Sierra Trails - A Strategy for a Working Landscape in Sierra County

Project Proposal

The system of backcountry trails in Sierra County consists of approximately 51 miles of motorized OHV trails, 64 miles of non-motorized multiple-use trails, and roughly 36 miles of historic non-system trails. Total mileage is 151 miles or 797,280’, with a total number of recreational users being around 200,000 annually. User groups include motorcycle riders, mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians. These trails are located on US Forest Service land within the Middle Yuba, North Yuba and Feather River Watersheds, and have not seen regular maintenance for nearly 10 years and have had a complete lack of federal funding for 6 years.

The majority of trails were built during the gold rush to provide backcountry access to remote mine sites along the creeks and rivers. These historic routes in most cases have excessively steep running grades, sometimes as much as 60%, and are located within 100’ feet of a watershed. While there are some bridges, the majority of the stream crossings are “wet” crossings. High user traffic (some trails see as many as 30,000 users in a season) and winter storm run-off without any regular maintenance has left the trail system in disrepair. Trail treads are severely trenched, water bars are damaged and drains are plugged. Downed trees and washouts are now causing trail users to create new routes in order to go around an obstacle or an impassable section. This has caused “user made” routes to be created, or for the existing trail tread to be widened, in some cases up to 10’ in width. These user created trails often result in a poorly designed route that takes the user into the stream and back up the hillside to get around an impassable section.

The following watersheds have severely degraded OHV motorized multiple use trails located within 100’ of the stream: Butcher Ranch Creek, Pauley Creek, Lavezzola Creek, Empire Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, Downie River, West Branch Downie River, Canyon Creek and the North Yuba River.

The following watersheds have severely degraded non-motorized multiple use trails located within 100’ of the stream: Salmon Creek, Lincoln Creek, Haskell Creek, Wild Plum Creek, Haypress Creek, Smith Creek, Gray Eagle Creek, Jamison Creek, Little Jamison Creek and the Middle Feather River.

The following high-elevation lakes have severely degraded non-motorized multiple use trails located within 100’ of the shoreline: Upper and Lowers Sardine Lakes, Deer Lake, Salmon Lake, Gold Lake, Round Lake, Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Silver Lake, Long Lake, Smith Lake, Grass Lake, Mud Lake, Jamison Lake, Rock Lake, Wades Lake, Spencer Lakes, Hawley Lake, Snake Lake, Oakland Pond, and Little Deer Lake.

The type of restoration work that must be performed in order to reduce erosion and protect against watershed contamination includes; re-establishing tread to 24” width, tread off-sloping to 2%, rolling dip installation every 200’ on grades greater than 10%, cleaning out and constructing water drains, removing fallen trees and debris from within 5’ of either side of the trail tread, and sectional re-routes to reduce running grade to under 10%. These sectional re-routes may in some cases require NEPA. This important work will not only make the trails more sustainable and reduce sedimentation into watersheds, it will make the trails safer and enhance the recreational experience.

These trails, along with the surrounding natural beauty, have become the economic engine of Sierra County. Unfortunately, over the past 6 years, there has been a complete lack of funding for trails on public lands. What was once maintained by the federal government and taxpayer dollars has fallen onto the shoulders of non-profit organizations like the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS), and left our local Forest Service without the ability to maintain and sustain our most precious historic and economic resource, our trails.

The Sierra Trails – “A Strategy for a Working Landscape in Sierra County” project will prepare a Trails Master Plan (TMP) dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring, and enhancing public trails, affected watersheds, and affected communities, in an environmentally sensitive and ecologically responsible fashion. The TMP will provide the opportunity for the US Forest Service, Sierra County, and SBTS to come together as “working partners” and create an integrated public trail system, to employ stringent environmental standards directed toward watershed protection and avoidance of sensitive areas, to provide enhanced public access to recreational opportunities, and to create local employment and economic stimulation for Sierra County communities.

1. The Trails Master Plan (TMP) will include the following:
1. Create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between agencies.
2. Identify existing trail restoration needs to protect water quality.
3. GIS inventory of entire trail system.
4. Develop long-term trail restoration and maintenance needs for trail networks and partnership commitments to meet those needs.  Enter into MOUs between agencies and non-profit trail advocacy groups, develop Trail Adoption program guidelines and standards needed to ensure success. 
5. Identify additional (new) long-term trail needs (connectors, important corridors) that would promote economic strength through recreational tourism. Include maintenance plan along with any newly proposed trail.

