The new rules — which take effect in 30 days — do not restrict or expand access for all-terrain vehicles, which have become increasingly popular, and they do not affect snowmobiles. But Forest Service Chief Dale N. Bosworth, who has identified “unmanaged recreation” as one of the four biggest threats to national forests, said the proposal will both satisfy visitors and protect public land.
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Rather than specifying criteria for designating routes for motorized vehicles, the rules instruct local officials to base decisions on public input, with the aim of minimizing environmental damage and conflicts with other users. This approach drew praise from riders of motorcycles, four-wheel-drives and other off-road vehicles — whose numbers have risen from 5 million in 1972 to 51 million in 2001 — but drew criticism from environmentalists.

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