August
25, 2005 - The rapid expansion
of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use on national forests and grasslands is
impacting the natural and cultural resources of federal lands. Dale
Bosworth, Chief of the Forest Service, has identified unmanaged
recreation, especially impacts from OHV's, as one of the key threats
facing the nation's forests today. Unmanaged OHV use has resulted in
unplanned roads and trails, erosion, watershed and habitat degradation,
and impacts on cultural resource sites.
Help ensure that favorite trails are not left out
As
previously
announced at Plumas National Forest public meetings,
October 1, 2005 is the last day for
the public to submit routes that may have been missed and are currently
being used by OHV enthusiasts. This information along with the
previously inventoried areas will be used to develop an interim Forest
Order to be issued by March, 2006. This order will limit OHV use to
those routes, trails, and areas that are mapped, until a final
environmental analysis is completed. If favorite trails, routes, and
areas are not included in the inventory, OHV use in these areas will be
prohibited until a final decision is rendered in 2008. Therefore, this
is the opportunity to ensure that favorite trails, routes, and areas
are included in this process!
Due to fire restrictions that became effective August 1, the operation
of internal combustion engines off of forest development roads is
prohibited. However, people with a letter of authorization to assist
with the OHV route designation process are exempt from the restrictions.
For additional information or questions about the process, contact the
following Plumas National Forest employees. Route information should
also be submitted to them:
- Lynne Ingram, Beckwourth Ranger District, (530) 836-7120
- Peggy Gustafson, Mt. Hough Ranger District, (530) 283-7620
- Tricia Christofferson, Feather River Ranger District, (530)
532-7460
Complete information including maps may also be found on the Plumas
National Forest website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas.
