, military, 
emergency, or law enforcement vehicle for emergency purposes, or the use 
of any combat or combat support vehicle for national defense purposes, 
or registered motorboats, or vehicle use expressly authorized by the 
Chief, Forest Service, under a permit, lease, license, or contract.