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Good news for hikers, equestrians and conservation groups - Ebike trail pilot postponed due to legal challenge

10/4/2024

From Marin Horse Council, Inc.
Good news for horseback riders and hikers
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=985912413574407&set=a.462653862566934
Marin Water's Trail Sharing Pilot, E-Bike Class 1 Trial postponed due to legal challenge
Following the Marin Water Board of Directors approval of the Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class I Trial programs on the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, Marin Water has been working diligently to prepare for implementation of both programs, which were set to begin this week.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, the California Native Plant Society, the Marin Audubon Society and the Marin Conservation League filed a lawsuit against Marin Water alleging that Marin Water failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in its adoption of these program and sought a temporary restraining order to stop Marin Water’s implementation of the Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class I Trial. On Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, the Marin County Superior Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order temporarily halting the initiation of these programs by Marin Water.

This means that the status quo rules remain in place on the Mt. Tam Watershed until the order is lifted or amended by the court.

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Below is Marin Water’s Statement in response to a Temporary Restraining Order issued Oct. 3, 2024, preventing the start of the District’s new Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class I Trial programs on the Mount Tamalpais Watershed:
Following the Marin Water Board of Directors approval of the Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class I Trial programs on the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, Marin Water has been working diligently to prepare for implementation of both programs, which were set to begin this week.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the California Native Plant Society, the Marin Audubon Society and the Marin Conservation League filed a lawsuit against Marin Water alleging that Marin Water failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in its adoption of these program and sought a temporary restraining order to stop Marin Water’s implementation of the Trail Sharing Pilot and E-Bike Class I Trial.

On Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, the Marin County Superior Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order temporarily halting the initiation of these programs by Marin Water. This means that the status quo rules remain in place on the Mt. Tam Watershed until the order is lifted or amended by the court.

While we are disappointed that our plans have been postponed, Marin Water respects the decision of Judge Andrew Sweet and will adhere to his direction to pause implementation of the programs. We request that all visitors to the watershed please adhere to the court’s order and follow all current posted watershed rules.

Marin Water believes that the planned pilot and trial programs were adopted in compliance with CEQA requirements and are thoughtful progressions in our adaptive management approach to recreational uses on the Mt. Tam Watershed, which is home to the source of the majority of our water supply and more than 1,000 species of plants and 400 species of wildlife.

Due to the pending litigation associated with this matter, Marin Water will not make further comment on the issues until there is new information to share.

https://www.marinwater.org/node/1218

Tahoe Nat'l Forest Stage 3 fire restrictions have been extended.

9/30/2024

Critical fire conditions continue across the Tahoe National Forest.
Effective today, Sept. 30, 2024 Stage 3 fire restrictions have been extended.
As a reminder, the following are prohibited:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Operating an internal combustion engine off paved, gravel or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, except within the Prosser Pits Developed Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats on a water surface.
Discharging a firearm.
Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Under these restrictions, recreationists to the Tahoe National Forest are still welcome to use portable cooking stoves, propane campfires or lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel.

View additional fire restrictions information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1207098.pdf

UPDATE: Death at Folsom Lake SRA results in improvements and signage

9/30/2024

IMPROVEMENTS/SIGNS IMPLEMENTED AT FOLSOM LAKE SRA BECAUSE OF TRAGIC ACCIDENT - DEDICATION TO KATIE HOEDT ON OCT. 5, 2024
In 2023, while officials from FLSRA told the media that they remove rope swings as they see them, Katie Hoedt's parents told them that they hope their daughter's death will ignite the need for signs warning of the danger. Had those been implemented before, "she would have never gotten on that rope swing," her mother Beth said.

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This note came from Andy Hoedt and the Hoedt family:
"It may be worth noting since her accident, we have worked with State Assemblyman McCarty and Parks (Chief Barry Smith as well as his manager, Mike), to develop the signs we spoke about originally. The temporary signs went up before Memorial Day this year, and I continue to push for permanent metal signs for next year (they stated they are working on that). The signs (A-frames) were set up at all entries and at boat ramps. I continue to speak with Boats and Waterways as well, to implement something similar at appropriate areas along the river. From there, I hope to push Parks for other locations across the state.

On Oct. 5th, '24 we are dedicating a picnic table and a bench at Beals Point with inscriptions on them. Friends, Family, TV, and Chief Smith will be there.

