HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Recreation Outdoor Coalition Recreation Outdoor Coalition
4000 Beacon Drive
Anderson, California 9600
September 10, 2008
Curt Josiassen
Supervisor, District 4
County of Butte
25 Country Center Drive
Susanville, CA 95965
Dear Supervisor Josiassen;
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss non-highway vehicle travel on unpaved
roads maintained by Butte County at the August 19th Board meeting. The Recreation
Outdoor Coalition (ROC) is working closely with the national forests in northern
California as they prepare their travel management plans. The Forest Service's
decision to adopt these plans will determine where off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel
may occur within the national forests in our area. ROC asserts all unpaved national
forest roads should remain open for OHV use unless there is a public safety issue or
resource concern.
ROC also encourages all county Boards of Supervisors in northern California to pass
resolutions or ordinances to allow OHV travel on maintained, unpaved county roads
unless there is a risk to the riding public that cannot be mitigated. Public safety and
resource protection are our paramount objectives. Most unpaved county and
national forest roads can be "shared use" roads and still meet these two goals. Prior
to endorsing OHV travel on maintained, unpaved county roads, we encourage you to
consult with your Public Works Director, County Legal Counsel, and County Sheriff.
During our previous meetings with other Boards of Supervisors, we are often asked
the following questions.
1. What if private property owners object to shared OHV use on a county road?
ROC's Response.- Complaints about dust and noise are a legitimate concern. Road
signage will help mitigate this issue along with law enforcement as needed. The
California Vehicle Code mandates a speed limit of 15 mph when traveling within 50
feet of any concentration of people or animals. Education and signage should be
effective in mitigating this concern. If the problem persists despite signage,
enforcement, driver education or other measures, then County Supervisors may wish
to reconsider shared use on those road segments. ROC will do our best to educate
users on "courteous travel" through residential areas to avoid conflicts.
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2. Traffic volume on some unpaved county roads may increase substantially when
there is timber haul or for other short-term activities. Won't that increase the risk to
OHV riders if there are logging or other commercial vehicles on the road?
ROC's Response: Counties (as well as other public agencies) have the ability to
restrict OHV travel when commercial vehicles are using roads for a short time period.
For example, this prohibition could include the duration of an active timber sale or just
Monday through Friday. Commercial haul could be prohibited on the weekends
when OHV recreation is typically higher to better accommodate public use. There
are several ways to deal with this situation when it occurs and inform the public of
any temporary changes in use.
3. Should seasonal OHV use be allowed versus year round use on unpaved county
roads?
ROC's Response.- Counties could adopt a "season of use" on some roads.
However, we prefer year-round access for OHV riders unless a compelling reason
exists to limit it. Some national forests have instituted wet weather closures in the
winter that applies to all motor vehicles (street-legal as well as OHV).
Thank you, again, for the opportunity to meet with you. Please contact me if I can
provide additional information or other assistance as you consider a resolution or
ordinance.
Sincerely,
f
SYLVIA MILLIGAN
Chair, Recreation Outdoor Coalition