The creation of an MOU between the US Forest Service, Sierra County and the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is essential for our trails to survive, and for a long-term management plan to exist. The MOU will contain the necessary language needed for “Tenure” and “Site Control”, allowing the SBTS to apply for State and Federal recreation and watershed protection funds for projects located on federal land. It also allows SBTS to manage and promote a Trail Adoption program on federal land. This MOU will serve as a template for rural communities - that once relied on resource extraction - to look towards recreational tourism as a strategy to create jobs, enhance the economy and create a sustainable “Working Landscape”.

As part of the TMP, recreational trail easements will be identified and mapped, and in the case of private land, the easements will be appraised and purchased by Sierra County. These non-motorized trails will provide connectivity within the current Forest Service system, and/or will provide opportunities for alternative transportation by linking communities, and surrounding public lands. The County of Sierra has appropriated up to $70,000 from Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act for the acquisition of recreational trail easements within Sierra County. In the case that an easement is purchased from a private landowner, Sierra County will own and enforce the easement. If the easement is acquired on lands owned/managed through a land trust, either the land trust or Sierra County will own and enforce the easement, whichever is preferred by the land owner. If the trail easement is located on US Forest Service land, the US Forest Service will own and enforce the easement. All new trail construction will include a plan for long-term maintenance and will incorporate a Trail Adoption program implemented through SBTS or other non-profit trail advocacy groups.

Land and Water Benefits

The project focuses on high-use trails located within the Middle Yuba, North Yuba and Feather River Watersheds (combined these Sierra mountain tributaries deliver clean drinking water to more than 65% of Californians). These historically significant and economically vital trails see thousands of mountain bikers, motorcycle riders, hikers and equestrians each season. With current recreation trends, that number isn’t likely to decrease. The development of a TMP, combined with an MOU between agencies, and a successful Trail Adoption program will result in a responsible, long-term trail management plan, dedicated to reducing watershed contamination as a result of soil erosion, which will improve general water quality. In addition, over time the restoration work performed by the SBTS Trail Crew and by volunteers will make the local trail system more erosion resistant and able to withstand the impact of increased motorized and non-motorized recreational use.

SNC Program Goals

The project will address all of the Conservancy goals.

• It will protect water quality and in most cases improve water quality through employment of trail construction and rehabilitation practices designed to eliminate erosion and sedimentation.
• It will identify historic trails that have been abandoned or for which maintenance has been drastically deferred. These valuable routes are in need of protection and redevelopment.
• It will provide increased access to public trails for recreational users of the National Forest system and where required for integration, public trail easements through private land to provide connectivity.
• It will promote a healthy and active lifestyle by providing non-motorized trail opportunities and alternative transportation activities.
• It will provide increased opportunities for tourism and employment within local communities either from direct employment or through increased visitation by recreation users, which directly links to an enhanced regional economy.

Cooperation, Community Support, and Leveraging

Support for the project includes financial and/or “in-kind” commitments. As the project progresses, numerous agencies will be used on a cooperative basis and numerous public-scoping meetings will occur throughout the County and region to assure a maximum level of public involvement and endorsement of the TMP. The following agencies and organizations will be involved with the project to assure it is consistent and compliant with current or future planning.

Communities:

Sierra County:
Downieville, Goodyears Bar, Forest City, Alleghany, Pike,
Sierra City, Bassetts, Calpine, Sattley, Sierraville and Loyalton.
Plumas County:
Portola, Whitehawk, Clio, Graeagle, Blairsden, Plumas Pines, Johnsville, Sloat, Cromberg and Quincy.
Nevada County:
Nevada City and North San Juan.
Yuba County:
Camptonville.

