Partnerships Core Element of Modern Trail Program

Mike Damaso (L-Merced Dirt Riders) and Chuck James (R- FS OHV Lead)

QWR recently took part in a post Rim Fire recreation and resource tour of the Hull Creek OHV Area on the Stanislaus National Forest.  The Forest Service OHV Program Manager, Chuck James, led the ride and was also joined by AMA District 36 leadership, and the Merced Dirt Riders Motorcycle Club.

L-R: Jerry Fouts (D36), Don Amador (BRC/QWR), Mike Damaso (Merced Dirt Riders)

Chuck James (Forest Service)

While the fire’s impact to about 20 percent of the OHV trail system was clearly evident, the main takeaway from the event was the outstanding public/private partnerships the agency has embraced to help them manage their high-quality OHV facilities.

OHV Trail Leading Out of Campground

 Here are some of the recent partner projects on this unit.

Hull Creek Campground Restrooms- Funding partnership between Forest Service, Tuolumne County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Grant, and Recreation Enhancement Act (REA campground fee collections) for purchase and installation of two CXT vault restrooms. Operations and maintenance of restroom facilities are a partnership between the Forest Service, Calif. OHMVR OHV Ground Operations Grant funding, and Forest Service Campground Host.

Trail Barriers Next to CXT Vault Restrooms

Hull Creek Campground Trail Barriers - Partnership between Boy Scouts from Troop 500 in Sugar Pine, assisted Michael Oryall in this Eagle Scout Project with Mi-Wok Recreation Specialist, Chuck James, supervising the effort.  Approximately 623 feet of barrier fence was installed to protect riparian habitat, stream banks, the Hull Creek aspen grove, and prevent unauthorized vehicle use adjacent to Hull Creek Campground campsites 20, 21, 22, and 23.

Hull Creek Campground Eagle Scout Project

OHV Trail Repair and Maintenance (Turf Pavers/Tread Block)- Partnership between Forest Service, Calif. OHMVR OHV Ground Operations Grant funding, American Conservation Experience Crews (ACE), Calif. Conservation Corps (CCC), Merced Dirt Riders, and Summer of Success High School Crew funded by Tuolumne County RAC and administered by Mother Lode Job Training.

AMA Dist. 36's, Dave Pickett, Riding on Paving Block Armor

Trout Creek/Clavey OHV Restoration Project (blocking of unauthorized routes with debris, installation of erosion control woodstraw, straw wattles, and silt fence, and installation of project signing)- Partnership between Forest Service, Calif. OHMVR OHV Restoration Grant funding, and Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center (CSERC).

Trout Creek Restoration Project

Twomile OHV Restoration Project (Camp Clavey Barrier Fence Construction) - Partnership between Forest Service, Calif. OHMVR OHV Restoration Grant funding, and Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center (CSERC).

Camp Clavey Barriers

Twomile OHV Development Project (Construction of reroutes to avoid sensitive areas and reduce need for tread hardening mitigation per Stanislaus NF Travel Mgt. Plan, Construction of 3N01 bypass trail to reduce Combined Use segment)- Partnership between Forest Service and Calif. OHMVR OHV Development Grant funding.

Camp Clavey Meadow Protection

As you can see after reviewing this impressive list of projects, it really does “Take a Partnership” to keep trails managed and riding areas open in the 21^st Century.