U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
1824 S. Thompson St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
www.coconinonationalforest.us
www.twitter.com/coconinonf
www.flickr.com/coconinonationalforest
News Release
Media Contact: Brady Smith
928-527-3490
bradysmith@xxxxxxxxx
Red Rock Ranger District seeks public comments on Soldiers Pass motorized use proposal
Sedona, Ariz., Mar. 31, 2016, For Immediate Release —
The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is asking for public comments as it prepares an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate revising
management of motorized use on the Soldiers Pass Road near Sedona, Arizona.
Soldiers Pass Road is located northwest of Sedona and consists of Forest Service roads 9904, 9904B, and 9904C. Together, these roads total approximately 1.2 miles in
length. The purpose of this proposal is to reduce conflicts that are occurring on adjacent City of Sedona and private properties as a result of the volume of motorized traffic that is accessing the forest, and to bring motorized use of Soldiers Pass Road
into compliance with Forest Plan direction. The EA considers four alternatives in detail:
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Alternative A is the “no action” alternative, and would continue current management.
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Alternative B would restrict motorized use of Soldiers Pass Road to an outfitter/guide service and adjust the outfitter/guide use authorization
to improve consistency with other motorized outfitter/guide use on the District.
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Alternative C is the proposed action, which would adjust the outfitter/guide use authorization to improve consistency with other motorized
outfitter/guide use on the District and establish a free permit system to limit public use to 12 permits per day.
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Alternative D would close Soldiers Pass Road to all recreational motorized use.
These alternatives were developed with the help of public involvement over the last several years. The EA contains additional information about these alternatives, the
project’s background, and analysis of the potential effects of implementing these alternatives.
Project details, maps and additional information are available at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=38555. The public comment period begins tomorrow for 30 days. The public can submit comments from that web link or by writing to the Red Rock Ranger District
Office, 8375 State Route 179, Attn: Julie Rowe, Sedona, Arizona, 86341. You may also call the Red Rock Visitor Center with questions at (928) 203-7500.
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Brady Smith, MBA
Public Affairs Officer
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Forest Service
Coconino National Forest,
Supervisor's Office
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p: 928-527-3490
bradysmith@xxxxxxxxx
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1824 S. Thompson Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
www.coconinonationalforest.us
  
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Caring for the land
and serving people
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