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IMBA Alert: Help Save California's Lake Oroville Trails
For Immediate Release, January 24, 2003
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) needs your help to keep a popular trail system in northern California open to mountain bikers. We're asking you to attend a meeting or write to land managers at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and ask them to continue to support trail access for mountain bikers.
In spring 2002, California State Parks opened 17 miles of trail at Lake Oroville to mountain bicycling. Lake Oroville is located about 80 miles north of Sacramento in the Sierra foothills. Since then, hikers, cyclists and equestrians have shared the trail system with no significant user conflicts. Unfortunately, a few vocal equestrians are trying to persuade land agencies managing the property to close the trails to bicycles.
California State Parks management has pledged their commitment to IMBA to provide more great mountain bicycling opportunities throughout the state. Continuing access at Lake Oroville is important because it will lay the groundwork for more mountain bike trail opportunities in many other California State Parks. As such, this is an issue that affects everyone who rides in California.
It's important that mountain bicyclists either attend the Feb. 10 public meeting in Oroville or write a letter supporting mountain bicycling at the park. Here are some more details on the meeting:
February 10, 2003; 6-9 p.m.
State Theater, 1489 Myers Street, downtown Oroville, CA
DIRECTIONS: From Hwy. 70 north, exit east on to Montgomery St. At the second traffic light at Myers St, turn right and go two blocks. Parking is available either behind the theater to the left or across the street in the next block.To make the trip to Oroville more worthwhile, IMBA Northern California representatives Cathy and Jim Haagen-Smit are planning to lead a fun ride on the Lake Oroville trails before the meeting. Give them a call for details: (916) 663-4626.
Please write or FAX your letter by March 3 to:
Eva Begley, Ph.D.
Department of Water Resources
1416 Ninth Street, Room 620
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 653-8250
Take the time to comment today. It will only take a few minutes, and can definitely make a difference. Local equestrians were able to initiate this potential closure in the first place through a flood of letters. We can counter by doing the same. Include a personal perspective why you'd like to see mountain bike access continue in Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Also consider using the following points in your letter:
- At Lake Oroville, California State Parks coordinated a public process where hikers, equestrians, bicyclists and other stakeholders had input. Based on this feedback, California State Parks determined that trails should include cyclists.
- The fact that a few people disagree with the process does not justify rejecting the decisions that were made.
- The California Recreational Trails Committee unanimously supported the decision to make trails at Lake Oroville multi-use.
- California State Parks has had a long, successful experience with trail recreation, including mountain biking.
- Mountain bicycling is a sustainable, environmentally sound type of trail use. Trail erosion can be effectively reduced by proper trail construction and maintenance.
- People of all ages enjoy mountain biking. Mountain biking is more than good exercise. It provides an opportunity for nature study and appreciation, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
- California is home to more than two million mountain bikers.
For more information email IMBA Northern California representatives Cathy and Jim Haagen-Smit at jimhs@jps.net or visit http://www.imba.com.
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