Projects & Plans
Rock Creek Recreational Trails Area
Off Highway Vehicle Mixed Use Re-Designation
Project Description:
The purpose of this federal action is to improve the Off-Highway Vehicle recreation
management in the Rock Creek Recreational Trails area. The mixed use re-designation
contributes toward accomplishment of the Eldorado National Forest’s Land and Resource
Management Plan objectives because it provides logical connections of OHV designated
routes on National Forest System lands and promotes OHV riders compliance with
motorized vehicle restrictions and state and federal regulations.
Currently, OHV riders are using the Mace Mill Road, a short segment of the Rock Creek
Road and the 0.4 mile segment of the Ballarat Canyon Road. Because of state law
prohibiting the use of OHVs on roads with paved surfaces (roads fitting the California
Vehicle Code definition of a highway), the use of OHVs on a portion of the Mace Mill
Road and portions of the Rock Creek Road is illegal. The use of OHVs on the segment
of the Ballarat Canyon Road is not illegal according to state law (this road has a native
surface), but conflicts with the designation of the Record of Decision, which specified the
road for use by highway legal vehicles and not OHVs.
The California Vehicle Code does provide for the designation of roads with combined
use (also referred to as mixed use with federal agencies), where highway legal vehicles
and off-highway vehicles can use the same road segments provided that certain
conditions are met and the California Highway Patrol Commissioner does not determine
that the designation would create a potential traffic safety hazard.
Background:
See the Environmental Assessment for background.
Location:
The Rock Creek area encompasses approximately 23,600 acres of public lands centered about five miles to the southeast of the town of Georgetown, CA.
Project Documents:
Note: Adobe Reader 5.0 or above is required to read the PDF documents. Available as a free download from www.adobe.com. The Environmental Assessment is bookmarked for ease of use.
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