The Associated Press

RAPID CITY - The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to unveil its first proposal to regulate off-road vehicle use in the Black Hills National Forest.

The measure will restrict all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles to certain areas in order to protect environmentally sensitive areas.

The Forest Service has taken input from the public, off-roading clubs and conservationists.

"Five years ago we basically didn't have anything close to the numbers of ATVs and dirt bikes and off road machines that we do today," said Tom Willems, a spokesman for the Forest Service.

The Forest Service will take public comment on the plan in September and expects to make a final decision in 2008.