Dune lakes off limits to ATVs

Nate Traylor

There will be no more joyriding around the Beal and Snag lakes on the south end of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Off-road enthusiasts who get a thrill skirting the perimeters of those dune lakes could face a fine of up to $5,000 or six months in jail for disturbing sensitive plant communities. The Siuslaw National Forest is implementing a Forest Closure Order prohibiting all vehicles from riding near the lakes because of the bog blueberry and other sensitive plant species.

The plant is rare on the Oregon Coast and Northern California, according to a press release from the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Forest Service officials say motorists pose a considerable threat to fragile habitats.

“If it is rare and particularly sensitive, sometimes you have to exclude certain uses,” said Megan Harper, Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman.

BLM oversees a portion of the North Spit where similar restrictions apply. Certain areas there are closed to vehicles from March to September to protect the threatened Western snowy plover.

The Forest Service order also provides protection to a variety of unique species, such as the Western pond turtle, hoary elfin butterfly and bald eagles. Bog clubmoss, adder’s-tongue and the western lily are also protected under the measure.

There was a lengthy public comment period on the matter, but it was more than a decade ago.

Other forest management actions, such as the alcohol ban, have taken priority, prompting the agency to postpone putting the measure into effect.

“We’ve been remiss in not posting these orders for the last 15 years,” said Sharon Stewart, a recreation supervisor for the Central Coast Ranger District/Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

The restrictions stem from a 1994 Oregon Dunes Management Plan, the goal of which is to restore plant, fish and wildlife habitats in Management Area 10(F), which also includes Siltcoos, Loon, Carter, Lost, Perkins and Elbow lakes and the Tahkenitch Dunes.

The measure restricts motorists from 300 acres around Beal and 75 acres around Snag.

Horsfall Lake has been restricted for some time.

Signs are posted near the lakes advising motorists not to enter. Though hikers are still welcome.

Richard Burkholder, co-owner Spinreel Dune Buggy and ATV Rental in North Bend, isn’t worried about the restrictions hurting business.

“We’re on the north end (of the dunes) and none of our riders go down that far,” he said. “They’re not allowed.”

Others feel the measure takes that much more sand away from the ATV community.

“They start with a little, then they end up taking a lot,” said Doug Parker, owner of Parker’s ATV & Cycle in North Bend. “Slowly, they cut you off completely.”

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Source: http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2009/10/08/news/doc4ace1e8008983222530161.txt

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