News Release

For Release: August 20, 2008
Contacts: Jeff Fontana (BLM) (530) 252-5332; Jodi Marron STNF (530) 226-2595       
BLM-CA-N-08-83

OHV Area Will Be Closed For Fire Restoration Work

The Chappie-Shasta Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area northwest of Redding will be closed at least until next spring while areas damaged during the Motion Fire are stabilized and repaired.

Officials from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Shasta Trinity National Forest, agencies that jointly manage the OHV area, said the closure is necessary while crews and heavy equipment work to stabilize fire lines, clear blocked culverts, repair trails and replace burned bridges.  Crews must also take down trees that are in danger of falling and replace structures that block access to abandoned mines.

The closure will affect the Forest Service and BLM-managed parts of the OHV area.

"We know the closure will inconvenience motorcyclists and four wheelers, but we have to close the area for public safety and to protect the area while the vegetation re-grows," said Steve Anderson, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office.  "We would like to re-open the area by early April, but the date will depend on how quickly we can complete the restoration actions prescribed by the Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team, the severity of winter impacts on roads and trails, and how quickly the vegetation recovers.  We will work closely with OHV user groups to reopen the area as soon as possible."

Kristy Cottini, district ranger for the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, said she concurs with the BLM’s assessment of the situation and said restoration progress will be closely monitored.

"We want to be sure that re-opening the area is neither premature nor unnecessarily delayed," Cottini said. "It will really depend a lot on the weather and how long it will take to mitigate the safety concerns."

The Shasta Campground will be included in the closure area.  The Sacramento River Rail Trail will remain open for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.  Hiking and mountain biking trails on the east side of the Sacramento River including the Ditch Trails system and Hornbeck Trail, will remain open.

Covering 52,000 acres, the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway area offers 200 miles of roads and trails for off-road enthusiasts.  The area is west of the Sacramento River between Shasta Dam and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

More information on fire rehabilitation work and alternate riding opportunities during the temporary closure is available from Sky Zaffarano at the BLM Redding Field Office, (530) 224-2100.

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