The Sled Springs Off Highway Vehicle trail system will finally come to fruition now that a lawsuit filed two years ago by Hells Canyon Preservation Council against the Wallowa Ranger District reached a settlement agreement Jan. 6.

District Ranger Ken Gebhardt said 73 miles of off-highway and full-size vehicle roads will remain open including 44 miles of off-highway-vehicle-only trail. In addition, four miles of new trail will be constructed to link existing

trails for off-highway loop

riding.

The 44 miles of off-highway-only trails were provided for safety reasons, Gebhardt said, to provide riders an area where they did not have to share the road with full-size vehicles.

The designated trails and loops were created to not only provide safe riding opportunities, but to reduce resource damage on the district. All cross-country riding is prohibited, and motorcycles and ATVs must stay on trails and roads.

Due to sediment and water quality issues, four miles of road will be decommissioned as well, Gebhardt said, and no bridges will be constructed according to the settlement agreement. The district will also construct gates across Forest Road 067 year-round, and Forest Road 200 will be open June 1 through three days prior to archery season.

All of the off-highway trails will be open May 15 through three days prior to archery season. If trail conditions are too wet and muddy, the Forest Service, at its discretion, may extend opening the trail until the trails are drier to reduce resource damage and to protect elk calving areas.

“The roads being closed and decommissioned are to improve habitat for wildlife and steelhead,” said Gebhardt. “A lot of thought went into the road closures to improve habitat and water quality.”

Jennifer Schwartz, staff attorney for Hells Canyon Preservation Council, agreed that the 2009 Decision and 2012 Settlement Agreement will greatly improve fish and wildlife habitat.

“We are very pleased that the Forest Service agreed to limit new trail construction to a few short segments, place seasonal gates to prevent unauthorized use in some key areas, fully decommission approximately four miles of existing road and enforce a limited OHV riding season for the benefit of our forest resources.”

The 2009 decision notice signed by Gebhardt called for the closure of 91 miles.

Hells Canyon asked for, and received, an additional 11 miles, in the settlement.

All in all, the Forest Service’s intent has been to protect public access to public lands while protecting resources, Gebhardt said.

“It is important to the Forest Service that public access was considered for hunting, camping and firewood gathering. We know firewood gathering is important to Wallowa County,” said Gebhardt.

A Project Implementation and Monitoring Plan will be developed with interested partners this winter, said Gebhardt. The Wallowa Valley Trail Riders, Hells Canyon Preservation Council and the Nez Perce Tribe have expressed interest in helping to implement and monitor the off-highway trails.