Group plans celebration of OHV area post-winter reopening
- DON AMADOR
- Posted On
UPPER LAKE, Calif. — A celebration is planned to honor the work done by volunteers and the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service over the last six months to reopen motorized trails damaged by heavy winter storms.
The celebration event for Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance, or PWORA, will be held on Saturday, June 17, at the Middle Creek Campground on the Mendocino National Forest near Upper Lake.
It will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The severe rain storms, high winds, and heavy snow had caused hundreds of trees damaged by recent wildfires to fall across the designated road and trail system that blocked public access and raised concerns about rider safety and environmental impacts due to unauthorized reroutes around blocked travelways.
To help address those storm impacts, PWORA organized numerous work events attended by 170 volunteers who contributed over 2,000 hours to clear downed trees off of the multiple-use road and trail system managed by the Upper Lake Ranger District.
PWORA worked with District Ranger Frank Aebly and OHV recreation specialist, Matt Nourmohamadian, to ensure that trail clearing efforts followed sustainable trail management practices and safety protocols.
“Getting OHV routes reopened for public use before the Memorial Day Weekend was a herculean effort that was only accomplished by a strong collaboration between PWORA, volunteer crews, and the Upper Lake Ranger District management and staff,” said Ted Cabral, PWORA president and CEO.
“Special thanks also goes to the Lake County Public Works Department and Forest Service law enforcement who worked on a temporary fix and management strategy to reopen a slide on a section of the Elk Mountain Road to allow for trail repair crews to continue clearing downed trees,” Cabral said.
Cabral added, “The celebration event is an appropriate way to highlight the heavy lift by the Forest Service and partners to reopen this important recreation area so it can once again be enjoyed by the recreation community.”
PWORA thanked its many sponsors and grant partners who helped make the reopening possible and they include, FOX FACTORY Trail Trust Program, Factory Pipe, Metal Cloak Industries, California State Park OHV Grant Program, Metal Cloak Industries, Yamaha Grant Initiative and the Marin County Motorcycle Association.
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