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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Overview RECREATION OVERVIEW AND EXISTING/ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS FOR ASHLAND INTERFACE INTEGRATED RESOURCE ANALYSIS AREA SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS: The Ashland Interface is an area of high intensity recreation due to the proximity to town. Management of the area emphasizes watershed protection, fire prevention and fuels management. No camping or fires are allowed in the Ashland Watershed portion of the interface lands, and much of that area is closed to motor vehicle access November-May. The watershed lands are also frequently closed to all entry during periods of high fire danger. Off road vehicle (including bicycle) travel is prohibited except on trails designated for biycle use. Traditionally, little emphasis has been placed on managing the recreation setting other than actions implemented to attempt to resolve conflicts with the resource emphasis areas previously mentioned. The only recreation developments in existence are the recently completed Eastview Mountin Bike Trail, and the "unofficial" Toothpick Trail. Current recreation uses include: Mountain biking, hiking/walking/jogging, some horseback riding, recreational driving, hunting, camping (illegal in Ashland Watershed), and organized events such as foot and bicyle races. Mountain biking and pedestrian activities are by far the most predominant uses. Mountain bike use off of roads and trails (particularly on shaded fuel-breaks and private land adjacent the National Forest) is contributing to soil erosion and conflicts with private landowners. A safety hazard is posed when automobile traffic and fast descending mountain bikes share narrow winding roads in the interface such as the 2060 and the 2080 road. Nuisance activities not necessarily classified as "recreation", but generally associated with public use of the area are: dumping of trash; illegal overnight camping; homeless encampments; night-time use of the area for parties which involves illegal bon fires, consumption of alcohol by minors, and vandalism. Tolman Creek road (2080 rd) up to Mt. Ashland and the Siskiyou Gap area is a popular route traveled by sightseers. This area is viewed from the 1-5 corridor as well as being the scenic backdrop for most of Ashland. RECREATION ISSUES Access to the interface lands for recreation poses a planning challenge for the future. The need for "Open Space" adjacent to the increasingly urban environment of the city will have to be considered in the context of a variety of other issues. Any consideration of increased opportunities for public use must examine the kinds of activities and the potential values at risk (i.e, increased potential for human caused fire, soil stability, water quality, and conflicts between users) . "''''''' Th~ lack of managed trail opportunities for mountain bikers and hikers places recreationalists in the position of finding their own opportunities. Often these are in areas where use is not desireable do to resource degradation, safety concerns, or tresspass on private lands. Many connections between the city and the National Forest are not guaranteed rights of way; without planning, conflicts on these "informal" connections will increase. Recreationists who use the area may not understand the need for area closures enforced during times of extreme fire danger (usually summer or early fall). There is a need to "demystify" the Interface and Watershed lands through education and interpretation. ACCEPTABLE RANGE OF CONDITIONS In order to define an acceptable range of conditions for an area , one must first understand what range of conditions or trends exist. The ecosystem is dynamic. Over a period of time vegetation grows and dies, populations of plants and animals flucuate from over abundant to sparse. Both managed and natural disturbances affect these trends in the ecosystem. Once you have defined the trends (or range of conditions) the issues or values one places on the resources within an area will begin to set side boards on what range of conditions would be acceptable. For example.... Recreation use is managed in a manner that compliments or is compatible with fire management and other watershed and resource values. Opportunities for compatible uses will be developed and expanded to provide alternatives to present unmanaged and non-conforming uses. User awareness of fire prevention and watershed issues will be increased through interactions with visitors and user groups, signing, education and interpretation. Potential interpretive opportunities include viewpoints, the RNA off of Lamb Mine Trail, fuel breaks and the role of fire, watershed protection and the City drinking water supply, historical features such as old mines, and probably alot more. Environmental Education programs involving local schools and guided loop tours is another opportunity. Mountain bikes constitute the largest and fastest growing use of the interface lands, and the most controversial. By providing managed trails that deliver the desired experience, illegal and conflicting uses can be discouraged. This will involve working with the mountain bike community to better understand the desired experience levels and connections that, if managed properly, will reduce tresspasses and riding on problem areas such as steep shaded fuel breaks. The Ashland Ranger District has a map and inventory of informal and designated trails in the Interface and Watershed as well as proposals gathered from members of the mountain bike community. Emphasize and provide the greatest variety/density of loops/connections in the areas closest to town. Increased patrols, community involvement and education should strive to further reduce vandalism, dumping and illegal camping on public and private lands. n~ Th~ type of camping that occurs in the Interface is not that of a recreational type of experience. The typical camper here does not wish to pay for developed facilities and is simply looking for a free spot to park a car or van and snooze, get up in the morning and drive off. RV parks and Camping areas are provided by the private sector at Emigrant Lake (County and nearby KOA campgrounds), Jackson Hot Springs, and several RV Parks along 1-5 in the Talent/Phoenix area. A large scale development site in the Interface would compete with the private sector and probably would have little effect in terms of channeling these roadside bivouacs to a managed area. Forest Road 2080 is currently the best for scenic drives and will require