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CSPA asks for
stream work, clean up and ordinances on the Rubicon Trail
February 9, 2009 -- CSPA has filed as a, "designated party"
in the Draft Cleanup and
Abatement Order, El Dorado
County Department of Transportation Rubicon Trail, El Dorado County.
The order enumerates a number of steps to clean up and
improve the facilities along the trail. However, CSPA believes some
additional ordinances and clean up activities should be included to
prevent a repeat of the previous problems.
It has been found that a
buildup of sediment generated by Off Road Vehicles (ORV) fording Ellis
Creek, a perennial fish-bearing stream has caused a fining of bed
material downstream of the crossing. This increased sediment load fills
spawning gravels and reduces aquatic habitat. The Regional Board has in
the past acted with the California Department of Fish and Game to
require the removal of sediments from creek beds where discharges have
impacted the aquatic life beneficial uses. The Weber Creek cleanup in El
Dorado County comes immediately to mind. Not only does the sediment load
impact aquatic life spawning areas but detrimentally impacts foraging as
well. CSPA recommends an assessment of the sediment load and a
determination of whether cleanup is necessary and should be required of
the Discharger (El Dorado County) with a time schedule which would
accomplish any cleanup prior to start of the next rainy season.
In
July 2004, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors issued a “state
of local emergency” due to the significant amount (Continued)...
of human fecal waste littered around the Spider Lake area. As a result,
the Spider Lake area was closed to camping. The amount of fecal waste
was determined to pose a health and safety threat to users of the trail
and to streams and lakes that are tributary to the Rubicon River and the
Middle Fork American River. While CSPA realizes that human wastes will
degrade over time, an assessment should be required of whether a cleanup
of any specific sites, such as camping areas, should be undertaken to
reduce the pathogen and nutrient loads to local waterways.
While
education of the ORV public is desirable, CSPA believes El Dorado County
should establish a local ordinance, of requiring the use of portable
human waste collection devices and “wag” bags. The ordinance should
require that all vehicles using the trail must carry such devices. The
county should also establish in the ordinance a means of enforcement and
penalties. The use and maintenance of permanent toilet facilities should
be assessed at highly used recreation areas, such as campgrounds.
This
whole issue is a matter of, "Abuse it and you'll loose it". To
keep the Rubicon trail accessible for everyone, both users and El Dorado
County are going to have to step-up and "clean up" their acts!
February 2, 2009 CSPA
Comments regarding Rubicon Trail
January 23,
2009 Draft
Cleanup and Abatement Order, El Dorado County
Department of Transportation Rubicon Trail, El Dorado County
January 23, 2009 Draft
Cleanup and Abatement Order, Attachment
January 23, 2009
Cover Letter, Draft Cleanup
and Abatement Order