News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Document Available for Proposed Motocross Track Repair in Mammoth Bar

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 03/23/2007 16:01

For Release: March 23, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the combined California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act Draft Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (IS/EA) for the proposed repair and use of the motocross (MX) track at the Mammoth Bar Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. Mammoth Bar OHV Area is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). Located about thirty miles northeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills, ASRA is under the jurisdiction of Reclamation.

Reclamation contracts with the Auburn Sector of the Gold Fields District of California Department of Parks and Recreation for operations and management of ASRA, including the Mammoth Bar OHV area. Mammoth Bar OHV Area has been used as a motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riding area for the past 30 years. The MX track has been closed since portions of it were damaged by a series of winter storms in December 2005 and January 2006.

The purpose of this project is to repair the storm-damaged sections of the MX track and restore public access to the recreation area. The proposed remediation plan includes no changes in land use, as the repaired track would be contained within the same footprint as the existing track. The track and the service road adjacent to it would be rebuilt by grading existing materials, and a drainage feature will be incorporated into the project.

The Draft IS/EA may be viewed online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2613. Copies of the draft document are also available for public review at the Placer County Library, 350 Nevada St, Auburn, CA 95630, phone 530-886-4500, and at the Auburn State Recreation Area Headquarters Office, 501 El Dorado Street, Auburn, CA 95630, phone 530-885-4527.

The Draft IS/EA is available for a 30-day public review and comment period. Written comments are due by close of business on Monday, April 23, 2007, and should be sent to Ms. Laura Caballero, Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630-1799.

For additional information or to request a copy of the draft document, please contact Ms. Caballero at 916-989-7172 or e-mail lcaballero@mp.usbr.gov. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

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Relevant Link:

Draft IS/EA