| Working to preserve forest access for the public |
Our Mission The Sierra Access Coalition (SAC) is a group composed of individuals, user groups, and local businesses that work to protect forest access for the public. This group is working primarily on the Plumas NF and in other areas in northern California. Our mission statement is to preserve environmentally-sound routes for public use. The Forest Service is currently designating which roads and trails may be used by motorized vehicles in the forest (cars, pickups, motorcycles, quads, etc.) Routes that are not designated in this process will be closed to ALL motorized vehicles. |
SIERRA ACCESS COALITION
This website is sponsored by:
123 Crescent St., Quincy CA 95971 - (530) 283-2136 - dupontpowertool.com
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LINKS
LINKS AND INFORMATION
| Our Mission Statement |
As members of
Sierra Access Coalition,
we need to go the extra mile.
If you see trash, pick it up!
SAC is looking for a member to
coordinate projects (such as clean-up
projects, trail maintenance, etc) with
the
USFS. If you're interested,
contact SAC at info@sierraaccess.com
Plumas NF email links:
SAC Steering Committee email links:
| What You Can Do To Help |
Editorials and Letters From Our Members
PLUMAS NF DRAFT EIS DETAILS
The public comment period for the DEIS ended on March 16, 2009. SAC will keep a summary of the
alternatives on this website until the Final EIS is published.
The Draft EIS is 459 pages long.
General summary of the 5 alternatives:
Alternative 1 - No action. Does not prohibit cross-country motorized travel. Allows use of 1109 miles of
inventoried routes.
Alternative 2 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 284 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, and adds one 36-acre area in Sly Cr. for motorized travel.
Alternative 3 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, and adds no additional roads and trails. The
Wilderness Society proposes "Citizens Inventoried Roadless Areas" under this alternative.
Alternative 4 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 139 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, and changes 11.3 miles to mixed-use vehicle class.
Alternative 5 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 172 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, adds one 36-acre area in Sly Cr. for motorized travel, and changes 11.3 miles to mixed-use
vehicle class.
Click on these links to download a .pdf map of each alternative:
Alternative 1 Map
Alternative 2 Map
Alternative 3 Map
Alternative 4 Map
Alternative 5 Map
The public comment period for the DEIS ended on March 16, 2009. SAC will keep a summary of the
alternatives on this website until the Final EIS is published.
The Draft EIS is 459 pages long.
General summary of the 5 alternatives:
Alternative 1 - No action. Does not prohibit cross-country motorized travel. Allows use of 1109 miles of
inventoried routes.
Alternative 2 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 284 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, and adds one 36-acre area in Sly Cr. for motorized travel.
Alternative 3 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, and adds no additional roads and trails. The
Wilderness Society proposes "Citizens Inventoried Roadless Areas" under this alternative.
Alternative 4 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 139 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, and changes 11.3 miles to mixed-use vehicle class.
Alternative 5 - Prohibits cross-country motorized travel, adds 172 miles of non-system motorized roads
and trails, adds one 36-acre area in Sly Cr. for motorized travel, and changes 11.3 miles to mixed-use
vehicle class.
Click on these links to download a .pdf map of each alternative:
Alternative 1 Map
Alternative 2 Map
Alternative 3 Map
Alternative 4 Map
Alternative 5 Map
SAC Fundraiser
SAC is selling notecards at duPont Power Tool in Quincy (see the rack near the back of the store),
featuring photography of local forest scenes. 100% of the proceeds from the sales will go to support
SAC's efforts, and to fund our non-profit incorporation with the State of California and IRS which will
enable us to apply for grant funding to maintain our routes. It will also help pay for any litgation, if
we are forced to go that route.
You can make a donation or buy notecards with PayPal on this website (click here)
Special thanks to Teryl Schwartz for his work and donations to produce these beautiful cards for us!
SAC is selling notecards at duPont Power Tool in Quincy (see the rack near the back of the store),
featuring photography of local forest scenes. 100% of the proceeds from the sales will go to support
SAC's efforts, and to fund our non-profit incorporation with the State of California and IRS which will
enable us to apply for grant funding to maintain our routes. It will also help pay for any litgation, if
we are forced to go that route.
You can make a donation or buy notecards with PayPal on this website (click here)
Special thanks to Teryl Schwartz for his work and donations to produce these beautiful cards for us!
| to read an editorial written by Mike Lazzarino in the 2/18/09 issue of the Plumas County newspapers ("From Where I Stand".) Mike was also on the radio on Jan. 27, 2009 talking about the DEIS. Click here for a summary of the program. |
| Plumas NF DEIS The comment period for the Plumas Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) ended March 16, 2009. The final EIS has been delayed numerous times, and the latest date set to be March 2010. SAC volunteers submitted 193 pages of comments and supporting documentation to the Forest Service. Click here to see copies of the comments: SAC Comment Letter to Plumas NF Exhibit 1 - List of deleted routes Exhibit 1.1 - Map of Routes Proposed in Alternative 6 (SAC's "Green Alternative") Exhibit 2 - Accessibility for DIsabled and Elderly Exhibit 3 - Letter from CHP regarding California Vehicle Code Applicability to Level 3 Forest Service Roads |
Photo by Richard McCutcheon
SAC's PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE 6 FOR THE PLUMAS NF (The "Green Alternative")
SAC believes that the Forest Service didn't give the public the choice of an alternative in the DEIS
that addresses fixing resource damage that's left behind on routes that aren't designated. Examples
are routes that go through wet meadows, creeks, archaeological sites, and other sensitive areas.