Thank you,

Andy Hoedt
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Previous post from 8/18/2023:
DEATH AT RATTLESNAKE BAR
23-year-old California TV producer dies falling 30 feet from banned rope swing -
See letter calling for action below article.
AUGUST 17, 2023 / 10:22 AM / CBS NEWS (photo credit: KCRA-TV)
A young California news producer suddenly died over the weekend after an incident involving a banned rope swing, her employer, NBC affiliate KCRA-TV said. Morning producer Katie Hoedt, 23, died after falling from a rope swing at Folsom Lake on Saturday, the station said, citing California State Parks officials. Barry Smith, chief ranger of the Gold Fields District of California State Parks, told the station that Hoedt fell roughly 30 feet from the swing and landed on rocks near the water.

Rope swings are not allowed in the area Hoedt was at, he said, as it can be "extremely dangerous."
"You don't know who put the rope swing up. You don't know how strong that is," he said. "...Anything can give out." Following her fall, the Sacramento Bee reported that Hoedt's friends took her to a nearby boat ramp, at which point an off-duty doctor gave her CPR. When emergency responders arrived, she was taken to the hospital, where she died.

KCRA anchor Brittany Hope wrote on Facebook that Hoedt was one of the station's youngest employees, "a shooting star with knowledge and accomplishments far beyond her years."
"I will miss her giggle in the newsroom, and sweet voice in our ears during newscasts and live shots," Hope said. "...She never had a 'bad day' – and even if she did, she wouldn't let you know about it. Instead, she always brought brightness and positivity to everyone around her. Nothing can dim her shine."

While officials told KCRA that they remove rope swings as they see them, Hoedt's parents told the station that they hope their daughter's death will ignite the need for signs warning of the danger. Had those been implemented before, "she would have never gotten on that rope swing," her mother Beth said. (See letter below this article.)
"We don't want this to happen to anyone else, ever, and that's important to us," her father Andy said.

CLICK HERE to see the original article at KCRA-TV
===============================================

Letter to KCRA-TV on the death of Katie Hoedt :
My name is Leslie Bisharat and I’m a long-time volunteer with CA State Parks in Granite Bay. I am very saddened about the death of Ms. Hoedt at a beautiful park where I have had so many wonderful experiences. Unfortunately, her tragic death is a prime example of how State Parks has ignored threats to the safety of Folsom Lake SRA users. It has been of secondary (or worse) concern to the administrators at the Gold Fields State Park office. The lack of communication, oversight and prevention allowed the fatal and tragic death of Ms. Hoedt to occur. With confidence I can say that Parks does not inspect shorelines for hazards on a weekly basis—or even a monthly basis and I doubt they could provide evidence that they do. For years now, as park use has increased exponentially, the people we hire to ensure user safety and preservation of natural resources have focused on dangerous driving and bad behavior and have ignored almost everything else.

Once a park user leaves pavement and enters the trail system, they will almost never see park rangers. I’ve been using the trails at Folsom SRA for almost 50 years and only once have I encountered a ranger on a trail (and that was in Granite Bay, the most heavily-used area). As for rangers in boats, they are a rare sight and their attention is not on shoreline hazards, rather on boating infractions.

I’m a boater, frequent hiker and horseback rider on the trails from Lake Natoma to Auburn. State Parks has made recent changes to allow bikes on no-bike trails. The recent changes allow e-bikes that jeopardize safety for equestrians and hikers alike due to speed of travel. This change in use (CIU) is representative of Parks’ yielding to the steady pressure from the e-bike and mountain bike industry. Parks refuses to build separate trails for wheeled travel, which would avoid trail conflict with hikers and equestrians. State Parks has the notion that all users will follow rules and, somehow, will co-exist without conflict no matter the number or speed of travel.

The reason for this email is to point out CA State Parks’ lack of concern for the safety of all park visitors. Proper signage, maintenance and supervision could have prevented Ms. Hoedt’s death. She isn’t the first victim of bureaucratic negligence and, unfortunately, she won’t be the last. As someone who can investigate and shed light on the continual negligence regarding safety, I urge you to pursue this issue. State Parks, at least at Folsom Lake, will not change their view until they are compelled to examine policies and priorities due to bad publicity. Ms. Hoedt’s tragic accident can result in the saving of other people’s lives but it takes someone to shed light on this issue. I hope you’re willing to be that someone.

