Senate Bill 1001 advances in Idaho Senate; bill would require youth OHV education

Hi all,

Senate Bill 1001, endorsed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Recreation Council, would require OHV riders under the age of 16 to take mandatory safety education classes. The bill advanced out of the Senate Transportation Committee last week, and it appears headed for a vote on the Senate floor in the coming week.

Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, the majority caucus chairman, is the bill sponsor. If passed, state officials estimate that about 4,000 - 4,500 Idaho youths might take OHV safety classes per year, compared to fewer than 100 per year who do it on a voluntary basis. The bill does not include any funding for the new work load, so right now, how the classes would be funded is an open question.

Idaho Recreation Council officials support the bill for the following reasons:

· Youth training will emphasize responsible use of OHVs and will reduce irresponsible activities and associated impacts.

· When youth are trained, they will be able to communicate responsible use messages to adults and parents.

· Adoption of a training requirement will reduce the concerns of many Forest Service officials and will reduce the need to close Forest Service roads to OHV use.

· Training on road signing and other on-road issues will make young riders safer.

· Training will not be required for youths who just use trails (not USFS main access roads), thereby reducing the impact of the mandate.

The legislation was brought by the Forest Service and the Idaho Recreation Council to address safety concerns on main access roads with a high volume of traffic. In 2009, the Idaho Legislature passed a law that allows youths to ride on USFS main access roads without a driver's license as long as they are under the supervision of an adult.

Even with adult supervision, Forest Service officials are concerned about youths operating OHVs on main access roads because kids wouldn't have the same training as a licensed driver. Youths could get in an accident with a speeding vehicle on curvy roads with poor visibility. Here's a video that explains the risk during hunting season.

Statewide, since 2001, there have been about 20 accidents involving kids on OHVs each year on public roads, according to ITD records. In 2003 and 2004, there were 34 accidents in each of those years. It's unclear how many of those accidents occurred on Forest Service roads or elsewhere.

"We raised our questions about this law two years ago due to concerns about safety -- safety for the OHV operator as well as that for the driver of highway-legal vehicles like a car or truck," said Andy Brunelle, USFS liaison in Boise.

While the legislation is moving through the Idaho Statehouse, the Forest Service is reviewing the safety of its main access roads in all of Idaho's national forests, as was mentioned in a previous blog. The safety review involves 2,700 miles of forest roads. If the new legislation passes, Brunelle said, the Forest Service's safety concerns would be reduced because of the compulsory OHV education for kids. Young OHV riders would learn about the potential dangers in safety courses, and would be better equipped to ride in mixed-use areas with heavy traffic.

This is one reason why the Idaho Recreation Council supports the bill, officials say. With the legislation, the pressure to restrict USFS main access roads will be reduced.

The Forest Service still is likely to take steps to make the main access roads as safe as possible with signage, brushing-cutting to improve visibility and other measures, Brunelle said.

The Idaho Farm Bureau is opposing S 1001 because it opposes mandatory OHV safety classes, according to its legislative update "Capitol Reflections." Farm Bureau officials say the classes should be voluntary.

If have an opinion about SB 1001, contact your local legislators. If the bill passes on the Senate floor, it would move to the House Transportation Committee. If it passes that committee, it would advance to the Idaho House of Representatives and then Gov. Otter.

You can keep close tabs on the Idaho Recreation Council's web site to see what action they recommend in the days and weeks ahead. We'll let you know how things turn out.

Forest Service invites public comment on forest roads safety review; comments due Feb. 22

OHV riders in Idaho should take notice that the U.S. Forest Service is currently seeking public comment on a forest road safety review to identify national forest system roads where OHV use may be a safety issue due to the heavy use of passenger cars and trucks.

The agency is reviewing safety issues primarily on main haul roads that OHV riders may use to travel to Forest Service trailheads or to complete loop rides. The review process is being conducted in every national forest in Idaho. Forest Service officials say they plan to look at mitigation measures to improve safety first, such as signage or brush cutting to improve visibility, but some restrictions on OHV use may occur, or roads may be closed to OHVs if no other alternatives can be found. Even if restrictions on OHV use occurs, the Forest Service roads would remain open to the general public traveling in cars or trucks, officials said.

The Forest Service is requesting public input on the issue. Each national forest has prepared a list of roads that they deem may be hazardous to OHVs riders. The list of hazardous roads is available for public review from each national forest. Contact the national forest where you like to ride to learn more. Public comments are due by Feb. 22.

Here is a copy of the Forest Service's news release regarding the issue.

