Eldorado National Forest

Welcome

Forest Service Lifts Seasonal Closure of Designated Dirt Roads and Trails April 16

Designated dirt roads and trails in the Eldorado National Forest reopened to motorized use on April 16, ending the wet weather seasonal closure that began on January 1. The Forest Service closed these routes to protect water quality, prevent erosion, and reduce damage to roads and trails.

• News Release- Lifting Seasonal Closure (pdf)
• Process for Recommending Extensions for Travel Management Seasonal Closure (pdf)

Motor Vehicle Travel News

• Having completed our Travel Management project, information and future activities regarding motor vehicle travel can be found on the new Vehicle Travel page under Recreation.
• The new Motor Vehicle Use Maps with the updated legal system roads are now available by web on the Vehicle Travel page or hardcopies can be obtained at our Districts' and Supervisor's Offices. There are four different maps; one for each district.

Day Use Fees At Some Boatramp Facilities

The Eldorado National Forest has entered into a new Special Use Permit for campground and related Granger-Thye concessions with American Land and Leisure. The new permit includes operations of concession run campgrounds on the Pacific Ranger District, the Georgetown Ranger District, and the Placerville Ranger District.

As a result of this new permit, the concession operator, American Land and Leisure, will be maintaining the boat ramps, adjacent parking areas, and some day use areas. As authorized in the Special Use Permit, the concession operator will be charging a $6.00 day use fee, effective January, 2009.

If you have questions about the new fees, you may contact: American Land and Leisure at 530-293-0827, Pacific Ranger District at 530-644-2349, or Georgetown Ranger District at 530-333-4312.

• Response to Questions Regarding the New Day Use Fees - Pat Trimble, Georgetown District Ranger (pdf)

The 20th Annual Kids Fishing Derby Is On June 13

Kids 12 and under are welcome to join forest staff on June 13 at Lake Walton in Georgetown for the 20th Annual Fishing Derby. Besides the fun fishing, there will be a casting contest, refreshments, a visit by Smokey Bear, and other activities.

• Fishing Derby flyer (pdf)

El Dorado and Amador County Resource Advisory Committees

The US Forest Service is creating two 15-member Resource Advisory Committees (RAC) that will evaluate and recommend projects and funding to improve Eldorado National Forest watersheds and facilities. One RAC will recommend projects in El Dorado County and the other will recommend projects in Amador County. The advisory committees will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and will represent a wide variety of interests. For more information check out the web page link below.

• Resource Advisory Committee web page

The ENFIA Forest Store Is Online Now!

The Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association has opened a new outlet online. Check it out for books, clothing, maps, Smokey Bear merchandise, and toys. Keep checking back because they will be adding additional merchandise over time.

• The ENFIA Forest) Store

Prescribed Burning Update

• Pile burning - various locations on the forest
• Fuels Project page

Prescribed burning begins after the rains have thoroughly dampened the forest floor and will continue throughout the winter months. The timing of the actual ignition of a prescribed burn project depends on weather conditions, moisture in the fuels we intend to burn, our ability to control the fires, and permission from the local air pollution control district.

Link For Current Incidents

Normally incidents, like wildfires, that are under Forest Service jurisdiction are usually posted on Inciweb (www.inciweb.org). This site houses web pages for Forest Service incidents from all over the nation. Note: small fires may not be placed in Inciweb.