I appreciate your attention.

Regards,
Leslie Bisharat
Granite Bay, CA

CC: Mike Finta, Ace 4 Safe Trails, a local non-profit that has recently filed suit against State Parks over trail safety.
To see article about that lawsuit, CLICK HERE.

ASRA Star Thistle problem and what YOU can do to help

9/27/2024

Read below for more information...

YELLOW STAR THISTLE IS A BIG PROBLEM AT AUBURN STATE RECREATION AREA

ARE YOU TIRED OF YOU AND YOUR HORSE GETTING POKED WITH YELLOW STAR THISTLE
(YST)?
Are you tired of pulling thistle out of your horses legs and your socks at the end of
day? We need your help to get something done!

The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for the ASRA land. They are currently working on a fire prevention plan but it will be a few years before anything is implemented. I’m not sure the fire prevention plan has any provisions for the YST problem.

Currently, they graze goats in large sections of ASRA. This is good but their timing is not beneficial for fire prevention or YST. They graze in winter and early spring. New growth comes in the spring/early summer months and seed head develop/drop in the late spring/summer months.

If the grazing schedule would change, it would greatly improve the quality of everyone’s park experience. Cronin Ranch (BLM) grazes throughout the summer months and the YST has been knocked down tremendously.

We need your help by contacting the Bureau of Reclamation!
Contact information:
Emmett Cartier, Outdoor Recreation Planner
Central California Area Office
US Bureau of Reclamation
7794 Folsom Dam Road
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 537-7082 cell (530) 304-8505
[email protected]
AND
Elizabeth (Beth) Dyer [email protected]

YST is ruining our recreation area. Please let your voice be heard! Thank you for your help on improving everyone’s park experience.

Placer County Board of Supervisors approves Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project Phase 2

9/12/2024

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the solicitation for bids and the resulting execution of a contract for the Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project
Phase 2.

This project will provide trail connectivity between the existing Hidden Falls Regional Park trail system and the parking area currently being constructed at 5345 Bell Road.

“As great as Hidden Falls is today, with 1,200 acres of open space and 30 miles of trails, we are excited for the public to see the extraordinary scenery on
600 new acres of oak woodland and eight miles of new trails that lead from rugged canyons to ridgeline vistas of the snow-capped Sierras,”
said Placer County Parks Administrator Andy Fisher.

A portion of the new trail connection will be named the Loren Clark Trail, named after retired Placer County Community Development Deputy Director Loren Clark, who was instrumental in developing the Placer Legacy Program, which made the property purchases within the park possible.
Loren Clark, now vice president of the Board of Directors for the Placer Land Trust, voiced support for the project at Tuesday’s board meeting.

For more information about Hidden Falls Regional Park, including parking reservations, please visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/6106/Hidden-Falls-Regional-Park

CONTROVERSY CONTINUES...143 miles of e-bike trails in Tahoe National Forest? It's up to you.

9/6/2024

U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest
  · The Tahoe National Forest invites you to provide input on Class 1 E-Bike trail designations for up to 143 miles of existing and yet to be constructed trails. Do you have thoughts, concerns or feedback on the proposal? Have your voices heard by providing comments during this 30-day scoping period.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/4s5vywr7 for information on the proposal, potentially affected trails and to submit your comments. Please note that Facebook comments are not considered for this project.
Read the full news release here: https://tinyurl.com/jrww3r5f
---------------------------------
FULL NEWS RELEASE:
Tahoe National Forest invites public to provide input on proposed E-Bike trail designations
Release Date: Sep 6, 2024
The Tahoe National Forest is initiating public comment for proposed Class 1 E-Bike designations on up to 143 miles of Forest Service system trails.
To date, the Tahoe National Forest has designated 103 miles of existing and planned non-off-highway vehicle trails as open to Class 1 E-Bikes, including the recently designated Pines to Mines Trail network. The proposed Tahoe National Forest E-Bike Trail Designation Project will allow Class 1 E-Bikes on up to 143 miles of additional non-off-highway vehicle trails, both existing and yet to be constructed. An overview of existing trails and trails yet to be constructed can be found in the project documents.
“Opening trails to Class 1 E-Bikes has the potential to provide more diverse recreation opportunities to visitors of varying abilities,” says Tahoe National Forest Trails and Recreation Specialist Joe Chavez. “Our goal is to continue to provide top-tier recreation opportunities while incorporating emerging technology.”
During the comment period, the public has the opportunity to submit comments regarding issues and concerns related to the project’s proposed actions. Following a 30-day comment period, the Tahoe National Forest will review the public's feedback. Issues and alternatives identified will be addressed as the forest moves forward with environmental analysis.
Parties interested in submitting public comments may do so in the following ways:

