Human-Powered in the Sierra Nevada

Winter travel planning is a legally-mandated process by which each national forest in the country is required, with public input, to designate specific areas where snowmobiles and other motorized over-snow vehicles (OSVs) are allowed to travel, with the remainder of the forest open only to human-powered travel. This process is currently underway on six national forests in California — the first forests in the nation to undergo this kind of planning

Our goal is to ensure that these forests — encompassing 4.7 million acres of public land — have in place balanced winter management plans that provide quality recreation opportunities for both non-motorized and motorized winter recreation, minimizing conflict between users and impacts to wildlife and resources.

Helping your local forest draft these plans is YOUR opportunity to protect high-value non-motorized experiences (backcountry skiing and riding, Nordic skiing, ice climbing, winter mountaineering, family snowplay, snowshoeing, etc.) in the Sierra Nevada, and to influence how YOUR backcountry is managed.

Sign up below to receive customized action alerts, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or stay tuned to these pages to find out what comes next on which forest and how you can help us advocate for balanced solutions in those areas you care most about.

Timeline At a Glance

Here is the current estimated timeline for winter travel planning on national forests in the northern Sierra Nevada (click on the forest name for more details):

• Eldorado National Forest: The Eldorado released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) management on June 22, 2018. The forest failed to seriously consider and analyze any significant further restrictions on OSV use and actually proposed opening many popular and historic cross country and backcountry ski zones to motorized use.  Public comments closed August 6.
• Tahoe National Forest: A public comment period on the Tahoe’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) ended on May 25, 2018. Winter Wildlands Alliance, Snowlands Network and the Center for Biological Diversity have granted an extension in principle to give the forest adequate time to consider the full range of public comment. We have been told to anticipate the publication of a final draft in January 2019.
• Stanislaus National Forest: The Stanislaus Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was published on August 24, 2018, initiating a 45-day public comment period.
• Plumas National Forest: We’ve been told by the Regional Office of the Forest Service that a Draft Plan will published in September 2018, followed by a 45-day public comment period.
• Lassen National Forest: The Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) were published on March 29, 2018. Following a final phase of objections and resolutions, this will represent the nation’s first comprehensive winter travel plan under the 2015 Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Rule.
• The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is also working on a winter travel plan. Although the LTBMU is in the same neighborhood as the 5 forests listed above, its winter travel planning process is not part of the same coordinated effort outlined above. However, we are also actively engaged in travel planning on this forest. Stay tuned for updates.