Plans For Massive Mountain Bike Trail System Were Popular. Why Was It Nixed?
Lemon Gulch, the 52-mile trail system in the Ochoco National Forest, initially met with huge support from the community and nearby areas but was recently withdrawn from consideration by the United States Forest Service (USFS).
Plans for the system had been in development for years, but on April 26th, the district ranger’s office published the final environmental assessment essentially banning the project from moving forward.
According to the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA), the Lemon Gulch trail system was one piece of a master plan by the Ochoco Trails coalition aimed at increasing non-motorized trail opportunities in the Ochoco National Forest. One of the main objectives was to relieve user conflicts on existing trails.
The Forest Service's 1990 forest management plan calls for 468 miles of non-motorized trails on the 850,000-acre forest. Currently, there are only 156 miles of trails (33 percent of the original plan), and mountain bikes can only access 112 of those miles (24 percent).
Singletracks reports that the USFS received more than 820 comments from the public, and a “large proportion of the comments were in support of the project,” however in a press release, the Ochoco National Forest said some individuals felt they were not considered during the planning process, despite the agency’s multiple attempts to gather public input.
Much of the opposition came from residents of Prineville who were concerned about how such a large trail network and the increase in visitors would impact the town. Singletracks reports that Prineville residents formed a Facebook group called Don’t Bend Prineville, referencing Bend, Oregon, inferring that they don’t want Prineville to be a hub for outdoor recreation the way Bend is. Other opponents’ concerns were centered around how the trails may impact cattle grazing.
But, ask anyone in Bentonville, Arkansas and they’ll tell you mountain biking trails are good for local businesses, good for the community, and good for morale. Especially in a small town like Prineville that has experienced decline over the years.
COTA posted their disappointment on social media saying, “COTA is extremely dismayed by the Forest Service’s decision. Although around 75 percent of public comments supported the project (a *huge* margin by today’s standards), the Forest Service capitulated to a few special interests that opposed the project.”
In a statement, Emmy Andrews, COTA’s Executive Director said, “This is a huge blow to mountain bikers, to our relationship with the Forest Service, and to the future of multi-stakeholder collaboration.”
According to Central Oregon Daily, District Ranger Slater Turner said the Ochoco National Forest will look for opportunities in the future to have a broader community conversation about non-motorized trails on the Forest. But for now, no new trails, and no opportunity for growth.
You Might Also Like
