DWR request to make Oroville trails multi-use denied by federal agency
OROVILLE – A request from the state Department of Water Resources to temporarily make more than 50 miles of trails in Oroville open to multiple user groups has been denied by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
DWR proposed this with backing from the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee, or ORAC, as a compensation for trail closures as a result of the 2017 Oroville Dam spillway emergency.
There was a fair amount of criticism of the idea of allowing equestrians, hikers and bikers to share the trails because of concerns about safety and user conflicts.
The proposal would have allowed bicycles on parts of two trails and horses on parts of two trails where they are not allowed now.
The proposed changes were discussed at multiple public meetings and supported by ORAC on June 1.On Aug. 10, a combination of dozens of individuals and groups filed a motion to intervene with FERC in protest of DWR’S proposal.
Commission staff ultimately determined that the information available did not “justify the burden to temporarily change designated trail uses,” according to a letter denying the request made public on Wednesday. In its letter, FERC noted that there was “considerable disagreement among user groups.”
The department has previously requested changes to make Feather River project trails multi-use, which have been denied by FERC. A multi-purpose trail sign is seen near the Lake Oroville Visitors Center in Oroville.
If the proposal had been approved, the following areas would have been affected: Loafer Creek Loop Trail (2.9 miles), Dan Beebe Trail (Visitors Center to Saddle Dam and Visitors Center west to turnaround, 2.4 miles), Bidwell Canyon
Trail (Visitors Center to Saddle Dam and Visitors Center west to turnaround, 3 miles), and Brad Freeman Trail (Burma Road/spillway Boat Ramp, Thermalito Forebay and Afterbay and Oroville Wildlife Area, 45.5 miles).
A fun filled day for children and families is on the horizon at a Costumes 4 Kids Giveaway event on Sunday, Oct. 21.
Phoenix 4 Freedom is excited to host their third annual Halloween costume giveaway at American Legion Post 807 for families who may not be able to afford the costumes children look forward to at this time of the year. It is a free event that will include balloon artistry, pumpkin decorating, face painting and a costume to take home for upcoming Halloween events.
More than 100 kids are expected to show up for the event, which isn’t just about fun, but also about preparing for the upcoming holidays and relieving some of the financial stress for parents and guardians.
The community is invited to be a part of the fun time of giving and celebration. Costume 4 Kids will be held at 5477 Feather River Blvd., in Olivehurst from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 936-7434 or email info@phoenix4freedom.com.
“Phoenix 4 Freedom is a platform developed to assist all types of socially and economically disadvantaged workers by utilizing online and local resources,” according to their Facebook page.