Forest service seeks input on trail proposal

In the summer, motorized vehicles cross the Pacific Crest Trail at Sonora Pass every day, thanks to Highway 108.

The proposed crossing of the Pacific Crest Trail and will provide snowmobile access to the highway.

"We are designating a crossing of the crest trail to go across the egress from the south of the highway, but higher in elevation," said Rachel Franchina of the U.S. Forest Service. "The highway is open to snowmobilers, but the area around it is actually closed. This will provide a route to get back to that highway."

The proposal stems from the Omnibus Public Land Act of 2009, which directs the forest service to create a motorized crossing in accordance with the National Trails System Act and applicable environmental and public safety laws. The act states that the crossing will not interfere with the nature and purposes of the Pacific Crest Trail or harm the surrounding landscape.

"We would like to hear comments, concerns, ideas, or issues that people may have on this proposal," said Acting Bridgeport District Ranger Barbara Drake.

Drake said the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is in the public scoping phase of the project, which continues through July 23.

Copies of the proposed action and purpose and need for the project can be found on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Web site at: www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects

After the scoping period ends, Forest Service specialists will review the public responses. Forest service personnel anticipate publishing an environmental assessment in late August 2010.

Public comments about the proposed action can be submitted to Bridgeport District Ranger, Attn: PCT Crossing, HC 62 Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA, 93517.

Written comments can be hand-delivered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays: Attention PCT Crossing Analysis, at the Bridgeport Ranger District office, Highway 395, Bridgeport, CA. The deadline for comments is July 23.

Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an e-mail message, to comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe-bridgeport@fs.fed.us.

For more information, contact the Pacific Crest Trail Crossing Project, contact Rachel Franchina at (760) 932-5830.