Dixie forest plan eliminates off-trail travel

A new plan for Dixie National Forest eliminates unrestricted off-trail travel for motorized vehicles and instead designates some 2,700 miles of routes for ATVs and other vehicles.

Forest supervisor Rob MacWhorter says the plan is intended to help federal officials better manage an increasing number of motorized vehicles in the forest and limit the effects on the natural environment.

The plan will close some routes used by vehicles in the past to protect water quality, wildlife or soil.

The public has 45 days to comment on the newly-released plan. It's scheduled to go into effect later this year.

Dixie National Forest covers nearly 2 million acres in southern Utah.