BALLINGER CANYON : Comment Sought on Plan for Wilderness
The U. S. Forest Service is asking the public to comment on plans to connect more than 100 miles of motorcycle trails scattered in wilderness canyons at the northwest tip of Ventura County.
Forest Service officials are proposing to link dirt trails in the east and west portions of the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, specifically from Grade Valley Road to Ballinger Canyon, said district spokesman Joe Krueger.
Some roads now designated for use by off-road enthusiasts could be eliminated as new trails are added, Krueger said.
Some of the motorcycle trails are within 100 miles of Lion Canyon in Santa Barbara County, where federal biologists released nine rare California condors last month.
The endangered vultures were transferred to the remote sanctuary in Santa Barbara County after other condors released into the Sespe Condor Sanctuary north of Fillmore died after colliding with power lines.
Krueger said an environmental analysis on the proposed changes to the trail system will include any possible increase in danger to the condors.
“If that were to be a problem, it would certainly be brought up,” he said.
Written comments on the proposal should be sent no later than Feb. 15 to the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Attention Joe Krueger, HC1, Box 400, 34580 Lockwood Valley Road, Frazier Park, 93225.
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