Foresthill winter closure???

[HardCoreZJ]

I know it's kinda late to post this, but I just received this myself today.



>Dear Valued Roseville Yamaha Customer,
>
>If you are an off-roader and value your right to ride, now is the time
>to get involved!
>
>Not long ago, the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station in Forest Hill, CA
>(just East of Auburn) held a meeting to discuss the possible closure of
>all Forest Hill trails and riding areas surrounding Forest Hill and the
>Sugar Pine area during the winter months. Present at this meeting were
>numerous environmentalists who hope to unfairly close your riding areas.
>These individuals are banking on you NOT making your voice heard NOR
>your presence known.
>
>Tomorrow night (1/11/07) from 6-8pm (see USFS Bulletin below), there
>will be a follow-up public meeting to discuss this issue and an
>opportunity for you to make your opinions and feelings known. At the
>last meeting, their were a reported 55 (approx.) environmentalists who
>wish to close Forest Hill vs. just 3 off-road dirt bike riders present
>who obviously strongly oppose the closures. Even though there are more
>than 1 million registered off-road enthusiasts in CA who value their
>American right to ride on public land, many of us do not stick up for
>our own riding rights! We can't afford for the USFS to think we don't care about our riding areas!
>
>Roseville Yamaha would like to encourage your participation in this
>meeting in Forest Hill tomorrow night, and for those who cannot
>physically make the trip to the Forest Hill Ranger Station, we'd
>encourage you to at least send a letter or e-mail to the contacts
>listed in the announcement below to voice your concern over the proposed closures.
>
>Remember, the GREEN STICKER fees that you pay with every dirt bike and
>ATV purchase are supposed to go toward maintaining areas for you to ride!
>Unfortunately, these funds have been mismanaged by the many
>environmentalists who claim there is not enough money for trail
>maintenance. Additionally, they are making unsubstantiated claims that
>the Sugar Pine water supply might be at risk for contamination from our
>riding--again, these statements are not true! What the USFS really
>needs is good off-road citizens like us to volunteer our time and
>energy to help maintain the trail system as a supplement to the work
>already being performed by the Forest Service. If you are committed to
>riding, there is no better way to help protect our riding areas (and
>keep them open) than for us to pitch in and help out ourselves!
>
>Don't let poor government decisions keep you from riding your favorite,
>beautiful trails in our Northern California foothills! Make an
>appearance at tomorrow night's meeting, or voice your concerns to the
>USFS in Forest Hill now!
>
>Happy Riding!
>
>Your Staff and Friends at Roseville Yamaha
>
>
>----------------------------------
>FROM THE USFS FOREST SERVICE WEB SITE:
>http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/news/0...c_27_arrd_ohv_
>mtg.shtml
>
>December 21 , 2006 Contact:
>Jan Cutts
>District Ranger,
>530-906-2095
>
>
>Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Closure of Forest Service OHV Trails
>and Roads near Foresthill Scheduled for January 11, 2007
>FORESTHILL…..The Forest Service is considering options for managing OHV
>trails and roads in the Sugar Pine area of Foresthill during the wet
>weather season, including a winter closure. According to District
>Ranger Jan Cutts, “Every year there has been increased use of trail and
>road systems during wet weather when the trails and roads are most
>susceptible to damage. The resources are not able to sustain this level
>of use year round. If the trails or roads were designed for wet weather
>use we might be better able to control the damage, but neither was
>designed for wet weather use. During winter freeze/thaw time frames we
>also find increased illegal OHV riding; riders get off the trails and
>either cross country ride or use roads that are not designed for OHV
>use. Cross country riding, or off-route riding, is not legal here, and
>it causes additional resource impacts and maintenance needs. Among
>other important resources, water quality is at risk.”
>
>Ranger Cutts continued, “Additionally, public safety is an issue.
>During cold spells, the trail and road surfaces freeze. When the frozen
>surface starts to thaw, the trails get slimy, traction is easily lost,
>and the accident potential increases. As most people know, our area
>supports a wide variety of riders, from experts to new riders,
>including families with small children. Rider safety is of great
>concern and importance to us, and another important factor to balance
>in making decisions about resource management strategies.”
>
>The Forest Service wants to hear from the public. “Perhaps there are
>strategies and ideas we have not thought of to balance resource
>management and public safety when it comes to motorized use during wet
>weather conditions,” Ranger Cutts states. “We want to hear from the
>public prior to making a decision on what to do. Additionally, the
>public needs to know what mandates, laws, and responsibilities the
>Forest Service has to work with. Through this understanding, maybe
>there is a way to meet concerns and develop a strategy for the future.”
>“Finally,” according to Ranger Cutts, “we need people who are willing
>to invest their own time in helping to manage this important trail system to join us in this discussion.”
>
>The public meeting will be held January 11, 2007 from 6 pm to 8 pm at
>the American River Ranger District office in Foresthill. The address is
>22830 Foresthill Road. Space and time are very limited, and so it is
>requested that groups select a spokesperson that can attend on behalf
>of the group and bring focus to the discussion and interactions. Please
>bring ideas and willingness to commit to future efforts on this issue.
>
>For additional information concerning this project, contact Mo Tebbe or
>Mark Lambert by telephone: (530) 367-2224; or by email:
>mtebbe@fs.fed.us or mdlambert01@fs.fed.us .
>
>Location map (opens in new window):
>
>http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=2...+Foresthill+CA
>+95631&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=14&ll=39.011981,-120.843859&spn=0.033679,0.08317&
>iwloc=addr