A map of a proposed off-roading trail system for Black Hills National Forest, plus new rules to go with it, will be unveiled on Monday, Sept. 10.

"We'll have a series of public meetings, and people can comment over the next 60 days," Black Hills National Forest supervisor Craig Bobzien said Saturday.

Bobzien emphasized that the new "Motorized Vehicle Use Map" and the new rules were only proposals.

After a 60-day public comment period, Bobzien said, the Forest Service will revise the trail system and the rules, then submit another version for public comment.

"We've been pretty centrist in our proposal," he said. "Some people will want more regulation, and some people will want less."

The biggest change in the rules will reverse the current policy that allows off-roading anywhere except where specifically prohibited. The new rules, which could be in effect by the end of next year, will ban off-roading everywhere except where specifically allowed.

That change follows a national guideline from Forest Service headquarters in Washington.

The Forest Service, the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board and a governor's task force have held public meetings over the past three years to get comments and suggestions on new rules and especially on off-roading routes, trailheads and areas where off-roading should be banned.

Over the past few months, Forest Service specialists have been consolidating those comments into a system of trails that will run the length of the Black Hills.

The local unveilings of the map and rules will be in four public meetings from Monday through Thursday, Sept. 10-13. (See the box.)

The new rules will also be published in local newspapers, and the trail map and rules will be online. (Go to www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills and follow the links.)

In addition, copies of the maps and rules will be available for inspection at district ranger offices and libraries throughout the Black Hills.

Comments on the proposed rules must be received within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register, which will be Friday, Sept. 7, three days before the first public meeting in the Black Hills.

The Forest Service plans to release a "draft environmental impact statement" on the new rules by early next year. The "draft EIS" will be followed by another public comment period, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

When then-Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth announced nationwide changes in off-roading rules, his goal was to have them in place 2009. Bobzien said Saturday he expected the new rules for the Black Hills to be in place by December 2008.

Contact Bill Harlan at 394-8424 or bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com

Meetings to explain Black Hills trail system

A proposed off-roading trail system for the Black Hills National Forest and new rules to go with it will be explained during four public meetings, all from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the following dates and locations:

• Monday, Sept. 10, at Crook County Courthouse, 309 Cleveland St., Sundance, Wyo.
• Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel (Rushmore Room) at 2111 North La Crosse St., Rapid City.
• Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Wilbur S. Tretheway Pavilion, 115 South Canyon St., Spearfish.
• Thursday, Sept. 13, Crazy Horse Memorial (Mountain View Room), north of Custer.

Public comments will also be taken during the meetings. For more information, call Black Hills National Forest Headquarters in Custer at 673-9200.