Placerville, CA Apr. 29, 2010 - Eldorado National Forest dirt roads and trails will remain closed to motorized vehicles through May 14, depending on weather and road conditions. Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo says the closure may be lifted sooner if conditions improve. Forest visitors are encouraged to visit the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado for the latest seasonal closure information.
The routes are closed to prevent damage to roadbeds, protect water quality, and prevent erosion.
"This is the second year Eldorado National Forest dirt roads and trails were closed during the wet season," said Villalvazo. " The travel management decision I made in 2008 identified January through March as the core seasonal closure months. Weather records indicated that these were the wettest months of the year. This is the minimum length of time Forest roads and trails will be closed to motorized use. Unfavorable weather and road conditions persisted this year and I've had to extend the closure beyond the core months."
Each time the Forest Service extends the closure beyond the core months, a new "forest order" needs to be created and signed to make the extension legally enforceable. Villalvazo says the last two extension orders were signed with the idea that the closure may be lifted before the ending date, if conditions improve. The current closure order is in effect through May 14.
The Forest Service evaluates current soil conditions and monitors weather forecasts to predict road and trail opening dates. The sampling and evaluation method is posted on the Eldorado National Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado.
Forest visitors are encouraged to look at the Eldorado National Forest website or contact the nearest Ranger Station for the latest road and trail conditions. Routes that are affected by the seasonal closure and those that will be reopened to motorized travel are identified on a free-of-charge motor vehicle travel map, now available at all Eldorado National Forest offices.
The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area of the National Forest near Georgetown, which are managed under different closure criteria.
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