Over the past summer, after receiving suggestions from OHV users, the Forest Service in Lake Tahoe began a dialogue with local agencies, interest groups and individuals about the quality of OHV experiences and how to maintain our OHV trails within the Tahoe Basin. Improving OHV signing, parking for trailers and involving the OHV community in the planning, management and maintenance of trails were top priorities identified as a result of the dialogue.

As a result of these discussions, the Forest Service and Group Leaders representing the BlueRibbon Coalition, California Off Road Vehicle Association, Cal 4-Wheel Drive Association and Local OHV Clubs came together to identify opportunities for a broader OHV collaboration to improve those user experiences. Through preliminary dialogue, this group identified a need to widen the conversation with OHV enthusiasts and other key stakeholders, and is interested in hearing your thoughts about the OHV programs in Lake Tahoe. The OHV Groups, in partnership with the Forest Service, are coming to you, the users, enthusiasts, volunteers and experts.

At this point, the groups are not asking the Forest Service to expand or close the current designated system of trails and roads that are open to OHVs, nor is there any particular project in mind. Rather, the groups are looking for specific ideas on how to improve the quality of the existing OHV opportunities, protect resources, improve signing, and develop a maintenance structure/system in order to create a more sustainable network of motorized trails.

To help assist in this effort the Forest Service has offered to establish an email inbox located at –
comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us – to receive your comments. Please use the subject “LTBMU OHV Input”.  You may send us your ideas at any time, but it would be most helpful if your feedback is received by January 15, 2016 to be included in the discussions during the proposed open house meetings early next year. The groups and the agency hope that your feedback will be detailed and will include both programmatic suggestions as well as ideas about needs at specific locations. Again, the groups — by creating this forum with support from the Forest Service — hope this effort will generate some great ideas that the Forest Service and the OHV community can work on together to improve the OHV experience in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Forest Service is also nearing the start of winter recreation travel planning efforts in Lake Tahoe and may use a similar approach to engage users and stakeholders. Stay tuned for opportunities to provide feedback on that topic as well.

LINK TO FS/OHV GROUP JOINT OUTREACH LETTER

Thanks for taking time to help enhance quality OHV recreation in the Lake Tahoe area!
-BlueRibbon Coalition