Online by visiting: www.fs.usda.gov/project/tahoe/?project=66218

By mail: Beth Martinez, Acting Forest Supervisor c/o Karen Walden, Tahoe National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA, 95959

In-person: 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA, 95959 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Submitted comments should include:

Name, address and telephone number of the commenter; and if applicable, the organization represented

A heading or subject line of “E-Bike Trail Designation”

Specific concerns, issues or suggestions related to the project and the reasons for any concerns or suggestions

A description of the project proposal, including the draft proposed action, a scoping map and a table of potentially affected trails across the Tahoe National Forest is available for review online at www.fs.usda.gov/project/tahoe/?project=66218.
An interactive story map is also available for public viewing at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/2057dd9f2204488bb06583edb0a1227a.
For more information about the proposed action, please contact Joe Chavez, Trails Manager at (530) 559-2579.

PRESS RELEASE Contact(s): Sophia Hamann

Where is the equity for equestrians and hikers, the slower moving visitors on public lands?

9/1/2024

This letter just sent out in the most recent Newsletter from the Marin Horse Council:
They are coming for the trails!

Dear Members and Friends,
I could have titled this: “So many trails, so little time” and that would have been apt as well, because the time we have on trails without constantly looking over our shoulders is limited.

Trends in public lands are heading toward allowing both Ebikes and regular mountain bikes on trails. Marin Water (MW), in particular, is pushing forward on Pilot Projects to put bikes, E bikes, mtn. bike teams and cycling camp riders on selected hiking and hiker/horse trails in a two year pilot study.
(Sadly, most, if not all, of the trails on Marin Water are already ridden illegally by bike riders.)

MW Board promises transparency, safety and minimal disruptions, but equestrians, hikers, joggers and dog walkers are wary. Under consideration for the pilot trails, and possibly decided on at the September 3 board meeting, are a number of favorite trails used by hikers and horse riders. District Staff has also told us that due to water quality issues, horses will no longer be allowed on the Sunnyside Trail, built by the Tamalpais Trail Riders decades ago just after Bon Tempe Lake was filled. MHC board is active with Marin Stables (located on MW land), conservation groups, and other foot people organizations to review the proposals, drill down on pertinent parts of the pilots, and communicate with the MW Board. We will keep you informed.

Where is the equity for equestrians and hikers, the slower moving visitors on public lands?

STAND UP FOR HORSES! And, stand up for trail safety.

Linda Novy, President
Marin Horse Council
https://www.marinhorsecouncil.org/

Bear canisters/bear resistant containers now required at Lake Tahoe

8/31/2024

Aug. 29, 2024 - Hard-sided canisters required in Desolation Wilderness, and bear resistant containers required in all other areas

Two years ago, the USDA Forest Service’s Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) issued forest orders requiring the use of hard-sided bear canisters in Desolation Wilderness and in January 2024, the LTBMU issued another forest order requiring the use of bear-resistant containers in all other areas. The purpose of these forest orders is to protect the lives of visitors and to help keep Tahoe bears wild.

“Bear canisters work. These food storage requirements are a great step in the right direction for protecting hikers and bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) Trail Information Manager, Jack Haskel. “The PCTA encourages everyone, whether you’re on the PCT or not, to do their part by carrying canisters in Desolation Wilderness and bear-resistant containers is other areas throughout the Lake Tahoe Region.”

As a reminder, the 2022 forest order requires overnight visitors to use hard-sided bear canisters to secure all human food and garbage while in Desolation Wilderness, including when hiking the Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim trails.

The 2024 forest order requires the proper storage of human food and garbage that is not personally attended within 100ft to be stored in bear-resistant containers. The forest order also requires the use of wildlife-resistant dumpsters and food lockers (bear boxes) provided at National Forest campgrounds.

