News Releases

For Immediate Release: Feb. 1, 2006 � � � � �
Contact: Sky Zaffarano (530) 224-2100 or Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-06-23

�BLM ACQUIRES MORE RIDING GROUND AT CHAPPIE-SHASTA OHV AREA

Off-highway-vehicle enthusiasts from northern California and southern Oregon have more room to play at the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area near Redding, following the Bureau of Land Management's purchase of 92 acres of private land within the 52,000-acre OHV area.

The purchase, funded by a grant from the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, included about a mile of the popular and challenging Lemurian Chute Trail, which is well known by local riders.

"This purchase will provide more access for dirt bike and ATV riders and enable us to improve maintenance of the entire trail system. It improves the connectivity of the trails, reducing private land trespass issues," said Sky Zaffarano, an outdoor recreation planner with the BLM's Redding Field Office. "This acquisition will help us meet the growing demand for off-roading opportunities."

Steve Bates, president of the Redding Dirt Riders Club, expressed satisfaction with the acquisition. "The Dirt Riders are always in support of protecting, improving and expanding off-highway vehicle opportunities, and we support the BLM in these efforts," he said.

Zaffarano said the BLM will continue working in partnership with other agencies, local groups and both the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and the OHMVR Commission to acquire lands from willing sellers, and to improve riding opportunities and natural resource protection in the OHV area north of Redding.