Public Input Needed During Hoosier National Forest Road Study

Last updated on Friday, October 31, 2014

(BEDFORD) - The U.S. Forest Service has begun a study of the road system on the Hoosier National Forest, known formally as the Travel Analysis Process, and is inviting the public to participate.

The study is part of the Travel Management Rule, adopted by the U.S. Forest Service in 2005.

The rule requires every national forest to complete a study of their road system by 2015.

To share information about the study and gather input from local stakeholders.

The Forest Service has scheduled four "Forest Road Study" open houses.

During the open houses, staff will be on hand to answer questions, share information, and gather information from the public.

The goal is to show what data has been collected, gain your input on access needs and benefits, and identify any problems, risks, or opportunities for change.

Please note that this study applies only to roads managed by the Hoosier National Forest, and not to those county or state managed roads which run through National Forest System lands.

The open houses will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, at the following locations and dates:

Tell City, Indiana: Tell City District Office at 248 15th Street

November 5th
November 13th

Bedford, Indiana: Brownstown/Supervisor's Office at 811 Constitution Avenue

November 6th
November 12th

You may also submit your comments on-line by going to our Travel Management, collaborative mapping website at https://my.usgs.gov/ppgis/studio/launch/13927. The website allows you to select a particular road from a map of the Hoosier and attach your comments about why you value that particular road or have concerns about it. Pop-up user guides are provided for assistance in utilizing the website. Public input can be sent electronically to the Forest email at r9 hoosier website@fs.fed.us, in hard copy form or by visiting our offices. A comment form is provided on the Hoosier website.

"The aim of this study and the public input is to help us identify a road system that serves the needs of the public and the Forest Service, at a cost we can afford to maintain over time," explained Forest Supervisor Michael Chaveas. "The Forest Road Study is not making any decisions about the future of any specific road at this time."

To learn more about the study please visit the Hoosier website at http://fs.usda.gov/hoosier. Hardcopy maps and comment forms are available at the Tell City Ranger District office and the Forest Supervisor's office in Bedford.

If you have any questions about the Forest Road Study, open houses, or how to provide comment, please call Judi Perez (japerez@fs.fed.us) at 812-275-5987.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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