... if I ignore the fire restriction closures for Fordyce and hit the trail anyway?

Has a fire ever started in TNF and it been a proven fact that it was a vehicle that caused it?

The monetary would be miniscuke compared to the cost you would have on the image of the 4 wheeling community.

The "Rebel Off-Roaders" at it again!!

But I understand where your feelings are coming from.

you would be a complete fool to even run the trail.

Forest Supervisor

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3881.

This order supercedes Order Number 17-07-02 dated June 8, 2007.


I say go ahead...the TNF could use the money:shaking:

I don't plan on running the trail against the restrictions, as I realize the image that it places on the OHV community as a whole. I would have just felt like it was a slap in the face to put those restrictions on us, and then give us some rinky-dink $100 fine for the violation.

I guess I'm feeling targeted right now, as I'm sure everyone else does. Our club had been planning on running the trail since early winter, and now we're scrambling to figure out a good alternative (besides the Rubicon). I don't feel quite as bad, however, knowing that Sierra Trek has been cancelled.

I don't plan on running the trail against the restrictions, as I realize the image that it places on the OHV community as a whole. I would have just felt like it was a slap in the face to put those restrictions on us, and then give us some rinky-dink $100 fine for the violation.

I guess I'm feeling targeted right now, as I'm sure everyone else does. Our club had been planning on running the trail since early winter, and now we're scrambling to figure out a good alternative (besides the Rubicon). I don't feel quite as bad, however, knowing that Sierra Trek has been cancelled.

How bout the Dusy?

yea, it sucks.
We need more than just a small handfull of challenging trails in Nor-Cal.:mad3:

How bout the Dusy?

That was under consideration, but running it in two days would be tiring for our crew. Thanks though!

Swamp Lake!!!!

We had plans to go with a group to Fordyce at the end of the month, but now it looks like that's off. Some friends say they still plan on going up and and checking it out anyway. Will they even get through? Will the rangers stop them? I think it's dumb to go, but these guys can be stubborn!

So how long until El Dorado NF gets on the BAN wagon???

tell me you are kidding. Aside from the fine & jail time, think about how that makes our community look from the outside. Tell your friends to do us all a favor and go somewhere else just like we are all doing. Nobody around here is happy about what is going on, but jeez :shaking:

and yes rangers have been patroling the entrances

I wish I was kidding, but I'm sure these guys are not the only people that are dead set and going to try to get in. I already warned them and it's up to them to do the right, or wrong, thing. Hopefully a ranger or someone will be there to keep everyone out. Apparently there isn't enough public awareness or maybe some people just decide to turn a deaf ear!

IMO, I think that the closure should be broadcasted on some of the local news stations. I'm surprised this hasn't been done already.

I wish I was kidding, but I'm sure these guys are not the only people that are dead set and going to try to get in. I already warned them and it's up to them to do the right, or wrong, thing. Hopefully a ranger or someone will be there to keep everyone out. Apparently there isn't enough public awareness or maybe some people just decide to turn a deaf ear!

IMO, I think that the closure should be broadcasted on some of the local news stations. I'm surprised this hasn't been done already.

I have not seen anything in the media but I am not local.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
"We sent the restriction news release - like we normally do- to all the
media - Sac Bee, The Union, Sierra Booster, Mountain Messenger, Auburn
Journal, reno gazette journal, associated press, yubanet, radio and tv
stations, as well as our website.

Ann Westling
Tahoe National Forest
Public Affairs Officer
(530) 478-6205"
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the html link for the "Rationale for Initiating Increased Fire Restrictions on the Tahoe National Forest" for those interested.

Interesting how it talks about spark arrestors and OHV being possible causes, but not anything about vehicles. It's the stupid and careless people they're worried about. Kind of along the lines about how guns don't kill people, people kill people.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/news/07_news_releases/07_july_04_Fire%20Rest_rationale.htm

that last little part about the kid in WA seems to be a dirty threat...especially becasue they don't give an specifics on the other incidents in the TNF they cite. I wonder if this and the crap about spark arestors is in response to all the angry e-mails they got from OHV users....

Has a fire ever started in TNF and it been a proven fact that it was a vehicle that caused it?

:confused:

There are already laws requiring the use of an "U.S.F.S APPROVED" spark arrestor on dirtbikes, quads, etc., on public lands. Street legal vehicles are exempt from the spark arrestor law as far as I know. ???

Now they are saying that their very own stamp of approval isn't good enough?

Hypocrites!!! :mad:

The FS needs to change it's standards for spark arrestors and enforce it's damn law! They aren't paid to make BS excuses for closing areas based on spark arrestor issues that they themselves have approved! Furthermore, spark arrestors have nothing to do with this issue as far as I'm concerned anyway. It's just another excuse to justify their stance.

I still feel that this closure was an illegal act commited by the TNF. According to the Forest Service Manual:
2355.04 - Responsibility
2355.04d - Forest Supervisors

Forest Supervisors shall . . . Close areas and trails immediately when vehicle use is causing or is likely to cause considerable adverse effects.

This doesn't give the Supervisor blanket authority to close trails at a whim or because something might happen. Or for that matter, because something happened somewhere else that had nothing to do with OHV use, and political pressure is mandating that something must be done. (ie. Angora Fire) No. Only if it is happening or is likely to happen. Please, what is the likelihood that OHV use would cause a fire. And by that I mean the actual operation of the vehicle on the trail, not any associated user caused risks like illegal campfires or smoking. This is the only provision that a Forest Supervisor has to close a designed route without involving a more intensive study of the problem fueling the closure. I'd like to see Cal4x4 bring suit agaist the TNF for loss of revenue due to this illegal act.