Forest

NOTE-Below is a summary of an article in the Times-Standard newspaper June 6, 1996

Closure of two off-road vehicle trails delayed. More impact studies will be done before making a final decision.

EUREKA, CA--Off-road vehicle riders Wednesday hailed the delay of a plan to close seven miles of forest roads to protect Port Orford cedar. As part of its overall land management plan, Six Rivers National Forest had proposed to close portions of roads in the Smith River National Recreation Area north of Gasquet.
The proposal was appealed by the Lost Coast 4x4’s Club, Redwood Scramblers Motorcycle Club and North Coast Recreation Coalition, backed by the California Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs, Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association, and the American Motorcyclist Association.
Last week the U.S. Forest Service granted the appeal and reversed the decision, ruling that Six Rivers must complete an environmental impact assessment specific to the site for this and any other road closing proposal.
"We’re pleased with this decision and look forward to participating in the study," said Patric Lassiter, spokesman for the Lost Coast 4x4’s Club. "It puts Six Rivers staff on notice that they must base their decisions upon sound science and not personal wishes."

In their appeal, the clubs argued that the forest service did not document the necessity of closing the road to protect the cedars, that the decision was inserted in the management plan without an opportunity for public comment, and that the service did not properly evaluate alternatives to road closure.
The clubs argue that closing roads hampers public access to back-country recreation, including camping, hiking, fishing and hunting as well as off-road vehicle use. They also contend that it "poses a serious threat to forest health by limiting the ability to fight wildfires."

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