The Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest has begun a planning process that will eventually lead to a Winter Recreation Plan. The District comprises the area around Bear Valley on Highway 4 and contains two Wilderness areas, several Near Natural areas, two Sno-Parks, a downhill ski resort, a cross-country ski resort, a backcountry outfitter, a snowmobile rental service, several residence areas, a hotel, and shops, all contained within a relatively small area.
To assist the Forest Service in this process, a group of stakeholders has formed a citizen's advisory group called the Winter Recreation Coalition. The group includes local residents, homeowners, businesses, and government representatives along with snowmobilers, skiers, and environmentalists. Snowlands is participating in the Coalition. The group met in November 2005 and has scheduled monthly meetings throughout the winter season 2005-2006. The mission of the group is to
"Update and re-evaluate current winter recreation policies with representation of all known user groups."
The current winter recreation policies in the District are a result of a planning process that was begun 10 years ago but abandonded before being completed. There was a group of stakeholders giving input to the Forest Service then, and they reached consensus on closing four areas within the District to over-the-snow vehicles: Round Valley, Jelmini Basin, Bear Trap Basin, and Pacific Valley. However, the Forest Supervisor only issued a Closure Order for Round Valley. Therefore, while the other areas are still closed to vehicles and shown as closed on the Ebbets Pass Winter Recreation Guide, it is not illegal for vehicles to enter those areas. A digital photo of the winter recreation map may be accessed here (484kb).
This situation, which is confusing to all visitors, is among the issues the Forest Service wishes to remedy by the completion of a Winter Recreation Plan.
Local residents and homeowners are concerned how the effect of increased snowmobiling on the surrounding public lands will affect the peace and safety of their neighborhoods. Homeowners in Bear Valley Village are concerned that additional restrictions on snowmobiling in the Forest will drive more vehicles onto their streets.
Snowmobilers are hoping to open some of the Near Natural areas to legal snowmobiling while retaining their currently-used areas. Skiers, on the other hand, are hoping that the snowmobilers will agree to one or more additional non-motorized areas and non-motorized trails while preserving the current non-motorized area in Round Valley. Environmentalists are concerned about opening any Near Natural areas to vehicle use.
All groups are concerned about the enforcement of the District's policies.
The Winter Recreation Coalition wants to make sure that all interests are considered in the new plan, but needs to keep the number of people involved to a managable level. If you would like to provide input to the group, you may contact Snowlands' representative, Jim Gibson, who will convey your concerns to the full group and put you in touch with a representative member of the coalition.
If you would like to contact the Forest Service about the Winter Recreation Plan, please contact:
Patti Clarey
Calaveras Ranger District
P. O. Box 500
Hathaway Pines, CA 95233
(209)795-1381
The organizations participating in the Winter Recreation Coalition include:
Bear Valley Residents, Inc.
Bear Valley Cross Country
Mountain Adventure Seminars
Bear Valley Snowmobile
Bear Valley Snowmobile Club
California Nevada Snowmobile Association
Snowlands Network
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Ski Touring Section
Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center
Alpine County
Calaveras County