These areas need repair. IF damage was caused by OHVs, there should be a plan to deal with this
damage and now is the time to come up with a plan. It would be irresponsible for the Forest Service
to turn their backs on the damage and allow it to fester. SAC wants to work with the Forest Service to
manage the land responsibly.
Click here to see what SAC submitted to the Forest Service as a guideline to develop Alternative 6
SAC believes that the Forest Service didn't give the public the choice of an alternative in the DEIS
that addresses fixing resource damage that's left behind on routes that aren't designated. Examples
are routes that go through wet meadows, creeks, archaeological sites, and other sensitive areas.
These areas need repair. IF damage was caused by OHVs, there should be a plan to deal with this
damage and now is the time to come up with a plan. It would be irresponsible for the Forest Service
to turn their backs on the damage and allow it to fester. SAC wants to work with the Forest Service to
manage the land responsibly.
Click here to see what SAC submitted to the Forest Service as a guideline to develop Alternative 6
Bulldog
CAMPERS!
The Forest Service proposals
say that dispersed camping (that
is, camping outside of developed
campgrounds) will be restricted.
The public will be limited to
driving their vehicles ONE
VEHICLE LENGH off a designated
route to go camping. If you’re
driving a train, maybe it’s no big
deal. But for the rest of us, it
limits us from driving to the
campsites that we and our
families have historically used
for years.
If you agree that this is an
unreasonable restriction, you
may be interested in looking at
this petition. It’s authored by
Melba Ray-Leal of Placerville and
it protests the restriction that is
being proposed. You can click
on this link, get additional
signatures if you want, then mail
the petition to Melba. Her
address is on the bottom of the
petition.
Signature Petition
Defintion of the One
Vehicle Length Petition
The Forest Service proposals
say that dispersed camping (that
is, camping outside of developed
campgrounds) will be restricted.
The public will be limited to
driving their vehicles ONE
VEHICLE LENGH off a designated
route to go camping. If you’re
driving a train, maybe it’s no big
deal. But for the rest of us, it
limits us from driving to the
campsites that we and our
families have historically used
for years.
If you agree that this is an
unreasonable restriction, you
may be interested in looking at
this petition. It’s authored by
Melba Ray-Leal of Placerville and
it protests the restriction that is
being proposed. You can click
on this link, get additional
signatures if you want, then mail
the petition to Melba. Her
address is on the bottom of the
petition.
Signature Petition
Defintion of the One
Vehicle Length Petition
Click here for a copy of a letter from several congressmen (including Herger and McClintock) sent to the
Chief of the Forest Service voicing concerns over the Travel Management process on the Plumas,
Lassen, and other National Forests in California. Thanks to Sylvia Milligan of Recreation Outdoors
Coalition for her hard work and a trip to Washington D.C. to voice the opinions of local people.
Chief of the Forest Service voicing concerns over the Travel Management process on the Plumas,
Lassen, and other National Forests in California. Thanks to Sylvia Milligan of Recreation Outdoors
Coalition for her hard work and a trip to Washington D.C. to voice the opinions of local people.
` |
Volunteers are working with Sierra Access Coalition.
Click here to see what volunteers are doing to help
Click here to see what volunteers are doing to help
LASSEN NF FINAL EIS DETAILS
The Lassen NF has released their Final Environmental Impact Statement for Route Designation.
There was a new modified alternative developed after the Draft EIS public comment period.
Click here for more information on the Lassen Final Environmental Impact Statement
Click here to view Recreation Outdoors Coalition's response to the Lassen FEIS
Click here for Sierra Access Coalition's response to the Lassen FEIS
The Lassen NF has released their Final Environmental Impact Statement for Route Designation.
There was a new modified alternative developed after the Draft EIS public comment period.
Click here for more information on the Lassen Final Environmental Impact Statement
Click here to view Recreation Outdoors Coalition's response to the Lassen FEIS
Click here for Sierra Access Coalition's response to the Lassen FEIS
| SHARED TRAIL ETIQUETTE AWARENESS Click here for information on shared trails |
The Plumas EIS has been delayed again. It is not
expected to be released until March or April.
expected to be released until March or April.
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) supports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s
recommendation to Congress to give the agency more flexibility to grant exclusions from the lead
content limit to address certain products, including youth OHVs. The CPSC requested this flexibility in its
January 15 report to Congress containing recommendations to improve the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA). Click here for more information
recommendation to Congress to give the agency more flexibility to grant exclusions from the lead
content limit to address certain products, including youth OHVs. The CPSC requested this flexibility in its
January 15 report to Congress containing recommendations to improve the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA). Click here for more information
Chadd Burroughs passed away Feb. 3, 2010 in a
freak accident. Chadd was a founding member of
Sierra Access Coalition's steering committee and
a diligent contributor to the cause. Chadd will be
missed by all who knew him.
"Ride on Chadd"
freak accident. Chadd was a founding member of
Sierra Access Coalition's steering committee and
a diligent contributor to the cause. Chadd will be
missed by all who knew him.
"Ride on Chadd"
IN MEMORY OF CHADD