March 1, 2024 - The Pines to Mines Trail Project proposes development of a multi-use native surface trail system connecting Nevada City to Truckee. The system would be approximately 68 miles in length and would include existing Forest Service trails and new trail construction.
The project is currently under analysis, however; the latest milestone was the Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document made available on January 1, 2024, according to the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).
The proposed trail would run along Highway 20 and north of Interstate Highway 80 through the Yuba River Ranger District, Sierraville Ranger District, and Truckee Ranger District.
Residents, community organizations, and local businesses have expressed a need to expand public access to trails and open space, support economic development, improve sustainable recreation opportunities, and connect the western and eastern portions of Nevada County with a multi-use trail.
The initial public scoping action has been revised to include corrections based on updated data and map information, refinements to provide additional resource protections, and modifications to address public comments received during scoping.
A 30-day scoping period was completed in January of 2022 where a scoping letter and map was distributed to approximately 60 individuals, entities, groups, and Tribes disclosing information and seeking public comment on the Project, according to the Draft EA.
As a result of scoping, written timely comments were received from 159 individuals.
Comments included a desire to make the trail accessible for individuals with disabilities.
“It is an amazing project for recreational purposes that increases access for many more people who are not equestrians, strong hikers, or experienced outdoor enthusiasts,” Lauren Faulkenberry, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said.
"Opposition to allowing e-bikes was identified in 73 of the public comment letters, according to the Draft EA, while 45 of the public comment letters supported the use of e-bikes on the trails. Concerns about allowing motorized vehicles on the trails were mentioned in four of the public comment letters, others requested more information regarding the management and maintenance of the trails, and the speeds of travel among the various groups of users."
The potential for bicyclists to create jumps and ramps were also noted in public comments.
“It is proposed as a multi-use trail, but the specific classes of that are to be determined. The next steps will be to coordinate the objectives of all the comments,” Faulkenberry said.
The construction and completion of the Pines to Mines Trail Project will depend on funding.
There are several alternatives, such as rerouting, allowing or not allowing motorized vehicles on the trails, and how each phase of the Project will be implemented.
Environmental mitigations for various species have also been considered. “The Project would not affect species listed by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered that do not occur or have no suitable habitat within the analysis area. This includes California red-legged frog, Foothill yellow-legged frog, Yosemite toad, winter run chinook, Sacramento River Central Valley spring-run chinook, Central Valley steelhead, Lahontan cutthroat trout, and Delta smelt,” according to page 27 of the Draft EA.
To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email [email protected]
To see the complete article in The Union newspaper, click HERE.
The project is currently under analysis, however; the latest milestone was the Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document made available on January 1, 2024, according to the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).
The proposed trail would run along Highway 20 and north of Interstate Highway 80 through the Yuba River Ranger District, Sierraville Ranger District, and Truckee Ranger District.
Residents, community organizations, and local businesses have expressed a need to expand public access to trails and open space, support economic development, improve sustainable recreation opportunities, and connect the western and eastern portions of Nevada County with a multi-use trail.
The initial public scoping action has been revised to include corrections based on updated data and map information, refinements to provide additional resource protections, and modifications to address public comments received during scoping.
A 30-day scoping period was completed in January of 2022 where a scoping letter and map was distributed to approximately 60 individuals, entities, groups, and Tribes disclosing information and seeking public comment on the Project, according to the Draft EA.
As a result of scoping, written timely comments were received from 159 individuals.
Comments included a desire to make the trail accessible for individuals with disabilities.
“It is an amazing project for recreational purposes that increases access for many more people who are not equestrians, strong hikers, or experienced outdoor enthusiasts,” Lauren Faulkenberry, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said.
"Opposition to allowing e-bikes was identified in 73 of the public comment letters, according to the Draft EA, while 45 of the public comment letters supported the use of e-bikes on the trails. Concerns about allowing motorized vehicles on the trails were mentioned in four of the public comment letters, others requested more information regarding the management and maintenance of the trails, and the speeds of travel among the various groups of users."
The potential for bicyclists to create jumps and ramps were also noted in public comments.
“It is proposed as a multi-use trail, but the specific classes of that are to be determined. The next steps will be to coordinate the objectives of all the comments,” Faulkenberry said.
The construction and completion of the Pines to Mines Trail Project will depend on funding.
There are several alternatives, such as rerouting, allowing or not allowing motorized vehicles on the trails, and how each phase of the Project will be implemented.
Environmental mitigations for various species have also been considered. “The Project would not affect species listed by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered that do not occur or have no suitable habitat within the analysis area. This includes California red-legged frog, Foothill yellow-legged frog, Yosemite toad, winter run chinook, Sacramento River Central Valley spring-run chinook, Central Valley steelhead, Lahontan cutthroat trout, and Delta smelt,” according to page 27 of the Draft EA.
To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email [email protected]
To see the complete article in The Union newspaper, click HERE.
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