For example, in the Panhandle National Forests, they reviewed 4,300 miles of roads and came up with 151 miles that need to be evaluated for safety improvements. The agency has several maps and information on its web site for more information.

One reason the agency was prompted to conduct a review of its main access roads, some of which are paved, is that kids under the age of 16 are allowed to ride OHVs on some major Forest Service roads with parental supervision. Previously, OHV use on main forest roads was restricted to people aged 16 and over who have a driver's license, a requirement that still exists for county roads.

"Safe operation of motor vehicles on national forest roads is compromised because unlicensed and untrained drivers are now sharing roads designed and maintained for passenger cars and commercial truck traffic," said Harv Forsgren, regional forester of the Forest Service's Intermountain Region based in Ogden, Utah.

Idaho Parks and Recreation officials advise OHV riders that they should pay attention to the Forest Service road safety review because it could lead to restrictions or closures. But they are also concerned that the Forest Service may be over-reacting. "People have been riding OHVs on these roads in mixed-use areas for 30 years," said Troy Elmore, OHV program manager for IDPR. "The Forest Service was supposed to review mixed-uses on main Forest Service roads during the travel planning process, so this shouldn't be anything new to them."

Statewide, Andy Brunelle, Forest Service liaison in Boise, said the agency evaluated some 7,700 miles of roads used by cars and trucks, and then shrunk the list down to 2,500 miles that are of concern. Approximately 770 miles of national forest roads are either paved or two-lane and experience high traffic volumes and speeds. Other national forest roads of concern were identified based on roadside character such as limited sight distances, blind curves, cliffs or steep embankments, or presently have limited locations for pull-outs.

Potential safety measures being considering include reduced speed limits, brush removal for improved visibility, warning signs, speed bumps, or other minor engineering changes. "In cases where risks are unacceptable, OHV use may be restricted," Forsgren said. "However, for each road of concern, restricting OHV use will be considered as a last resort when no other reasonable and effective safety measures can be implemented."

Sandra Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Idaho Recreation Council, said she would prefer to see signage and other measures used vs. closing roads. "We don't think there should be any closures of forest roads in the state of Idaho," she says. "The fundamental question that needs to be asked is, "Is there a problem out there?" To our knowledge, there hasn't been a mixed-use accident out there. It's just not happening."

Mitchell notes that parents are required to supervise kids riding on OHVs on Forest Service roads, and she said she thinks parents by and large are doing a good job of monitoring their kids on forest roads and avoiding accidents.

Adds Elmore, "We would support any mitigation measures where they could improve safety for all users and continue to allow people to complete their loop rides. But beyond that, we don't believe that any closures or restrictions are necessary unless data supports otherwise."

A related issue is that the Idaho Recreation Council is co-sponsoring new legislation that would require Idaho kids under 16 to take a mandatory safety course before they ride OHVs on public roads. The legislation, Senate Bill 1001, has been introduced. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.

The Forest Service supports SB 1001, Brunelle said. Elmore said that IDPR has not taken a formal position on the legislation, but if it passes, the agency would be prepared to implement it.

Mandatory safety courses for youths would ease the Forest Service's safety concerns, Brunelle said. "If we have training for kids, that lowers the risk," he said.

Gift tip for OHV riders - find a cool helmet for your kids

Hi all,

Maybe you're still searching for a great gift idea for your kids ... and Christmas is only 5 days away!

Well, here's a thought that might work -- a cool helmet for your kids!

Several years ago, Idaho state law was changed to require youths under the age of 18 to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike, ATV or UTV on roads, trails or dunes. The law was changed to promote safety and prevent head injuries to kids.

It's important to remember that helmets are required for kids not only if they are driving the OHV, but also if they are riding on an OHV with another person.

The helmets should be DOT-approved. You can find them at OHV retail stores, Cabela's, or online.

The whole idea is to avoid head injuries. All of us are born with only one brain. OHV's have the ability to travel very fast on roads and trails. If an accident occurs, it's likely going to be a high-speed accident, leading to a possible head injury, concussion or worse. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, if a person is involved in an accident while riding an OHV, helmets reduce the risk of death by 42%.

While no one ever wants to be involved in an accident, they do occur. Since the early 1980s, more than 90 Idaho residents have died in ATV-related accidents, with a quarter of those killed younger than 16, according to the state of Idaho.

In many ways, it's just common sense to wear a helmet so you can ride safe and smart.

Some other considerations when buying a helmet for your kids:

• Make sure it fits properly. A loose helmet can flop down and obscure a person's vision, potentially causing an accident by itself.
• A full-face helmet can really help prevent injuries to the mouth and facial areas. Consider a full-face helmet to avoid expensive dental and medical costs.

