NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 6/5/2023
CONTACT: Ted Cabral – 707.246.8289
CELEBRATE OHV AREA
POST-WINTER REOPENING
UPPER LAKE, CA - A celebration is planned to honor the
work done by volunteers and the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance (PWORA) in
partnership with the U.S. Forest Service over the last six months to reopen motorized
trails damaged by heavy winter storms. The PWORA Celebration event will be held
on June 17, 2023 at the Middle Creek Campground on the Mendocino National
Forest near Upper Lake, CA.
The severe rain storms, high winds, and heavy snow had
caused hundreds of trees damaged by recent wildfires to fall across the
designated road and trail system that blocked public access and raised concerns
about rider safety and environmental impacts due to unauthorized reroutes
around blocked travelways.
To help address those storm impacts, PWORA organized numerous
work events attended by 170 volunteers who contributed over 2,000 hours to
clear downed trees off of the multiple-use road and trail system managed by the
Upper Lake Ranger District (ULRD).
PWORA worked with the ULRD’s District Ranger, Frank
Aebly, and OHV recreation specialist, Matt Nourmohamadian, to ensure that trail
clearing efforts followed sustainable trail management practices and safety
protocols.
Ted Cabral, PWORA
President and CEO, states, “Getting OHV routes reopened for public use before
the Memorial Day Weekend was a herculean effort that was only accomplished by a
strong collaboration between PWORA, volunteer crews, and the ULRD management
and staff.”
“Special thanks also goes to the Lake County Public Works
Department and Forest Service law enforcement who worked on a temporary fix and
management strategy to reopen a slide on a section of the Elk Mountain Road to
allow for trail repair crews to continue clearing downed trees,” Cabral
continues.
“The celebration event is an appropriate way to highlight
the heavy lift by the Forest Service and partners to reopen this important
recreation area so it can be once again enjoyed by the recreation community,” Cabral
concludes.
PWORA wants to
thank our many sponsors and grant partners who helped make the reopening
possible and they include, FOX FACTORY
Trail Trust Program, Factory Pipe, Metal Cloak Industries, California State
Park OHV Grant Program, Metal Cloak Industries, Yamaha Grant Initiative, and
the Marin County Motorcycle Association.
FB LINK TO JUNE 17 CELEBRATION
https://www.facebook.com/pwora
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