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  Closure of 2,450 miles of trails proposed
  Tahoe Forest plan cites damage caused by unmanaged riding
  By Laura Brown, Nevada City Union
  Apr 30, 2007

  Tahoe National Forest is proposing to close 2,450 miles of unauthorized
  off-highway-vehicle trails that have been used for years to halt
  problems such as erosion and impacts on wildlife. In turn, 50 miles of
  so-called OHV trails not previously in the forest's inventory will be
  added to a developing designated route system.



  The crackdown is part of a nationwide effort that began three years ago
  to identify motorized roads and trails on federal lands and control
  unmanaged riding. Unmanaged recreation from OHVs is one of the "four key
  threats facing the nation's forests and grasslands," according to a
  report by the U.S. Forest Service.



  "This kind of damage is just not acceptable," said Phil Horning, forest
  landscape architect with the Tahoe National Forest.



  Last fall, groups participated in helping forest officials locate and
  map 110 trails that are now up for review during a public-comment period
  that will end May 15.



  A crowd of 75 dirt bikers and ATV riders, horse riders and members of
  the environmental community packed the Banner Grange off McCourtney Road
  Thursday night to hear Tahoe National Forest officials lay out the plan.



  The proposal outlined by the Forest Service also includes the addition
  of a 60-acre wheeled motorized area. It also allows nonstreet vehicles
  on a three-mile stretch of roadway where it currently isn't allowed.



  A draft environmental impact report will come out in September, followed
  by a 45-day comment period. A final statement is expected to be complete
  by January of next year.



  The cost of the studies for this fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept.
  30, is $500,000. A portion of the cost will be paid for by using state
  "green sticker" money from licensing off-road motorcycles and ATVs. The
  rest of the funds will come from forest services reserves, which are
  facing a 20-percent budget reduction this year.



  Impact



  California is experiencing the highest level of OHV use of any state in
  the country. People registered 786,914 ATVs and OHV motorcycles in 2004,
  up 330 percent since 1980, according to documents handed out by the
  forest service at Thursday's meeting.



  In 2005, an estimated 1,609,000 people visited the Tahoe National
  Forest. The number of motorized users is smaller than the number of
  "nonmotorized" users, which includes hikers, equestrian riders and
  mountain bicyclists, Horning said. Many people travel from the Bay Area,
  Sacramento and Reno to ride on trails within the forest.



  The increased popularity of OHV users in the forests and the impacts
  created when motorized vehicles leave the trails and go onto sensitive
  soils in meadows and riparian areas is a nationwide concern for
  biologists.



  A number of sensitive wildlife species, such as the spotted owl and bald
  eagle living near trails, are also a concern, as well as old forests,
  archeological sites and a number of plant species.



  The trails that were rejected include historic mining trails and ones
  that weave through sensitive areas.



  Mixed use



  The trails - though designated for OHV use - are used by many, including
  anglers and campers, who have not been active in the route designation
  process so far, Horning said. Their input is needed to locate
  little-known trails that lead to favorite fishing streams or primitive
  campsites.



  "We definitely encourage folks to take a look at the maps," Horning
  said.



  More cuts in the future



  The 50 miles of trails selected are a hodgepodge of small sections of
  trails from all over the forest. They were chosen for the loops, scenic
  vistas and access to campgrounds they provide.



  The forest service will have 810 miles of motorized trails to manage
  with the 50-mile addition - at a time when the forest service is facing
  cutbacks.



  Designated roads are in jeopardy of being closed over time because of
  the continuous budget decline, Horning said.



  Limits may also be placed on the number of users permitted on the trails
  as the forest becomes more crowded, Horning said.



  "I don't think users want to hear that," Horning said.



  Not enough miles



  On weekends, the Burlington Ridge area gets hundreds of OHV users who
  say they need 50 to 100 miles of trails to ride a day.



  A five-mile trail created by the Nevada County Woods Riders 25 years ago
  was cut in the proposal. By reducing the number of trails in the area,
  people will grow bored and explore neighboring off-limit lands, said
  Woods Rider member Joseph Cochran.



  "They're creating the exact problems their trying to prevent," Cochran
  said.











  To review a map of the proposed OHV routes visit:
  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/.



  Maps can also be viewed at various ranger districts, including the
  Supervisor's Office at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City.











  Comments can be sent to:







  Route Designation Team, Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada
  City, CA. 95959 or by e-mail to tnf_rte_desi@xxxxxxxxxx The comment
  deadline is May 15.






Thanks,
Sheila
916.414.6685

A lovely horse is always an experience.... It is an emotional experience of
the kind that is spoiled by words.  ~Beryl Markham


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