USDA Forest Service announces 30-day comment period for environmental assessment

RUSSELLVILLE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) proposes to designate two existing non-motorized trails for use by electric bikes on the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.
The two well-established trails in the project area—Womble Trail on the Ouachita National Forest, and Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests—are currently open to and managed for traditional (non-motorized) mountain biking. No new trail construction would occur, and there would not be an increase in trail lengths. Routine trail maintenance and Forest Plan monitoring would continue with no substantial changes anticipated.
The Womble Trail is a point-to-point trail in western Arkansas northwest of Mount Ida that extends from McGill Mountain on the northeast end, to North Fork Lake on the southwest end. Trail elevations range from about 600 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The total trail mileage currently managed for mountain biking and proposed for e-bike use under this action is about 38 miles. Some stretches of this trail intersect roads that are already managed for motorized use. The trail overlaps with a variety of management areas, as defined in the Ouachita National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan.
The Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is a network of interconnected loops and spurs north of the town of Mountain View, and ranges from about 300 to 1,000 feet in elevation.
Trail grades are generally at or below ten percent. The total trail mileage in this area currently managed for mountain biking and proposed for e-bike use under this action is about 51 miles. This includes several short stretches that overlap with existing

roads that are already classified for motorized use. The trail system overlaps with a variety of management areas, as defined in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan.
At present, e-bikes are only authorized on legal, motorized trails and roads on the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests as established under the 2005 Motor Vehicle Travel Management Rule. The USFS has approved new Agency-level travel management directives to guide the management of e-bikes on non-motorized trails on National Forest System lands.
Before a decision can be made to expand use of e-bikes on specific national forests and grasslands, the unit must first conduct the appropriate environmental analysis and provide the opportunity for public engagement, just like any other project that alters the use of the land. The Forest Service welcomes your input! For more information, including how to comment, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62170. The comment period ends November 28, 2023.
After considering submitted comments, the Forest Service will finalize the EA. Prior to a decision, a 45-day objection period will be provided on the final EA and a draft Decision Notice/ Finding of No Significant Impact. If you have questions about this project or would like more information, please contact Jade Ryles, Ouachita National Forest Environmental Coordinator, at charity.j.ryles@usda.gov.