Have a great holiday!

Caribou-Targhee National Forest closes 377 illegally created trails, roads

This trail was closed with rocks

This fall, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest got serious about closing illegal roads and trails. The forest closed 377 illegally created roads and trails on seven different ranger districts spanning from Henry's Lake to Malad in eastern Idaho. The trail closures affected approximately 50 miles of unauthorized routes.

Here's a link to the story written by outdoor editor Rob Thornberry of the Idaho Falls Post-Register about the trail-closure projects.

Kris Millgate of Tightline Productions produced a video about the issue as well. Go to her video vault page and click on the "Trails Close" video dated 8/18/10 to see her piece.

The Caribou-Targhee's action is emblematic of the steps being taken by national forests in Idaho -- and elsewhere -- that have completed travel management NEPA processes and are taking the next step to close and decommission illegal trails and roads. The hard part can be finding a way to fund the heavy equipment work involved in closing roads and trails. The Caribou-Targhee received $285,000 in federal stimulus money to get the job done, the Post Register reported.

Some OHV riders have protested the closures, arguing that some of the trails have value and should be retained. Others feel that the way the Forest Service is closing the trails is ugly and unsightly.

Millgate's video quotes Alan Crockett, an Idaho Falls mountain biker, who felt that some of the grassy two-tracks that were closed should have been left open to mountain biking.

Gary Oswald, an Idaho Falls hunter, said, "It makes the forest look like hell. "Unless you dig a pit around the entire forest, people are going to go in there and break the law."

Counters Wes Stumbo of the Caribou-Targhee forest, "I can't argue that it is not butt ugly, but we can't stand by and ignore the problem."

"Illegal use of (all-terrain vehicles) is a huge problem," Stumbo told the Post-Register. "Unmanaged recreation is one of the top four threats to the health of the forests across the country, and 85 to 90 percent of the time, the problem is illegal ATV use. This work is an answer to that threat."

The Boise National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Office collaborated on a fence project recently to stop OHV riders from pioneering illegal routes on top of the Boise Ridge and on North Eighth Street. These were egregious examples of people wantonly creating illegal routes, according to federal officials, and a fence was the only way to stop the activity.

Responsible OHV riders and clubs know that illegal off-trail riding gives all OHV riders a black eye, and they discourage the practice. But sometimes the only sure way to stop the creation or use of illegal trails is to put up a bullet-proof blockade.

Check out 5 new rides in the Yankee Fork, Bayhorse areas near Challis

Bayhorse Pacific Mine Tour

Big mountain views are easy to find on the Bayhorse Lake - Trealor Creek Loop

Bayhorse Lake

Looking off into the Squaw Creek drainiange

Hi all,

We wanted Idaho OHV riders to know that we've added five new rides to the Where to Ride section of the http://www.stayontrails.com/ web site, including the new Lombard Trail that starts and finishes at the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park in Challis, Idaho.

With the five new rides, there are now a total of 31 OHV trails statewide to check out on the http://www.stayontrails.com/ web site. Most of the rides are appropriate for ATV or motorbike use, and a few of them feature singletrack rides for skilled motorbike riders.

As we mentioned in our last blog about the Lombard Trail dedication on Saturday, Sept. 11, the Yankee Fork region is loaded with literally hundreds of miles of OHV trails. The Yankee Fork District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, the Challis Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation officials have been working together to develop the trails, sign them and map them. See the overview map above for a glimpse of the possibilities.

Here's a breakdown of the five new rides. Click on the title of each ride to get more detailed information about the ride on http://www.stayontrails.com/.

1. Lombard Trail - The Lombard Trail, named for IDPR Board Member Ernest Lombard, runs for 13.5 miles one-way from the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park to the mining ghost town of Bayhorse. It takes about 1.5 hours to ride to Bayhorse. The Lombard Trail is an ATV trail but it is suitable for motobikes as well.

2. Bayhorse Pacific Mine Loop - You can either ride the Lombard Trail from Challis to Bayhorse or drive to the Bayhorse ghost town and trailhead to do this ride. The mine loop runs for 15 miles, and you should allow at least two hours for the tour, so you have time to walk around, take pictures and read interpretive signs. This trail is suitable for ATV's or motorbikes.