Cities:

Loyalton, Sierra County
Portola, Plumas County
Truckee, Nevada County
Nevada City, Nevada County

Counties:

Sierra County
Plumas County
Nevada County
Yuba County

Forest Service Ranger Districts:

Yuba River, Tahoe National Forest
Sierraville, Tahoe National Forest
Truckee, Tahoe National Forest
Nevada City, Tahoe National Forest
Beckwourth, Plumas National Forest

Partnering Organizations:

Sierra County Chamber of Commerce
Plumas County Chamber of Commerce
Nevada County Chamber of Commerce
Sierra County Land Trust
Feather River Land trust
Nevada County Land Trust
Local watershed groups and conservancies
Local trail user groups and clubs
Local Fire Safe councils

Long-Term Plan

The proposed project will develop “working partnerships” and expand long-term programs that promote the health and sustainability of our trails, our watersheds, and our community. SBTS has been involved with trail maintenance, rehabilitation, and new construction in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests since 1994, producing over 15,000 hours of volunteer labor. Over the years, SBTS has received funding from Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act in both Sierra and Plumas Counties for work on high-use trails in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests. The rehabilitation work performed by the SBTS trail crew has been described as “excellent”, by the State Soil Loss Monitoring contract reviewer (Roger Poff). SBTS undoubtedly has the skill, the experience, and the know-how to implement and complete the proposed TMP project. The SBTS will continue to develop the following long-term land stewardship programs:

SBTS Trail Crew

Restoration work will be performed by local SBTS employees, that are responsible for doing the work, leading volunteer crews, and actively staying involved with the education of trail use groups. Restoration techniques focus on reducing erosion and protecting against watershed contamination, so the trails are more able to sustain the impact of human traffic and our streams continue to deliver clean drinking water to millions of Californians.

Trail Adoption program

Under the direction and management of SBTS and the approval of FS, the Trail Adoption program ensures that specific trails are maintained and restored, each and every season. Trails are available for adoption by private citizens, local businesses and corporations. The Trail Adoption program funds are used to hire SBTS Trail Crew to restore, rehabilitate, maintain and construct trails. The adopting organization also hosts one Trail Daze work day each season on their adopted trail.

Trail Daze

These organized events allow the SBTS Trail Crew and volunteers to not only get some much needed work done, but to educate on proper trail etiquette and low-impact techniques that reduce erosion, and to promote the responsibilities and benefits of land stewardship.

Trail Teacher curriculum

Educational, fun and active experiences focused on getting youth and their families into the woods, allowing them to come away with a better understanding and an appreciation of our trails and our environment. And by fostering this connection with our youth we can help to develop lifelong stewards who will protect and maintain our trails for future generations.

Trail Monitoring program

select volunteers travel to controlled sites along their trail - at least one day per month - to take soil measurements and to monitor natural and user caused erosion. Volunteers conducting trail monitoring are responsible for the analysis and observation of their assigned trail for one year. These volunteers act as public service officers while in the field by providing local trail, forest and watershed information to trail users.

Project Schedule

JULY – SEPTEMBER, 2008
Research and Creation of MOU
The creation of an MOU will require several meetings between US Forest Service officials, Sierra County Board of Supervisors, Sierra County Legal Council, Sierra County Planners, and SBTS representatives. This project timeline is dependent upon coordination and cooperation of all agencies.

JULY – NOVEMBER, 2008
GIS Mapping and Field Survey
The field work is dependent upon the snow melt and snow fall, as many of the trails are high-elevation (5,000’ - 9,100’). Lower elevation trails will be surveyed early in the summer and late into the fall. High elevation routes will be surveyed during peak summer months when accessible.

NOVEMBER, 2008 – FEBRUARY, 2009
Restoration Plan and Recommendations
Long-term restoration and maintenance plans will be made once the GIS mapping and field surveys are complete.

JULY, 2008 – FEBRUARY, 2009
Development of Trail Adoption Program
The Trail Adoption Program will include a list of trails available for adoption, recommended restoration work, solicitation of adopting organizations, development of adoption contracts, and volunteer coordination.

JULY, 2008 – FEBRUARY, 2009
New Route Identification and Prescriptions
New non-motorized routes that provide connectivity will be identified and agreed upon by all agencies. Once the routes are identified and agreed upon, the recreational easement will be purchased, the trail will be designed, flagged and mapped, and an environmental study (NEPA/CEQA) will be completed. Once the environmental documents are complete, funding for construction will be sought through State and Federal grant programs.