The Lassen NF presented their Notice of Intent for the OHV Route Designation Process in public meetings on November 5, 7 and 8, 2007 in Redding, Chico and Susanville. Representatives of Sierra Access Coalition attended each meeting.

The Lassen OHV plan is extremely inadequate. They are only proposing approx. 27 miles of non-system roads for OHV use, plus approx. 10 miles for access to dispersed campsite access. The public and contractors mapped and submitted approx. 1200 miles of routes for consideration, but now only 37 miles are being proposed for designation. The mileage is concentrated in only 5 areas of the Lassen NF (see maps on the Lassen NF website). The other outlying areas have no non-system routes proposed for designation and all maintenance level 1 roads will stay closed. Remember, the term "OHV" now refers to pickups, cars, motorcycles, quads, and all other motorized vehicles.

The Lassen NF has spent 4 years of study, and countless dollars, on their plan. Sierra Access Coalition (SAC) cannot support this plan. It does not comply with the intent of the Final Rule published in the Federal Register, which is intended only to stop cross-country travel and resource damage caused by OHVs, while still allowing public use. It appears that the Lassen NF has taken OHV restrictions further than the Final Rule intends. If changes are not made, SAC plans to appeal the Lassen NF OHV plan.

The public has until November 23, 2007 to comment on this plan. It is crucial that the Lassen NF hears from the public on this issue. SAC will be commenting on behalf of it’s members, but it is important that individuals comment, too.

For more information and maps, see the Lassen NF OHV website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/proposed_action/index.php

Look at the maps. The red squares on the maps are the only areas that are proposed for OHV use. This is unacceptable. The Lassen NF needs to hear from the public. You must send your comments by November 23, 2007. Comments on specific routes are most valuable, but general comments are important as well.

Email comments can be sent directly to the Lassen NF at: ltmrd@fs.fed.us—and please cc a copy of your message to info@sierraaccess.com so we can keep track of the comments from our members.

Also, contact your County Board of Supervisors and let them know how Lassen NF is cutting your recreation needs. Local government has strong influence on this plan. The Lassen NF includes areas from 7 counties. Email addresses for county supervisors are listed below:

Lassen County Board of Supervisors: coadmin@co.lassen.ca.us

Plumas County Board of Supervisors: http://www.countyofplumas.com/board/index.htm

Butte County Board of Supervisors: http://www.buttecounty.net/Default.aspx?tabid=52

Tehama County Board of Supervisors: http://www.co.tehama.ca.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=33

Shasta County Board of Supervisors: http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/html/BOS/bos_index.htm

Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors: http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/bos/index.htm

Modoc County Board of Supervisors: http://www.infopeople.org/modoc/supes.html

For more information, contact Lassen NF officials: Allen Nosler at (530) 252-6637 or Brian Barns at (530) 252-6684.

As a side note, the Plumas is doing a good job on their route designation and they may be proposing over 400 miles for OHV use, which may be the best plan in California. We are hoping that the Lassen NF will follow suit and designate additional miles.

--Mike Lazzarino, Sierra Access Coalition