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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Snow dusts the Rogue Valley floor ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 28, 1915 ... Southern Oregon ski areas, snow parks enjoy high visitation ... Snow dusts the Rogue Valley floor ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 28, 1915 ... Southern Oregon ski areas, snow parks enjoy high visitation ... End of the trails? Commissioner recommends ban of off-road vehicles from five Southern Oregon areas Commissioner recommends ban of off-road vehicles from five Southern Oregon areas. Comment By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 14, 2007 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 14, 2007 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM Recommendations and a summary of reasons Commis... --> Johns Peak — Not recommended. 16,375 acres. Extreme fire risk, one critical environmental area, steep slopes and landslides, multiple small, privately owned parcels and four fish-bearing stre... » Read more X Recommendations and a summary of reasons Commissioner Dave Gilmour opposes or supports areas for off-highway vehicle use. Johns Peak — Not recommended. 16,375 acres. Extreme fire risk, one critical environmental area, steep slopes and landslides, multiple small, privately owned parcels and four fish-bearing streams. Elderberrry Flat — Recommended. 3,393 acres. No extreme wildfire risk, no areas of critical environmental concern. Ferris Gulch — Recommended. 2,222 acres. No extreme fire risk, no areas of critical environmental concern. Salt Creek — Recommended. 4,692 acres. No extreme fire risk, no areas of critical environmental concern. Lake Creek — Not recommended. 8,561 acres. Extreme fire risk (Lost Creek fire occurred in 2002), critical environmental area, sensitive wildlife habitat, fish-bearing streams. Worthington Obenchain — Not recommended. 9,410 acres. No extreme fire risk, areas of critical environmental concern, very sensitive wildlife, multiple small landowners adjacent. East Howard — Not recommended. 6,812 acres. Heavy equestrian use with Lily Glen barn to the north, and two areas of critical environmental concern: Moon Prairie and Hoxie Creek. Anderson Butte — Not recommended. 11,742 acres. Extreme wildfire danger on western edge, several areas of critical environmental concern, half the area is located in very sensitive wildlife habitat, fish-bearing streams, adjacent private properties and historic Sterling Mine Ditch and Trail. Comments on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR) can be mailed to the BLM by Jan. 11, 2008 at Western Oregon Plan Revisions, P.O. Box 2965, Portland, OR 97208. Comments can also be made online at: www.blm.gov/or/plans/wopr » Social News One of the most popular dirt bike areas in Jackson County should be off-limits to off-road vehicles, Commissioner Dave Gilmour recommended to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Johns Peak, along with other riding areas such as Lake Creek, Worthington Obenchain, East Howard and Anderson Butte, have high fire risks, sensitive environmental areas and, in some cases, too many conflicts with nearby landowners to continue to be used by off-road enthusiasts, said Gilmour, who based his conclusions on information gathered by Jackson County. In particular, Johns Peak, which frequently is touted on national Web sites as an off-road destination in Oregon, has extreme fire risks, steep slopes, is prone to mud slides and is opposed by 1,600 surrounding property owners, said Gilmour. Anderson Butte has similar problems, including very sensitive wildlife habitat. "There are so many negatives for Johns Peak and for Anderson Butte," said Gilmour. "They've been using those areas like private playgrounds for several years." Gilmour forwarded his recommendations, which weren't endorsed by the two other commissioners, to the Bureau of Land Management, which is considering how to manage 13 off-highway areas totaling 100,751 acres in Southern Oregon. Of the eight areas in Jackson County being looked at by the BLM, only three would be suitable for off-highway vehicles, Gilmour concluded. These are Elderberry Flat, Ferris Gulch and Salt Creek. David Lexow, president of the Motorcycle Riders Association, condemned Gilmour's recommendations, saying Johns Peak and others have been recognized as riding areas for more than 40 years. He accused Gilmour of making a political statement rather than one based on gathering information from all sides. Jim Whittington, public affairs specialist for BLM's Medford District, said many of Gilmour's concerns are being considered by the BLM. He said that if there are environmental concerns or wildfire risks, they would be part of the BLM's management plan. The goals are to have better signs showing the trails that can be used, increased patrols and tickets issued to those found off the designated trails, Whittington said. None of the off-road areas are pristine currently, he said. Off-road vehicle use is also not allowed during times of high fire danger. Whittington said any management plan will include avoiding sensitive wildlife areas and being considerate of neighbors. In a draft plan on this issue, some unfortunate errors crept into the document that have alarmed readers, Whittington said. For example, the BLM wrote that it "will designate" 13 areas for off-road vehicle use. But he said that has been changed to "possibly designate." Johns Peak, at 16,375 acres, is the largest area being considered. But Whittington said the total acreage doesn't give a good idea of the actual number of acres that would used by off-road vehicles. "It won't be a huge 1,000-acre area," he said. At a recent public hearing, Whittington said the BLM received 124 written comments, with 64 encouraging the continued use of the areas for off-road purposes or increasing that use, and 60 opposing that idea. The off-highway vehicle areas are part of the BLM's Western Oregon Plan Revisions, known as the WOPR. Gilmour has been focusing on the off-highway question, but Commissioner C.W. Smith said he has turned his attention more to timber resources that are also part of the WOPR. Smith said he was aware of Gilmour's recommendation. "I'm not adamantly opposed to it, but I'm not endorsing it either," Smith said. He said he will defer to Gilmour's expertise on the issue, but does have questions about the BLM's ability to properly manage these off-road areas. "The biggest problem with the BLM is the lack of enforcement protection for these sites," Smith said. He said a management plan falls apart if there aren't sufficient funds to enforce it. Gilmour said that considering the risks, the environmental damage and the disregard for private property, it doesn't make sense that all eight areas be available for off-highway vehicle use in Jackson County. "The old philosophy that they can ride on open land is no longer true," Gilmour said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected]. By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 14, 2007 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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