Who is killing the Rubicon Trail

Subject:
a few thoughts....
Date:
Wed, 4 Sep 2002

While I haven't seriously been off-road in a 4x4 in awhile the thought of losing the Rubicon is disturbing. As an avid mountain biker all over the Sierras, West coast, and now the East coast, trail closures are a brutal fact. The biking family has made progress in opening or in some cases re-opening trails thru hard work at various trail building and maintenance efforts not to mention being present at the actual govt.[local & regional] meetings that might affect us. Unfortunately the few bad apples will ruin it for those that are responsible. Until the trash, drunkenness, and negative impact caused by off-trail driving are addressed and solved don't be suprised by closures. Just check out what Barbara Boxer and the her wilderness bill might achieve[close] in the Downieville area alone. Being pro-active with the rangers in exploring solutions before it is closed can save time later because re-opening is much harder then saving it in the first place. A few ideas might be:
1.Permits with fees to pay for policing...ie. extra rangers
2.Limiting # of vehicles on trail
3.Groups and clubs must help maintain trail to recieve their weekend on the trail
4.Stiff fines for littering, off-trail, operating while drunk, etc....
Not being familiar with this specific situation some of these may be happening already...Good luck!
--- Paul Van Dyck