3. Bayhorse Lake - Trealor Creek Loop - This ride starts and finishes at Bayhorse Lake, which is a nice place for overnight camping and fishing. The loop is 25 miles from Bayhorse Lake. If you start from Bayhorse, it's five miles to Bayhorse Lake from the ghost town. This trail is more demanding than the Pacific Mine Loop. It's suitable for either ATV's or motorbikes. It has several challenging steep climbs and descents and some rough, rocky riding in the last five miles of the ride. Otherwise, it's a gorgeous trail with many big views of the surrounding mountains, fun ridgetop riding and curvy trails that weave through deep woods.

4. Martin Creek - Squaw Creek Loop - This ride features a number of singletrack trails, so it is suitable for motorbikes, but not ATV's. The 25-mile loop takes about three hours. Motorbike riders should have experience riding rocky and uneven terrain before attempting this ride.

5. Cinnebar - Five Mile Loop - We had to include a more epic ride from this region, and this is it. Again, this ride features mostly singletrack trails, so it's suitable for motorbikes, but not ATV's. The ride goes for about 50 miles. It's a big tour of the Yankee Fork region, starting from a trailhead on the Squaw Creek Road. Because of the distance of the ride and the variable terrain, it's best for experienced motorbike riders who like to ride a lot of miles in a single day. Be sure to bring plenty of food and water for the ride.

Have fun!

Idaho OHV enthusiasts to ride the Lombard Trail in Challis Saturday for trail-dedication event

Ernie Lombard

Pacific Mine Loop

Views from the Lombard Trail

Old Mill

Lombard Trail map (courtesy IDPR)

Motorbike and ATV riders are heading to Challis this weekend for a trail ride and trail-dedication event on Saturday, Sept. 11, to officially open the Lombard Trail in honor of Ernest J. Lombard of Eagle, Idaho, a long-time Idaho Parks & Recreation Board member, trail enthusiast, history buff and architect.

Anyone who wants to participate is welcome. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Land Management, Great Basin Institute and the Challis Area Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the event. A number of Idaho ATV and motorbike clubs are expected to be there, as well as the Idaho State ATV Association and some out of state clubs.

Activities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday morning with the trail-dedication at Land of the Yankee Fork State Park in Challis, followed by a trail-ride at 10 a.m. on the Lombard Trail, BBQ lunch at the Bayhorse ghost town at noon ($5 per person), and then folks can take off for additional rides or ride back to Challis.

Here's a brief video of the Lombard Trail. It runs for 13.5 miles from Land of the Yankee Fork State Park to the old Bayhorse mining site and ghost town. The trail is well-designed so it can be ridden by all skill levels. It climbs several thousand feet and suddenly you are riding among the mountain peaks near Challis, affording awesome 360-degree views.

Once in Bayhorse, there are many trail rides available that people will enjoy. One of the new trails in the area, the Pacific Mine Trail #390, provides a great tour of the Bayhorse mining area, where people can see the old mines, a stamp mill, a smelter, cabins, bank, cemetery and more.

Bayhorse also is a jumping off point for literally hundreds of miles of trails in the Yankee Fork region. IDPR has produced an excellent overview map (see above) that shows the myriad of options available. The Idaho OHV Public Outreach Project is in the midst of publishing trail descriptions and maps to five specific rides in the Bayhorse area on http://www.stayontrails.com/.

For more information about Saturday's event, contact the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, 208-879-5244.

Dozens of road construction projects in the Payette National Forest could cause delays or restrict access

We wanted to give OHV riders and hunters a head's up that the Payette National Forest has numerous road and bridge projects under way this fall that could cause delays or restrict access to an area you may wish to reach during hunting season.

Please check the details in an updated press release that explains all of the various road and bridge construction and improvement projects going on throughout the Payette National Forest to check on road closures and status.

The Payette National Forest was hit particularly hard by heavy rain and rapid snowmelt in late May and early June, causing enormous amounts of damage throughout the West Central Mountains.

Several roads were closed as a result of the damage, including:

• The East Fork Weiser River Road #172, due to a bridge washout near U.S. 95.
• The Middle Fork Weiser River Road #186, which is closed just below Cabin Creek Campground. The Fall Creek Road is suggested as an alternate route.
• A 500-foot section of the paved South Fork of the Salmon River Road was washed out by flooding and closed by Buckhorn Creek. A foot trail has been established to get around the washout area.

In addition to these closures, there is a considerable amount of road-improvement work going on throughout the forest that may cause delays for hunters, depending on location.

The Warren Wagon Road is being widened and resurfaced between Payette Lake and Secesh Summit. Possible delays are occurrding during blasting periods. Work is supposed to be completed by mid-September.

Please contact Laura Pramuk at the Payette National Forest for more information, 208-634-0784.