Forest Service Restricts OHV Travel in
Gibson
Prairie Area
Parkdale, OR – Effective
June 3, 2005 the Mt. Hood
National Forest will restrict wheeled motorized vehicles in the Gibson
Prairie area to designated National Forest System roads and Trail #451
only. Off-road travel by wheeled motorized vehicles is prohibited and
will be strictly enforced. This closure does not affect snowmobile use
in the area. Access to dispersed camping sites with wheeled motorized
vehicles is allowed for those sites within 50 ft. of designated routes
open to wheeled motorized vehicles. The closure covers approximately
11,000 acres.
District Ranger, Daina
Bambe stated, “All Terrain
Vehicle (ATV) and motorcycle enthusiasts have illegally constructed
over 20 miles of trail in the area.” Construction and/or maintenance of
trails on National Forest System lands are allowed by authorized permit
or agreement only. Many of the trails that user groups have constructed
and/or developed through repeated use are located in sensitive areas,
and are adversely affecting wildlife, fisheries, soil and hydrological
resources. These trails are being developed without any environmental
review for suitability for location and potential impacts to natural
resources. Closing the area to off road vehicle use will enable Forest
Service personnel to manage the illegal use better through patrols,
citations, and other law enforcement measures. This emergency closure
for resource protection can be in place for up to one year.
The Forest Service has
made several attempts to
stop the illegal trail building and use. Several articles have been
published in local papers. Illegal trails have been signed, and closed
through placement of logs and other barriers; however, users are
removing barriers and/or driving around the closures, disregarding the
closure efforts by Forest Service personnel.
The Forest Service is
attempting to accommodate
the demand for recreational use in the area. The Mill Creek
Collaborative Working Group which includes a broad range of recreation
interests (horse, hiker, mountain bike, ATV/motorcycle, snowmobile) is
utilizing a collaborative process to identify potential trail
opportunities in the Gibson Prairie area that will best accommodate the
wide variety of needs between the user groups. In addition, the Mt Hood
National Forest is currently moving forward with developing several
preliminary proposals which, after environmental review and public
involvement, may result in more designated ATV/OHV trails on the forest.
