Please follow the guidelines in the notice below to protect our access to the National Forest in Ohio better yet contact OMTA and offer to help maintain the trails- it would make a statement if 5,000 rider show up to fix the trails.
News Release NR-05-005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Phil Sammon, Public Affairs Officer (740)753-0862
Or Carleen Yocum, Operations Group Leader (740)-753-0859
March 7, 2005
Delayed Opening for WNF’s Athens District Trails
Nelsonville, OH –The damage caused by the January floodwaters in southeastern Ohio are forcing the Wayne National Forest to delay the opening of 182 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails on the Athens Ranger District and the District’s Marietta Unit for several weeks, into early summer.
The Wayne National Forest manages more than 236,000 acres of public lands in southeastern Ohio, which includes more than 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian riders and all-train-vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts.
This delayed opening, or temporary closure, only applies to the trails on the Athens District, and does not affect the trail systems on the Ironton District in Lawrence County.
Flood waters that ravaged communities and areas throughout southeastern Ohio in January caused widespread but sometimes unapparent damage to the trail systems on the Athens District trails, including the Marietta Unit. The damage included severe erosion and slippage of soils along and adjacent to the trails, weakening of bridge abutments and stream embankments, and general damages to trail head areas, and trail tread and aggregate. In this condition, the trails do not offer a safe environment for Forest visitors, and are especially vulnerable to further damage from future weather events and use.
The Forest leadership made the decision to delay the opening of the Athens District and Marietta Unit trails, which normally re-open each year on April 15. Repairs will start on the trail systems as soon as weather permits and contracts can be awarded to complete the work. Trails will be opened as quickly as possible, but not until conditions have been improved to the point that the natural resources are protected and the hazards to users have been mitigated.
The Forest Service will put on additional Law Enforcement and Forest Protection Officers during this closure for the safety of Forest visitors and to safeguard the natural resources. Signs and notices will be posted at all of the affected trail heads, as well as at vendor sites where users normally purchase trail permits for the Wayne. The Forest’s Visitors centers will also have closure information, as well as maps to show trail users which trails are available to them. Trail permits will continue to be sold at designated vendor locations and at Forest offices and will be valid for use on the Ironton District, and on the Athens District once the trails are repaired and reopened.
Trail users are strongly advised to adhere to the trails closure order because of the potential dangers to themselves, to other recreation users and visitors, and to help safeguard the natural resources. Riding in undesignated areas, or on “user-made” trails also poses significant risks to other Forest visitors and recreational users, and can lead to unmitigated resource damages. Violators face penalties for riding on closed trails, or for riding in undesignated areas.
The Wayne has received supplemental funding to repair damage from the September 2004 and January 2005 floods, the majority of which will be spent on trail repairs. The trails have been targeted to receive repairs immediately in order to return them to a usable condition as quickly as possible.
The Forest will provide updated information on the trail conditions through other news releases and on its Forest website. That website is www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne. Interested visitors can call the main Forest Office for more trails information at 740-753-0101.
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News Release NR-05-005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Phil Sammon, Public Affairs Officer (740)753-0862
Or Carleen Yocum, Operations Group Leader (740)-753-0859
March 7, 2005
Delayed Opening for WNF’s Athens District Trails
Nelsonville, OH –The damage caused by the January floodwaters in southeastern Ohio are forcing the Wayne National Forest to delay the opening of 182 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails on the Athens Ranger District and the District’s Marietta Unit for several weeks, into early summer.
The Wayne National Forest manages more than 236,000 acres of public lands in southeastern Ohio, which includes more than 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian riders and all-train-vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts.
This delayed opening, or temporary closure, only applies to the trails on the Athens District, and does not affect the trail systems on the Ironton District in Lawrence County.
Flood waters that ravaged communities and areas throughout southeastern Ohio in January caused widespread but sometimes unapparent damage to the trail systems on the Athens District trails, including the Marietta Unit. The damage included severe erosion and slippage of soils along and adjacent to the trails, weakening of bridge abutments and stream embankments, and general damages to trail head areas, and trail tread and aggregate. In this condition, the trails do not offer a safe environment for Forest visitors, and are especially vulnerable to further damage from future weather events and use.
The Forest leadership made the decision to delay the opening of the Athens District and Marietta Unit trails, which normally re-open each year on April 15. Repairs will start on the trail systems as soon as weather permits and contracts can be awarded to complete the work. Trails will be opened as quickly as possible, but not until conditions have been improved to the point that the natural resources are protected and the hazards to users have been mitigated.
The Forest Service will put on additional Law Enforcement and Forest Protection Officers during this closure for the safety of Forest visitors and to safeguard the natural resources. Signs and notices will be posted at all of the affected trail heads, as well as at vendor sites where users normally purchase trail permits for the Wayne. The Forest’s Visitors centers will also have closure information, as well as maps to show trail users which trails are available to them. Trail permits will continue to be sold at designated vendor locations and at Forest offices and will be valid for use on the Ironton District, and on the Athens District once the trails are repaired and reopened.
Trail users are strongly advised to adhere to the trails closure order because of the potential dangers to themselves, to other recreation users and visitors, and to help safeguard the natural resources. Riding in undesignated areas, or on “user-made” trails also poses significant risks to other Forest visitors and recreational users, and can lead to unmitigated resource damages. Violators face penalties for riding on closed trails, or for riding in undesignated areas.
The Wayne has received supplemental funding to repair damage from the September 2004 and January 2005 floods, the majority of which will be spent on trail repairs. The trails have been targeted to receive repairs immediately in order to return them to a usable condition as quickly as possible.
The Forest will provide updated information on the trail conditions through other news releases and on its Forest website. That website is www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne. Interested visitors can call the main Forest Office for more trails information at 740-753-0101.
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