Advocacy Alert! USFS Trail Project Comments needed

The USFS is currently reviewing two trail projects that will directly impact riding near McCall, including the proposed alignment of the PLT East Side as well as legitimizing existing trails in and around Bear Basin.

This is where you come in - we need public comments submitted in support of our trail systems! See below for a list of talking points that you can use when submitting comments. Please personalize these points and make them your own. Form letter-style comments don’t hold as much weight when the agency is reviewing comments.

Comments are due by January 3rd, so please act soon!

Payette Lake Trail - East Side

CIMBA is excited about this new alignment and about collaborating with the Payette NationalForest and Idaho Department of Lands to add to the Payette Lake Trail vision. CIMBA's initial route, which was announced in 2017, kept the trail entirely within the IDLendowment lands to simplify permitting; however, that proved to be an unsustainable route. CIMBA members spent hundreds of hours in the last four years re-exploring and scouring theterrain for the best and most sustainable alignment which took us up on to the NationalForest.

  • This new route will reduce the amount of new trail construction and utilize the existing Crestline trailhead parking infrastructure as well as part of the existing Exterra Trail and Yockwah Basin Rd. system.

  • It is the second phase of a trail around the lake getting us closer to achieving a long-term goal and providing a unique trail experience to residents and visitors to McCall.

  • This trail will help fulfill the growing need for recreational opportunities accessible from downtown McCall.

  • This trail will be built and maintained as a non-motorized trail that will be open to all non-motorized users.

  • The Crestline/Fall Creek Trails are nearby and open to motorized users so this non-motorized trail will not negatively impact motorized recreation in the area.

  • The trail construction will be funded through a variety of sources including grants and donations, and that it will be a great opportunity to get involved with local volunteer organizations in public-private partnerships.

Bear Basin

CIMBA supports the addition of the existing trails that were missed in the Bear Basin proper trail system (Mack’s, Too Short) These are sustainably built existing trails that were built by the USFS in 2010-2011. We also support the Rising Sun user-created connection back to the Bear Basin FS 451 Rd. To bring this section up to USFS standards we would propose some minor realignment to improve sustainability.

  • Adding the social trails near the Frisbee Golf Course that connect to the Payette Rim Trail and the FS 837 Rd. These trails allow connectivity to and from the Warren Wagon Residential areas and to the Payette Rim and Payette Lake Trails as well. They are likely to continue to be repaired by residents if not included.

  • Keep existing user-created trail along the FS 839 Rd that connects to the Sleepy Hollow Trail. We would also propose a turnpike/puncheon and minor rerouting to mitigate the 2 wet areas on this section. These trails are also likely to continue to be repaired/rebuilt by users if they are not included. This provides a valuable single-track connection to the Bear Basin Trails from the lower FS 451 Rd. The FS 839 Rd is not a suitable connection for non-motorized users.

  • CIMBA supports the development of Trailhead Facilities on the FS 451 Rd where the existing parking area is. Bathrooms and signage need to be included to preserve the resource and direct users to legitimate trails. Bathrooms would also provide much-needed facilities to the increasing dispersed camp use that this area is seeing.

  • CIMBA would also like to see plans or wording included to include future trail expansion in the area between the FS 451 Rd and the Payette Rim Trail as well as the area north of the USFS 452 Rd. that connects to the FS 488 Rd. This would also address the Backside Moto trail that is not mentioned in the project summary. Opening the door for additional stacked loop trail building in this area would allow for future expansion as the demand for recreation continues to increase and as additional funding for trails becomes available. Adding trails in these areas also keep users out of the areas of concern identified for Goshawks and large game calving areas that are further to the west on the FS 452/1088 road complex.

  • CIMBA would also like to see clear direction on the use of Type 1 Electric Bikes on non-motorized trails. CIMBA feels that these types of bikes allow more people to recreate and have no additional impact over traditional mountain bikes and should be allowed on all trails.

Matt Brewster