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
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 Working on Environmental Impact Statement

The Plumas NF is starting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Off-Highway
Vehicle (OHV) Route Designation - Travel Management project.  This phase consists of developing the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)  This project is part of a nationwide USFS process to authorize
OHV use on trails, roads and other areas.  It is important to note that the term "OHV" include any type of
motorized vehicle, including pickup trucks.  

Click below to see the Proposed Action Maps:    (Note: You may want to save these maps on your hard
drive for faster access)

Mt Hough District Map
Beckwourth District Map
Feather River Map

For your convenience, these maps are also on display at duPont Power Tool in Quincy.

The USFS is proposing 370 miles are in addition to the 107 miles of motorized system trails that
currently exist on the Plumas NF.  In addition to motorized routes, there also 4120 miles of system roads
on the Plumas NF which have always been available for motorized use.  Of the 4120 miles that have
historically been open to all vehicles, 636 miles of systems roads are now proposed to be restricted to
street legal vehicles only.

Although there are still some points of disagreement, the USFS is actually listening to Sierra Access
Coalition and adding SAC members' routes to the Plumas NF proposed plan.  This is a remarkable
achievement.  The Plumas may well have the best plan in California, thanks to the hard work of the SAC
Steering Committee and SAC members.

A number of issues haven't been worked out yet, such as allowing use of Level 3 roads by Green
Sticker vehicles for loops and other destinations.  The California Highway Patrol came out with a letter
to the USFS that said the California Vehicle Code does not apply to Level 3 roads, but the Plumas NF
appears to be ignoring that determination and proposing to restrict green sticker vehicles on these
roads anyway.  Another issue of great concern is the distance a vehicle will be allowed to drive off a
designated route for dispersed camping, particularly for campsites in the forest that families have used
for generations.  SAC wants to see Plumas County family heritage preserved.  Using a vehicle to
retrieve game is also still a point of contention.

SAC is in regular contact with the Forest Service and will keep you informed as things progress
through the EIS process.  

         Help Us Recruit New Members

         Encourage your friends to join SAC.  There is an incredible amount of power in numbers.  The USFS is
        listening to us.  The more members we have, the stronger our voice will be.  We have over 865 members
        and our goal is to get 1000 members which would give us more power during the EIS process.

    Ask For Your Routes

    Check the Plumas NF Proposed Action Route Designation Maps (see the link at the top of this
    website).  If you see that some of the routes you asked for aren't being proposed, send the
    information about your route to SAC as soon as possible.  Include all the information you can about
    why you want the route (for example: fishing, hunting, camping, etc), what type of an area it
    accesses, photographs if you have them, etc.  If the route is reasonable and environmentally
    sound, SAC will carry the request forward to the USFS again.  Your route information can be emailed
    to SAC at sierraaccess@digitalpath.net or it can be sent to SAC, PO Box 944, Quincy CA 95971, or
    faxed to (530) 283-2027.

    We can't stress enough how important it is for you to submit your routes to SAC.  It's alot of work,
    but if you don't submit your routes you will likely lose the right to use them.   SAC is working with the
    USFS to keep your routes open but you need to let us know which routes you want.  If you need
    help writing up your route information, email one of the SAC steering committee members listed
    above for help.



Photo by
Richard
McCutcheon
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.

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!  
Spokesman Mike Lazzarino was on the radio February 14 discussing OHV Route Designation.  
Click here for a summary of the radio show.
We are looking for volunteers with jeep-type vehicles to help on a project.  Click here for more
information