BAKER CITY – The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is reviewing conditions of existing roads and trails, and asking the public to help.

Supervisor John Laurance said one public concern raised in talks about travel management was that the forest staff needed to get a “better handle on the condition of the Forest Service roads and motorized trails, and how they were being used.”

He said he asked staff to produce a map depicting the existing conditions and uses within the travel management area, and now he wants the public to check them out. Comments are sought by Nov. 28.

Laurance said he wants to know if the maps accurately reflect how the roads and trails are being used. If not, people should let the agency know the actual use.

He said the effort “is not about whether a road should be open or closed, nor is it a formal comment period.” He said the goal is to determine if the maps correctly display the uses.

The information will help with updating the map by next spring. That map, along with the analysis for the sustainable road system, will serve as the starting point to begin discussions and the public planning process for compliance with the 2005 Travel Management Rule, which requires each forest to produce a motorized vehicle use map.

The Forest is not handing out copies of the maps due to the production cost, $125 per set. However, the public can view the maps online and print them, or request a CD with printing instructions from 541-523-1246 or 541-523-1302.

Map sets are being provided to the Baker, Union, Wallowa and Grant County courts or commissions, and also are available to view at the forest’s ranger districts.