OHV Trail Improvements Under Review
Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2015
By KATHERINE DAVIS-YOUNG
The National Forest Service estimates the area north of Big Bear has the highest number of unauthorized off-highway vehicle trails of any of Southern California’s National Forest areas. With a proposed plan, they hope to change that.
Use of the San Bernardino National Forest has steadily increased during the past decade. With more visitors come more people who want to ride off-highway vehicles, like ATVs or off-road motorcycles. The Forest Service estimates more than 250,000 people visit the area for those sports each year. Off-highway recreation has left its mark on the National Forest, though, as some riders diverge from designated trails to forge their own paths.
“We have these unauthorized routes that aren’t part of our system of routes,” said Marc Stamer, San Bernardino National Forest Mountaintop District ranger. “The problem is, they’re not designed with public safety in mind, and they’re impacting other environmental concerns like erosion or the watershed.”
The Forest Service is developing a plan to adopt and improve some unauthorized off-highway vehicle trails and decommission and restore several others in an 8,000-acre area between Big Bear and Apple Valley. The plan, titled the Rattlesnake Mountain OHV Trails Project, will focus on motorcycle trails. The goal is to curb use of illegal trails by offering motorcycle riders new, better-maintained routes.
“It’s been a long while since any new single track trails were added, so we’re excited the Forest Service is considering opening these,” said Ron Sobchick of the Orange County Dualies motorcycle club, who attended an open house event with the Forest Service on March 7.
As of now, there are only about 2 miles of designated motorcycle trails in the project’s area. That’s compared to more than 70 miles of unauthorized trials.
The plan, which the Forest Service began designing about two years ago, proposes adding about 9 miles of off-highway vehicle trails. Of that, less than 1 mile would be new construction. Most sections of trail would be adapted from existing unauthorized trails. Dozens of other unauthorized trails in the project area would be closed off for rehabilitation.
Don Sapia of Orange County Dualies is happy about that. “I’d rather ride a legal trail. On trails that are official, you know the environmental impact has been considered.”
Sapia said his organization of about 60 Southern California off-road motorcycle enthusiasts is willing to put in some work for a safer, more enjoyable ride. He said the group often volunteers to help the Forest Service with maintenance. But until trails are deemed legal, volunteer crews can’t go in to work on improvements.
It’s possible that better-maintained off-highway vehicle trails will attract more users. But Forest Service project leader Scott Eliason said based on his experience he does not expect more visitors will lead to more illegal trails forming.
“If we provide opportunities that meet the public’s need, it’s less likely we’ll have problems with unauthorized use,” Eliason said.
The Forest Service hopes to reach a final decision on the project proposal by Sept. 30. After that, it will seek more funding to begin the process of trail construction, maintenance and restoration. For now, the Forest Service is seeking public input on the proposal.
Stamer said he thinks the plan strikes the right balance between environmental protection and safe recreational development. “I’m optimistic that everyone wants a system that’s sustainable,” he said.
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