Travell\'lanageillent Tonto National Forest Recreation Report Prepared by: Patricia A. Johnston, Travel Planning Detailer, Tonto National Forest CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Travel Management Rule .......................................................................................................................... 7 Forest Accessibility ................................................................................................................................... 7 OHV Management Challenges ................................................................................................................. 7 National Recreation Trends ...................................................................................................................... 8 Arizona Motorized Outdoor Recreation Trends ....................................................................................... 8 Arizona Nonmotorized Outdoor Recreation Trends ................................................................................. 9 Recreation Opportunities ........................................................................................................................ 10 National Visitor Use Monitoring Data ................................................................................................ 10 Tonto National Forest Niche ............................................................................................................... 13 Setting, Special Places, and Values .................................................................................................... 14 Activities, Opportunities, and Experiences ......................................................................................... 16 Historic and Scenic Road Opportunities ................................................................................................. 16 Arizona National Scenic Trail and Great Western Trail Opportunities .................................................. 17 National Recreation Trail Opportunities ................................................................................................. 18 Developed Recreation ............................................................................................................................. 20 Outfitter-Guide Permitted Uses .............................................................................................................. 20 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................................. 21 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum .......................................................................................................... 21 Conflicts Associated with Motor Vehicle Use ........................................................................................ 22 Roads and Trails Designated for Motorized Use .................................................................................... 25 Motorized Cross-Country Travel ............................................................................................................ 25 Permit Zones ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Motor Vehicle Use for Big Game Retrieval ........................................................................................... 28 Motor Vehicle Use for Dispersed Camping ............................................................................................ 29 Environmental Consequences ..................................................................................................................... 30 Legal and Regulatory Compliance .......................................................................................................... 30 Laws and Forest Service Manual Direction ........................................................................................ 30 Tonto National Forest Plan ................................................................................................................. 30 Methodology and Assumptions .............................................................................................................. 31 Page 2 of 79 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 31 Assumptions ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Alternative A – No Action ...................................................................................................................... 41 Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ......................................................................... 41 Motorized Cross-Country Travel ........................................................................................................ 45 Motor Vehicle Use for Big Game Retrieval ....................................................................................... 45 Motor Vehicle Use for Dispersed Camping ........................................................................................ 46 Alternative B ........................................................................................................................................... 46 Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ......................................................................... 46 Areas Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ........................................................................................... 51 Motor Vehicle Use for Big Game Retrieval ....................................................................................... 51 Motor Vehicle Use for Dispersed Camping ........................................................................................ 51 Alternative C ........................................................................................................................................... 51 Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ......................................................................... 51 Areas Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ........................................................................................... 58 Motor Vehicle Use for Big Game Retrieval ....................................................................................... 59 Motor Vehicle Use for Dispersed Camping ........................................................................................ 60 Alternative D ........................................................................................................................................... 60 Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ......................................................................... 60 Areas Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ........................................................................................... 66 Motor Vehicle Use for Big Game Retrieval ....................................................................................... 67 Motor Vehicle Use for Dispersed Camping ........................................................................................ 67 Cumulative Effects .................................................................................................................................. 68 Past Action .......................................................................................................................................... 68 Ongoing and Future Foreseeable Actions ........................................................................................... 69 Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use ......................................................................... 69 Designated OHV Areas, including Corridors for Motorized Big Game Retrieval and Dispersed Camping .............................................................................................................................................. 70 Unavoidable and Adverse Effects ....................................................................................................... 70 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments ....................................................................................... 70 References ................................................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix A - Travel Management ROS for Each Alternative Rules and Guidelines ................................ 74 Appendix B - Costs associated with Motorized Trail and OHV Area Management .................................. 76 Page 3 of 79 Appendix C - Past Actions and Ongoing and Future Foreseeable Actions ................................................ 77 Page 4 of 79 Introduction The Tonto National Forest encompasses almost 3 million acres of rugged and spectacular country, ranging from the Saguaro studded Sonoran Desert to the pine forested mountains of the Mogollon Rim. Elevations run from 1,300 to 7,900 feet and offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year. The Tonto National Forest is the fifth