Future Of The Rubicon May Be In Danger

[Grumpy]

SAVE THE RUBICON TRAIL!

The famed Rubicon trail is in danger of being closed to wheeled motor vehicles because of supposed water quality issues. For further info, please visit: www.pirate4x4.com/rubicon

We need your help NOW!

In order to insure access all year long on the Rubicon Trail, we need as many of these affidavits presented to the CA Water Authority as possible. The document MUST be FAXED in before March 31st.

Please copy the following affidavit, print it out, sign it and date it, and then FAX it to:
888.6.RUBICON (678-2426)
Secondary fax 530-644-5234
Third fax 818-729-9258
Fourth fax 916-444-6915

** Download the Affidavit here (PDF file) **

If you have NEVER been on the Rubicon, use this affidavit
(use this one ONLY if you have NEVER been on the Rubicon before

[Grumpy]

Affidavit on
Rubicon Trail Use
1. My full name is ________________________________.
(Print name)
2. The information contained in this affidavit is based upon my
personal knowledge.
3. I plan on visiting the Rubicon Trail, as either a driver or
passenger, this coming year and/or in future years.
4. I consider myself to be an avid off-highway recreationist.
5. If the Rubicon Trail is closed, for any reason and at any time of
the year, I will choose, at the same time of the year, a different trail in
El Dorado County or an adjacent foothill county, to recreate in my, or
as a passenger in someone else’s, off-highway vehicle.
I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of
California that the foregoing is true and correct
Date: ______________________, 2009
(Month and day)
Signature:

[Grumpy]

Here's what the CBD is trying to get done:


Protect the Rubicon From Off-road Vehicle Damage

The Rubicon Trail was once an American Indian footpath that was later used by trappers and explorers as a route through the Sierra Nevada. The trail runs through an important watershed and sensitive red-legged frog and Yosemite toad habitat on the Eldorado and Tahoe national forests. But today, the trail is sorely abused by thousands of off-road vehicles that cause extensive damage as they maneuver the steep and rocky trail.

Recognizing the problems inherent in off-road vehicle use on public lands, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board recently issued a draft Cleanup and Abatement Order for the Rubicon Trail that cites "mismanagement resulting in water quality impacts which include sediment discharges to surface waters, human sanitation problems and soil and water contamination." The order mandates decreased vehicle use and the termination of sediment and waste discharge. If adopted, the order would be a positive first step in addressing the destructive off-road vehicle traffic that is degrading water quality in the area and threatening both human and environmental health, including the destruction of rare riparian habitat.

This move to do what is legally and scientifically justified will likely be met with great opposition by those who want unfettered motorized access to the Rubicon. Please act now: Tell the Regional Board that you support this long overdue action and ask it to adopt the order.

[Grumpy]

SACRAMENTO, CA (April 27) - The Rubicon Trail is open and OHV recreation is sustained on this icon of four-wheeling, according to the Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) and Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR). The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) voted unanimously to issue a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) to El Dorado County and the Eldorado National Forest for the world-famous Rubicon Trail that sustains motorized recreation while enhancing stewardship of the trail.

Not only did the Board enact an order that recreationists can live with, but they also went so far as to praise the efforts of the volunteers for addressing trail issues in such a prompt manner all these years.

The Rubicon Trail traverses the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains of California from roughly Georgetown, CA to Lake Tahoe, CA. Water runoff and erosion are always concerns on trails in the west, but thanks to the efforts of all the clubs and members of Friends of the Rubicon in partnership with Eldorado County, landowners and the USFS, the Rubicon Trail is well maintained.

"FOTR has invested thousands of hours of organized trail work and maintenance since our beginning in 2001," said Del Albright, co-Founder and Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon. "We are well-prepared to address any concerns or issues on this famous trail, and we are working towards a future of stewardship we can all be proud of," Albright added.

Greg Mumm, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, pointed out that "BlueRibbon has sponsored Del's leadership of efforts on the Rubicon Trail since the beginning, and we are confident that FOTR can handle this like they have everything else thrown at this famous trail."

The Rubicon Trail Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting efforts on the Rubicon Trail. They led the effort to ensure the Water Board understood all trail issues. RTF has position statements covering many aspects of trail use on the Rubicon, including topics like water quality, sanitation, camping, and year-round use.

The Rubicon Trail Foundation does not support the blanket restriction of Rubicon Trail use by season, or by vehicle numbers, type or size. Further, the Rubicon Trail Foundation encourages the establishment of reasonable and practical operating procedures for training of volunteer groups and others to install and maintain trail drainage structures, stream crossings and new trail segments.

Other issues being addressed by the dedicated volunteers of FOTR and RTF include mitigating oil spills and managing human waste. The Rubicon Trail Foundation supports requiring every Rubicon Trail user to carry portable human waste disposal devices and requiring every motorized user to carry oil spill kits.

The Rubicon Trail Foundation works hand in hand with the Friends of the Rubicon and together, with the agency partners, these groups are ensuring an access-friendly future for the Rubicon Trail.

"We look forward to implementing this order from the Water Quality Board in conjunction with our great partners in the county and USFS, because we all will benefit, and our trail will stay open, alive and well," Albright concludes.

More information on RTF position statements, mission, and the CAO is available at www.RubiconTrailFoundation.org - or by emailing Board Director Scott Johnston at Scott.Johnston@RubiconTrailFoundation.org

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The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. http://www.sharetrails.org
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