less maintenance. It offers the best views of the valley, Emigrant Lake and the distant Cascades. Fire risk with regard to watershed values is much lower because of prevailing wind direction and topography. Many roads in the interface should be considered for closure or conversion to non-motorized trails to reduce road maintenance costs and erosion, and decrease illegal dumping, camping, and the risk of fire. n Project List Development: [NEED TO COMPLETE] 1. Emphasize Non-Motorized Access (This is a multi-resource benefiting project) Close the Loop Road (2060) from the gate above Granite/Glenview to Four Corners year-round. Provide managed trailhead parking and visitor information/education at both ends of closure. The benefits of a year round motorized closure would include, but are not limited to the following: * Enhances recreation experience/use of the Interface (and watershed) by pedestrians and bicyclists which are the predominant and appropriate uses. Motor vehicle access to outlying National Forest areas is adequate, while the unique aspect of this urban/forest interface is the opportunity to walk, jog, or ride a bike from a doorstep in the community to adjacent forest lands. Absence of dust and passing vehicles increases enjoyment of the outdoor setting and provides a contrasting "escape" from the city. The significant safety issue of fast descending mountain bikes and motor vehicles sharing a narrow, winding, forest road would be ameliorated to a large degree in the road closure area. * Risk of human caused fire would be greatly reduced. Motorized use is the highest risk category for a number of reasons: Internal combustion engine/catalytic converters are an ignition source; majority of illegal camping, bonfires, smoking, and fire-risk associated behaviour occur in conjunction with motor vehicle access. * Illegal dumping, toxic spills and oil pan leaks would be practically eliminated along the 2060 road. Most illegal camping in the watershed portion of the interface occurs out of motor vehicles driven up the loop road late in the evening, to pull off to the side somewhere and camp, then leave the next morning. * Restricting motorized access to administrative uses will reduce road maintenance costs and erosion. * Motorized access is not required for hunting. Many watersheds and closure areas have instituted game retrieval policies. The 2060 road is often closed during deer season anyway. Many non-hunters repeatedly ask about areas where they can go for a walk in the woods, experience fall colors, and not feel intimidated by all the hunting activity. * There would be no significant dollar expenditure needed; in fact, savings from reduced road maintenance needs would offset cost of implementation. Biggest "bang-for-the-buck" in terms of enhanced - recreation, expansion of trails without capital cost, reduced erosion from roads, and reduced risk of human caused fire. RECREATION PROJECTS: 1. Mountain Bikes constitute the largest and fastest growing use of the interface lands, and the most controversial. By providing managed trails that deliver the desired experience, illegal and conflicting uses can be discouraged. Education and enforcement will still be needed. Some of the projects and emphasis that are needed to implement a pro-active mountain bike program in the interface are: * Provide an off-road bicycle trail from Four Corners (junction of 2060, 2080200 and 2060600) down to the Forest Boundary at road 2060. This particular stretch of road 2060 contitutes the highest hazard for a potential collision between descending mountain bikes and motor vehicles coming up the road. Pieces of this route exist very informally, construction would be required for other segments. Assuming that planning for the Ashland watershed may propose a year round closure of the 2080200 road from Bull Gap down to Four Corners, this route would provide a non-motorized trail link from Mt. Ashland to town with connections to the Lamb Mine Trail, Toothpick Trail, the proposed Hamilton Trail from National Forest to City of Ashland lands to Park Street, and also connecting with the Alice in Wonderland Trail on City land. * Construction of the Hamilton Mountain Bike Trail from the landing at the Forest Boundary on the 2060 road through the Hamilton Creek Coordinated Resource Management Area to Park Street. * Work with the mountain bike community to better understand the desired experience levels and connections that, if managed properly, will reduce tresspasses and riding on problem areas such as steep shaded fuel breaks. The Ashland Ranger District has a map and inventory of informal and designated trails in the Interface and Watershed as well as proposals gathered from members of the mountain bike community. * Development of a "Trials" or "Challenge" course and possibly one or two managed downhill "banzai" runs as alternatives to illegal uses now occuring on fuel brakes and other areas. No location is proposed at this time, but the closer to town the better. * Work with the City and private landwoners to find alternatives or secure access and right of way to informal trails such as "Hitt Road," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Toothpick." 2. Manage camping in the Interface through: * The majority of illegal camping can be controlled by closing the 2060 road from the Forest Boundary above Granite Street to Four Corners. *Provide a free mlnlmum development camping area with toilet, picnic tables and fire rings at the landing spot on Tolman Creek Road (2080) across from the junction of 2080700. 3. Interpretation * Develop a sign for the Lamb Mine Trail to interpret the adjacent Ponderosa Pine Research Natural Area. * Develop Environmental Education programs involving local schools and guided walk-in loop tours on the City's Winburn parcel (Suggested by Ashland Forest Commission?) The concept would endeavor to foster an understanding and appreciation of the Ashland Watershed. The relationship between the police firing range and any recreation plans for the Winburn area needs assessment. 4. Accessability for Persons with Disabilities * There is limited opportunity for disabled access in the interface, but the upper 2060 road west of the proposed motorized closure at Four Corners is relatively level and could provide some excellent non-motorized opportunities for adventurous physically challenged folks. * (Neil - Accessability study for Hamilton/Park Street area?) * The Lamb Mine Trail could be reconstructed to achieve accessability standards, but access to that site via poor existing roads reduces it's attractiveness. TI