7709.59_50
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
INTERMOUNTAIN REGION (REGION 4)
OGDEN, UT
FSH 7709.59 – TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OPERATIONS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 50 – TRAFFIC STUDIES AND OTHER ROAD OPERATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
Supplement No.: 7709.59-2004-1
Effective Date: March 8, 2004
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JACK G. TROYER
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 02/23/2004
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement.
Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this
Handbook was 7709.59-2000-1 to Chapter 50.
New Document(s):
7709.59_50
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
7709.59,50 (Supplement 7709.59-2000-1, 2/14/2000)
3 Pages
Digest:
52.2 – This is a technical supplement that converts the format and style of this Regional directive
to the new FSH template using the agency’s current cooperate word processing software.
Although some minor typographical and technical errors have been corrected, this supplement
contains changes to the substantive direction in this title.
R4 SUPPLEMENT 7709.59-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/8/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7709.59_50
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FSH 7709.59 – TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OPERATIONS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 50 – TRAFFIC STUDIES AND OTHER ROAD OPERATION CONSIDERATION
52 - COORDINATION OF USES
52.2 - Mixed Use on Forest Development Roads
Outdoor motorized recreation is one of the purposes for which National Forests are managed.
However, the numbers of motorized recreation users, operating vehicles such as off road vehicles
(ORVs), motorcycles and snowmobiles continues to increase. These types of uses are an
acceptable form of recreation and efforts should be made to provide opportunities when
consistent with Forest plans.
Ideally, mixed traffic, street-legal and non-street-legal and licensed and unlicensed drivers would
not occur on the same road. However, in some situations, it may be feasible to allow a mix of
highway vehicles with ORVs or snowmobiles. Some opportunities exist on roads with low
vehicle volume and speeds. Other opportunities exist on short road sections to connect
disjointed ORV four-wheel drive ways and snowmobile trails.
Use the following priorities to minimize the potential conflicts of mixed use:
1. Provide separate facilities.
2. Separate use periods. Roads may be designated for separate use periods such as
season, weekday/weekend, or day/night. Notify the public of the locations, effective dates,
times, and duration that the roads may or may not be used. Provide appropriate signs.
3. Manage concurrent use.
Mixing vehicle types such as ORVs and highway vehicles on the same travel route is possible
after an evaluation of the route, designation and approval by the Forest Supervisor.
A written evaluation should consider the functional aspects of the road and recreation
opportunities of mixing traffic types on a route and the acceptable risk. Items that may be factors
in the evaluation are:
1. Road Management Objectives.
2. Traffic Speed, volume, and composition.
3. Road standards: alignment, speed, grade, surface, sight distance, and so forth.
4. Alternative routes/options.
5. Opportunities/facilities accessed.
R4 SUPPLEMENT 7709.59-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/8/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7709.59_50
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FSH 7709.59 – TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OPERATIONS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 50 – TRAFFIC STUDIES AND OTHER ROAD OPERATION CONSIDERATION
6. Demand for use.
7. Environmental effects.
8. State law and/or FS Regulations.
9. Enforcement mechanism (coordination).
10. Consultation with local county attorney/law enforcement.
11. Proposed signs and markers, public information and education.
12. Mitigation measures (resource impacts and traffic control).
13. Forest Plans, ROS.
14. Risk analysis.
15. Inconsistencies.
This list is not necessarily all-inclusive or all necessary for an evaluation of a route. Other
factors may be considered as appropriate.
After a positive evaluation, prepare an implementation and monitoring plan along with a map of
the route and proposed signing and marking. Upon designation, the Forest Supervisor is
responsible for appropriately signing and mapping the route such that the dual use is clear to the
users prior to allowing mixed use.
Where State Law allows such use, no order is necessary. In states which do not allow such
mixed use, an order pursuant to 36 CFR 261.54 (a) is needed to exempt such use.
Law Enforcement and Investigations (LE&I) must review each proposed order to ensure the
language meets legal requirements. Additionally, LE&I and other appropriate personnel should
work with local law enforcement, county officials, and other interested groups and individuals in
implementing the order.