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Eldorado National Forest to close 1,000 miles of trails to off-road vehicles
By Matt Weiser - mweiser@sacbee.com
Last Updated 11:33 pm PDT Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A sign prohibiting motorized vehicles sits in front of a once-popular off-road route. Kevin German / Sacramento Bee file 2005
The Eldorado National Forest said Tuesday it will close about 1,000 miles of roads and trails to off-road vehicles, marking the end of a contentious process to address environmental damages.
Closures will take effect in 2009, giving trail users time to adapt to the changes. This will also allow time for a required 90-day appeal process, which is certain to be used by both environmentalists and off-roading groups.
The forest on the southern flank of Lake Tahoe has seen growing conflicts in recent years between vehicles and those seeking a quieter outdoor experience.
The plan leaves 1,847 miles of forest roads and trails open to all-terrain vehicles. That's a decrease from the 2,342 miles that had been available before. Hikers, horseback riders and other non-motorized users will continue to have access to the closed routes.
A key feature of the plan is total closure of all non-paved routes during January, February and March, to reduce water pollution and trail damage.
The plan "is designed to provide access where it is important to forest visitors and to protect forest resources," Eldorado Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo said in a statement. "I know we won't get it exactly right the first time. However, one key to implementing the plan is the opportunity to make changes."
Environmentalists say the plan doesn't go far enough. They believe winter closures should last longer, and they question certain routes that remain open, including several passing through meadows.
Off-roading groups object to the loss of routes they have enjoyed for years.
Eldorado is the first national forest in the Sierra Nevada to complete a plan for off-road vehicle routes. More than 6,000 people submitted comments on the plan, which took nearly three years to complete.
The plan was required by a court order in response to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups. Since then, national Forest Service leaders required all forests to adopt similar plans, which are at various stages of completion.
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