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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Tahoe Forest Advocates Take Action

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Thursday, October 4, 2012   

Public land advocates are taking legal action to uphold a U.S. Forest Service plan that keeps motor vehicles out of sensitive natural areas in the Tahoe National Forest. The groups argue it is crucial to keep motor vehicles on the 2,000 miles of designated roads and trails in order to prevent further environmental damage.

Barbara Rivenes is the forestry chair with the Motherlode Chapter of the Sierra Club. She lives in Nevada City near the Tahoe Forest and says she's seen the damage motor vehicles can make.

"It is a big forest - and that's one of our points, actually. To change the whole travel management plan because some trails were not included is a very serious proposition for those of us who do use the forest."

The conservation and recreation groups say the off-road vehicles destroy the vegetation, erode streambeds and threaten wildlife in sensitive areas. Off-road vehicle users claim the forest is big enough for everyone.

Stan Van Velsor, regional conservation representative with The Wilderness Society, says limited U.S. Forest Service funding has already made it a challenge to maintain the 2,000 miles of designated roads in the new Tahoe plan.

"That increases the potential of erosion. It also results in the inability of a lot of recreationists to use the roads to get to the places where they want to recreate."

Earthjustice attorney Christopher Hudak, who filed the motion to intervene, says it's crucial to take action now.

"If they can undo this bit of progress in Tahoe National Forest, then other national forests across California and the rest of the country will be vulnerable to the same threat of unlimited off-road vehicle traffic."

In 2010, the Tahoe National Forest approved a travel managment plan that included some 2,000 miles of roads, 385 miles of trails and 244 acres of play areas open to motor vehicles. This summer, several off-road clubs sued the forest service to overturn the managment plan.






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