Plans For Some CA Forests May Create Foul Drinking Water

SONORA, Calif. - "Don't drink the water!" That's the possible warning if more California forestland is opened for off-road use, according to conservation groups. As the state's national forests begin to submit plans for managing their roads and trails in response to a travel management rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they're being asked to close old, obsolete forests roads and illegal off-road paths.

Jon Sturtevant, a representative of the Sierra Club's Tuolumne Group, says the outdated forest road systems are falling apart and clouding the rivers that are key to clean drinking water supplies.

"There might be an illegal road crossing a stream. Every time they drive across it, it stirs up sediment, which messes up the water downstream from there, which affects the fish. And ultimately, it affects the water that people in our county drink."

Stan Van Velsor, off-road vehicle campaign coordinator for The Wilderness Society, says the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) doesn't have the budget to maintain its existing roads, and adding more roads and trails also adds more noise and disturbance for people and wildlife.

"If we don't have more controlled access of off-road vehicles and stronger enforcement, then opportunities for experiencing quiet, non-polluting forms of recreation on the Stanislaus National Forest will slowly disappear."

Stanislaus National Forest managers recently submitted their plan; it includes reopening forest roads that formerly had been closed, as well as adding 137 miles of additional off-road trails. While Sturtevant believes there's room for all types of recreation in the area, he feels USFS should adopt a more balanced approach.