Forest open to off-roaders

Eldorado National Forest, west of Lake Tahoe and one of the busiest recreation areas in the Sierra Nevada, must close 700 miles of trails carved by off-road vehicles, a federal judge has ruled.

A lawsuit by three environmental groups contends that forest managers failed to comply with environmental laws when, in 1990, they designated hundreds of miles of trails for off-road-vehicle use.

In his May 9 ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton nevertheless allowed an additional 2,245 miles of trails to remain open pending completion of a Forest Service environmental analysis.

The decision pleased both conservationists and off-roaders. According to Karen Schambach of the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation, the ruling will help stem erosion and reduce disturbance to wildlife on trails most heavily affected by off-roaders.

And although off-road enthusiasts wanted none of the trails closed, according to Don Klusman of the California Assn. of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, the group believes Karlton accommodated their needs by leaving much of the park open to off-roaders.

The judge gave the Forest Service a month to propose a schedule for an environmental review of off-road use.

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-- Scott Doggett