Current Projects

At any one time, Snowlands Network is engaged in a number of projects that cover a wide range of lands and activities that have the potential to affect backcountry, human-powered, winter sports. For example:

• Our greatest efforts currently focus on the implementation of the Forest Service Travel Rule, which was updated in 2015 and now requires that all National Forests with adequate snow for over snow vehicle recreation designate where OSVs are allowed to go. Stanislaus NF has published their plan, and we are waiting for the plans from Plumas, Lassen, Tahoe, and Eldorado. We are also monitoring plans under development by Inyo and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
• We are following several slow-moving management projects such as the proposed Mt Rose ski area expansion, the snowmobile management plan for Giant Sequoia National Monument and the on-going problems of congestion and mixed motorized and non-motorized recreation at Tahoe Meadows.

List of Current Projects

Lands Monitoring. Snowlands Network, through its lands monitoring project, provides an easy method for anyone to report trespass, winter related conflicts and environmental damage. >>> More

Rubicon Trail. Rampant abuse of this historic jeep trail has resulted in impacts to the environment that includes sedimentation and the discharge of petroleum products and human waste into streams and lakes. The use of these vehicles in winter ruin the Polaris Ski (and Snowshoe) Trail for others. A decision by the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board on April 23, 2009 affirmed our position and requires the Forest Service and El Dorado County to improve the management of the trail. Snowlands is now in a mode of monitoring progress on development and implementation of new management practices. >>> More

Quiet Quadrant. This project is part of Snowlands Network’s participation in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit planning process. Snowlands combined their Martis Peak (Brockway Summit) and Tahoe Meadows (Mt. Rose Highway) projects, with a new project at Spooner Summit, to create the Quiet Quadrant project that aims to bring to the Tahoe Basin a balance between motorized and non-motorized winter recreation opportunities. >>> More

Alpine County Winter Recreation Project. The adoption of the Alpine County WRP by the Forest Service, a result of 17 years of work by Snowlands and its predecessor to establish a winter, non-motorized designation for the Forestdale Creek area east of Carson Pass on Highway 88, brings us to the next phase that includes implementation, monitoring and enforcement. >>> More

Anderson Ridge Non-Motorized Winter Recreation Area. Five years of working with the snowmobile community, the Forest Service and the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division ended late in 2008 when representatives from the California Nevada Snowmobile Association stated that they had no intention to continue to negotiate a mutually beneficial plan that included the creation of a non-motorize winter recreation area on Highway 88 between Foster Meadow Road and Mormon Emigrant Trail (Road). Simultaneously the new District Ranger displayed absolutely zero interest in proactive management of winter recreation. Snowlands is considering new strategies. >>> More

Giant Sequoia National Monument. President Clinton’s Presidential Proclamation creating Giant Sequoia National Monument included strict controls over the use of motor vehicles, including snowmobiles, in the park. Snowlands is following the management planning process for the park to make sure that the motor vehicle requirements are strictly followed. >>> More

Kirkwood Power Line. The Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District desires to replace their diesel generators with a powerline that will bring in “grid power” to the ski resort on Highway 88. This project would reduce air pollution, but would dramatically impact the visual beauty of the area if not done appropriately. >>> More

Yellowstone National Park. The National Park Service under the Clinton Administration determined that the best management of Yellowstone required that the use of snowmobiles be phased out and the use of snow-coaches be expanded. The Bush Administration did additional studies until their third one concluded that snowmobile use was okay. This is a national issue that Snowlands deems critical because political power was used to shape how our first national park should be managed as opposed to letting science speak for itself. >>> More