Cross country skier-snowmobiler compromise

JEFF DELONG
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 9/4/2007

Fifteen years of struggles over conflicting winter sports in California's Alpine County could be at an end with the government's approval of a plan designed to give something to everyone.

In his last decision as outgoing chief of the Carson Ranger District, Gary Schiff last week approved a winter recreation strategy as a compromise between cross-country skiers and snowmobile riders.

"They've forged a solution that everybody can live with, and my hat is off to them," said Schiff, recently assigned to new duties in Washington, D.C.

"This is very heartening to see and a great way to do business with issues like this," Schiff said.

The agreement, forged over the last four years, segregates motorized and non-motorized winter sports on a countywide basis.

"Both sides had to give, and that's the hardest part about compromise," said chairman Marcus Lipkind of the Snowlands Network, an advocacy group for non-motorized winter sports.

The plan represents an attempt to end a conflict dating back to 1992, when the Forest Service began efforts to update plans affecting the Forestdale area of Hope Valley south of Lake Tahoe.

Skiers and environmentalists, insisting snowmobile riders were causing increasing problems, wanted the area closed to the machines. They sued the government in 1997 for failure to take that action and after that suit was settled, sued again in 2000. Subsequent attempts to reach an agreement stalled.

In 2004, U.S. District Judge David Levi ruled the Forest Service had not adequately assessed the environmental impacts of snowmobiles and sent the case back to the agency for "further proceedings."

Those proceedings took the form of mediator-aided negotiations resulting in the new plan, which participants said works because it looks toward solutions on a large scale.

"Overall, I think it's going to be great for Alpine County and all the folks involved. I think we're going to see some positive change," said Undersheriff Rob Levy, an avid snowmobiler who represented his sport's interests during discussions.

"I think there's been a lot of give and take from everybody," Levy said. "It is a fair compromise for everybody."

Key aspects of the plan:


Along the embattled Forestdale Creek Road, snowmobiling would be allowed in early and late winter. During mid-winter when sufficient snow cover exists, snowmobiling would be prohibited. Snowmobiles would be diverted to the nearby Blue Lakes area, which would be improved with overnight RV camping allowed.


A large swath of backcountry north of U.S. 88 would be declared off-limits to snowmobiles and provide extensive terrain for quiet winter recreation. Snowmobiling would be allowed along an existing road between Armstrong Pass in South Tahoe the Blue Lakes area.


Snowmobile access over Monitor Pass would be improved and expanded, opening areas previously closed to the machines.


A detour around an avalanche-prone part of Highway 4 would be established for snowmobiles, providing a needed winter route for motorized travel between Markleeville and Bear Valley.

The Forest Service already has submitted grant proposals to the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to fund key components of the plan, including improvements to the Hope Valley SnoPark at Blue Lakes and construction of another trailhead at Red Corral for skiers and snow-shoers. Another grant request would fund expanded snowmobile patrols by Forest Service law officers.

While no construction is expected to occur by winter, closures to snowmobiles on Forestdale and Scotts Creek roads could occur and snowmobiling access could be opened on Monitor Pass, said Marnie Bonesteel, recreation officer for the Carson Ranger District.

"There is potential for things to happen this winter," Bonesteel said.

Libkind said he supports the plan but wonders if people will obey the rules.

"Historically, snowmobilers have not obeyed the closures," Libkind said. "We would be very happy if everybody abides by it. It would be a big improvement and the arguing and fighting and court battles would come to an end."