In recent years, bears in Desolation Wilderness and other areas of the Tahoe Basin have become more aggressive in their search for food, relying on human food and garbage sources rather than their natural food sources leading to increased interactions between humans and bears.

Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are attracted to anything scented or edible. Improper storage and disposal of human food and garbage is the leading cause of human-bear conflicts at Lake Tahoe. Bears that become dependent on human food and garbage lose their natural fear of humans, which can lead to the injury of a person or euthanasia of the bear.

For more information on bear canisters including frequently asked questions (FAQs), visit the Desolation Wilderness News: Food Canisters Required for Backpackers webpage.
For helpful information and tips for keeping Tahoe bears wild, visit TahoeBears.org and BearWise.org.

Press Release Date: Aug 29, 2024
Contact(s): Public Affairs, Lisa Herron 530-721-3898

For complete Press Release CLICK HERE.

West Nile Virus Activity in all of California

8/29/2024

"There have been 13 human cases of West Nile Virus and 3 deaths in California in 2024."

Important information for outdoor enthusiasts from Nevada County Health and Human Services:
"Neighboring Butte County has reported a death due to complications of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in an individual between the ages of 40-50 years The individual suffered from a severe, neuro-invasive WNV illness. There have been 13 human cases of West Nile Virus and 3 deaths in California in 2024. While Nevada County has not experienced any West Nile Virus activity this year, there have been many cases of infected mosquitos and birds in the past as well as a human case last year.

West Nile Virus is spread through mosquito bites and can infect birds, chickens and horses in addition to humans. Fortunately, most people who get infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms. However, about 20% of infections lead to fever, headache, fatigue and body aches and less than 1% of infections can have severe neurologic effects like meningitis or paralysis. Severe illness is most likely to occur in people age 50 and older, and in individuals with chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Dr. Sherilynn Cooke, Nevada County Public Health Officer, reminds residents “to take reasonable precautions to avoid mosquito bites.” To reduce the risk of being infected with West Nile Virus residents are encouraged to practice the “Three Ds”:

DAWN and DUSK - Remain indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active, or wear long sleeve shirts and pants during dusk and dawn.

DEET - Use a mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of eucalyptus, or IR3535 as active ingredients before going outdoors. Always use according to label instructions. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.
DRAIN - Remove water standing from bird baths, pet dishes, flowerpots, old tires, neglected swimming pools and any other source of standing water which is not fresh. Mosquitoes lay eggs on stagnant water. For standing water that cannot be eliminated consider adding “Mosquito Dunks” or mosquito fish which feed on mosquito larva.

The County Environmental Health Department’s Vector Control department can assist with assessing your site for potential breeding locations for mosquitoes and can provide mosquito fish for stand-alone ponds and animal watering basins. Please contact the Environmental Health Department at (530) 265-1500.

For further information on West Nile Virus please see these resources:
Nevada County West Nile Virus and Mosquito Prevention - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/2291/West-Nile-Virus-Mosquito-Prevention
California Department of Health - http://www.westnile.ca.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Hidden Falls Regional Park update and proposed trail connection

8/29/2024

This is a shortened version from Lisa Carnahan, Parks Senior Planner, Placer County Department of Parks and Open Space:
---------------------------------
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to update you on the continuing work occurring at 5345 Bell Road for Phase 1 of the Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project. The last culvert has been placed, the irrigation for landscaping is nearly complete, and we expect delivery of the restroom in the next few weeks. The contractor is also working on the electrical trenching and septic areas.

Additionally, we will be taking a request to the Board of Supervisors on September 10th for the proposed Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project - Phase 2 - Connectivity Trail Construction 2024 project. The proposed Trail Construction Project includes a trail connection from the Bell Road parking area to the existing River Otter Loop Trail within HFRP.

Parks staff has prepared a request for Board approval of the Plans and Specifications, authorization of the solicitation of bids, and authorization of the execution of a trail construction contract. If approved, we anticipate opening this second phase of the project in conjunction with Phase 1 so there will be connectivity between Hidden Falls Regional Park and the Bell Road entrance upon opening of the new parking and trailhead area on Bell Road.

Thank you,

Lisa Carnahan
Parks Senior Planner
Placer County Department of Parks and Open Space
C (530) 308-2755 | O (530) 889-6837 |
[email protected]

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