Mt. Hood Off-Highway Vehicle Plan
Adobe Acrobat File (PDF), 301 Kb
11/4/09
The Forest Service has finalized its plan for ATVs, dirtbikes, and other off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in Mt. Hood National ForestPrior to this decision Mt. Hood was open to OHV use everywhere that wasn 't posted closed. 36 percent of Mt. Hood 's 1.1 million acres were open for OHV use. OHV use was allowed on 2,463 miles of roads and cross country travel was allowed. With this decision OHV users will be limited to about 143 miles of designated roads and trails in LaDee Flats, McCubbins Gulch, and Rock Creek. The Forest Service received thousands of comments, including 715 from Barkers, on its draft EIS. The agency considered creating OHV areas in extremely sensitive parts of the forest including Bear Creek, Peavine, Graham Pass, Mt. Defiance, and Gibson Prairie. However, they received overwhelming opposition from its own experts, other agencies, and the public. Fortunately these areas have been spared. 53 percent of people who visit Mt. Hood come to hike and only .52 percent of Mt. Hood 's visitors are there to ride ATVs, dirtbikes, and other OHVs. While OHV users are only a small percentage of Mt. Hood 's visitors, they have had a substantial adverse impact on the forest. Bark is pleased that the Forest Service listened to the thousands of Oregonians who asked them to protect our drinking water, wildlife habitat, and quiet recreation opportunities from noisy polluting OHVs. While this decision is an important step in the right direction, we will continue to monitor OHV use in Mt. Hood and the effectiveness of this plan at reducing the harm caused by OHVs.
- Mount Hood National Forest adopts limits on off-road vehicle use
Mt. Hood National Forest implemented its plan for limiting ATV damage on Monday April 11.
More... - Road is clear for Mt. Hood OHV Plan
Both groups that had appealed the plan withdraw their objections.
More... - Forest puts new limits on off-roaders
Plan cuts area open to off-highway rigs in effort to lessen environmental damage, reduce conflict with ‘quiet users’
More... - Oregon Public Broadcasting's Think out Loud: Having Fun in the Forest
Off-road — or off-highway (OHV) — vehicles zip through the state's national forests as drivers enjoy the speed and the beauty of their surroundings. However, that excitement might be limited if Mt. Hood's newly released travel plan (pdf) sets any kind of standard.
More... - The Oregonian: Mount Hood National Forest restricts off-road vehicles to four areas
The Mount Hood National Forest will severely limit off-road vehicles in the woods under a decision announced this week.
More... - Associated Press: Off-road use cut in Mt. Hood National Forest System
Four-wheel-drives, ATVs and dirt bikes can only go in designated areas of the Mt. Hood National Forest under a management plan issued Friday that closes 93 percent of more than 2,000 miles of roads and trails that have been open to the vehicles.
More... - Mt. Hood puts the brakes on motorized abuse
The Forest Service has released its plan to keep OHVs out of pristine forests and popular hiking areas.
More... - Mt. Hood National Forest on Path to Limit Off-road Vehicles
"We do believe people have a right to use the forest, but we don't think it's right for people to be going into the backcountry and abusing it," said Amy Harwood of the Portland group Bark.
More... - Oregonians speak out for a fair Mt. Hood OHV Plan
In the short 60-day comment period, nearly 1,000 Oregonians demanded a fair OHV Plan that protects clean water, quiet recreation, and wildlife habitat.
More... - Mt. Hood Off-Highway Vehicle Plan
As many as 325 miles of off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes will be designated in Mt. Hood National Forest. Help Bark groundtruth the proposed areas today...
More... - Audio: Discussion of Mt. Hood Off Highway Vehicle Plan
Audio from October monthly Bark-About hike to La Dee Flats along Forest Service Road 4610, one of the many Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) sites recently proposed for Mt. Hood National Forest.
More... - National forest considers limits on off-highway vehicles
The Mount Hood National Forest ultimately could close many miles or roads and trails to operators of off-highway vehicles, but first it will gauge public opinion — which could be strongly divided.
More...
General Info
- District: Forest Wide
Updated 12/28/10
