Date: 5/23/02

Interested OHV Users and Clubs,

Off Highway Vehicle use is an important and popular recreation activity on the National Forests. Many organizations, clubs, and individuals participate in this activity in a responsible manner and represent the sport in a positive light. As we all know, some users are uninformed or just don’t care about the image of the sport or the damage that can be done to the environment by irresponsible use.

An area on the Pacific Ranger District of the Eldorado National Forest is an area that has been damaged by uncontrolled OHV use. This area includes portions of Big Silver Creek, Bassi Creek, Bassi Falls, and Millionaire Camp areas.

Enclosed with this letter is an information sheet describing the past use of this area and adjacent private land, and a description of the watershed restoration project currently being worked on in this area on National Forest land.

Please use these “talking points” when discussing use of this area with other users and club members. I encourage you to develop your own letters, stories, newletters, newspaper articles, etc. to help get the word out about this project. By doing so, I believe the OHV user community can take the “high ground” on this issue and show support for this type of restoration work and elimination of use in inappropriate areas.

By being proactive on this issue, both the Forest Service and the users can gain credibility in the eyes of the general public and position us better to continue offering premire OHV areas on the District such as the Rubicon and Barrett trails.

Thank you for practicing and spreading the word about Responsible Use on public lands. It is the responsible users and groups that are critical to maintaining and enhancing OHV opportunities.

Sincerely,
/s/
GARY BILYEU
District Ranger
Pacific Ranger District

Big Silver Creek Watershed Restoration Project
(Millionaire Camp and Bassi Falls area)
Eldorado National Forest
Pacific Ranger District


This project is being completed to repair resource damage (soil compaction and erosion) that has occurred as a result of motorized vehicle use off of National Forest System Roads.

Recent situation:

· User created roads weave throughout the Millionaire Camp area, adjacent to Big Silver Creek and along Bassi Creek to Bassi Falls. This activity has led to loss of vegetation and soil compaction in these areas. Erosion is occurring at an ever increasing rate on these user created roads. The ruts and deep gullies seen in this area are some of the evidence of the erosion that is occurring.
· There is no designated route to Bassi Falls. All routes that have been used to access this area are user created roads.
· The erosion that is occurring has led to streambank damage and sediment washing into Big Silver and Bassi Creeks. This situation is affecting water quality and fisheries habitat. These affects can be seen within the project area and downstream to Union Valley Reservoir.

What will this project involve?

· Obliterate user created roads. Rip (mechanically scarify with tractor) roads to reduce soil compaction and install waterbars to improve drainage.
· Mulch disturbed areas with rice straw to provide ground cover.
· Revegetate impacted areas.
· Place rock and log barriers at Millionaire Camp to restrict vehicles driving into Big Silver Creek.

This project is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and the private landowner.

· All the user created routes that access Bassi Falls cross private land. Millionaire Camp (dispersed camping area) and Bassi Falls are on public land.
· The private landowner is no longer willing to overlook the trespassing that has been occurring because of the significant and increasing resource damage that has been occurring.
· The private landowner has completed erosion control work on their private land, and the private property will be posted “No Trespassing”.


How does this restoration project affect public land use at Millionaire Camp and Bassi Falls?

· The public land in this area will remain open for public use, however there will be no motorized vehicle access to Bassi Falls. Bassi Falls is within a non-motorized roadless area as designated in the Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
· Access to Bassi Falls is a 15 minute walk across public land from the end of Forest Road 12N32A. Non-motorized use of this area for hiking, picnicking, backpacking camping, etc. is encouraged.
· Motorized vehicle access will be provided to the dispersed camping areas at Millionaire Camp (off Ice House Road near Big Silver Creek).
· A Forest Order prohibits the use of motorized vehicles off of National Forest System Roads within the restoration project area.

Thank you for posting this kind of information. It is my opinion that if people took care of the places they want to use, this kind of thing would not happen. If the "USER" created roads near the river were damaging the riverbank and sending sediment into the river,Which i believe was happening,Then i wish the land owner would have posted signs stating where we could drive and where we could'nt. If this was done,and people were to heed the signs maybe we would still be able to enjoy our sport and enjoy this beautiful area.


Thank you,

:jeep: DOGThis saddens me, We need to get envolved.

Good info, thanks.