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[RC] Press Release on Mountain Bikes - Steven Proe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL MEDIA
From: EQUESTRIAN TRAIL RIDERS CALIFORNIA
STATE HORSEMAN'S
P.O. BOX 1126
ASSOCIATION, REGION II
OROVILLE, CA 95965 3992 Hwy 99W
Orland, CA 95963
Contacts: Annette Kolkey
cell:(530) 526-BARN <2276>
Cathy Hodges
(530) 533-0698
LOCATION: OROVILLE, CA
SUBJECT: "FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC) DENIES MTN. BIKE USE
ON OROVILLE'S HISTORIC RIDING/HIKING TRAILS"
STORY AS FOLLOWS:
Trail user groups at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area are celebrating
the return of Lake Oroville's historic equestrian and hiking trails to their
traditional uses. The few trails designated for equestrians and hikers
exclusive use had been converted to add mountain bikers. The public, local
equestrians and other concerned parties call this reversal in policy
disallowing mountain bikes from these trails a step in the right direction
for those wanting safe trails and adherence to a public decision-making
process.
Discussions of trail use have come up again as California Department of
Water Resources (DWR) applies for a renewal of its license to operate the
Oroville Dam facilities. DWR delegates the management of the recreational
resources to California Department of State Parks (DPR).
In the spring of 2002, then California State Parks Superintendent, Katherine
Foley, had issued an order adding mountain bike use to the local
riding/hiking trails. ORAC, the Oroville Recreational Advisory Committee,
involved in the relicensing process, filed a complaint with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), noting the lack of public notice or
public involvement in this decision. ORAC also objected to the failure of
DWR to consult with ORAC as required by a 1994 FERC order, before allowing
State Parks to implement such a major change at the Lake Oroville
recreational facilities.
Former DPR Superintendent Foley, when asked if public meetings were held,
justified her actions by stating, "Public hearings tend to be unproductive."
She finished by adding "We wanted it to be a more professional decision
making process." Besides thwarting the public review process, DPR exempted
itself from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and failed to
file for approval of the regulatory change with the Office of Administrative
Law.
In spite of ORAC's concerns and user group complaints, DPR went forward,
modifying the 50-year-old single-track trails, mechanically widening the
pathway, removing trees along with other natural obstacles, for multi-use
purposes.
FERC, the federal agency responsible for licensing DWR's operation of the
Oroville Dam facility, directed DWR to restore the historic riding/hiking
trails to their original use designation, as described in their approved
1994 Recreation Plan. In an attempt to ratify DPR's unilateral conversion of
the exclusive equestrian/hiking trails, DWR instead filed an after-the-fact
application for an amendment to expand mountain bike use in their Recreation
Plan. In response to that action, ORAC and other citizens groups filed
formal Motions to Intervene in the FERC amendment application process.
In their order denying DWR's requested amendment, FERC states: "The approved
recreation plan for the Feather River Project includes a variety of trails
that are designated for various types of uses. These trails offer
recreational opportunities for equestrians, hikers, and mountain bicyclists,
and the user-specific nature of the trail designations helps minimize safety
concerns and user conflicts between competing trail users."
The federal agency continued by stating, "[C]onverting the trail to multiple
use (with bicycles sharing the trail) would adversely change the
recreational experience for equestrian users primarily because it would
increase the potential user conflicts and necessitate more trail maintenance
and modifications to accommodate the multiple uses."
# # # # #
Note: FERC Order P-2100-119 August 17, 2004 is attached in pdf format with
electronic transmissions.
FERC Order P-2100-119 August 17, 2004 is available on line at:
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=4228881
ADDITIONALCONTACT INFO:
OROVILLE RECREATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Kevin Zeitler, Chairman Wade Hough, Vice Chairman
P.O. BOX 528 P.O. BOX 787
Oroville, CA 95965 Oroville, CA 95968
(530) 533-0438 (530) 534-9817
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