SIERRA TAHOE 100 ULTRA ENDURANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE PERMIT UPDATE

Earlier this week I was told by a forest service representative that the proposed "inaugural" Sierra Tahoe 100 Endurance Bike Race was permitted.  I was concerned, as sometimes events are permitted to be carried out on an annual basis for 5 years, so I enquired as to the length of permit, and was told it was only permitted for 1 year.

After publication of my editorial piece involving some of the issues of having a 700 entry mountain bike race with camping at Royal Gorge on YubaNet (and here), that same forest service representative called me, and told me to please retract that it was permitted. He also gave my home number out to the race's promoter, who called me on Thursday and Friday.  On Friday the race's promoter insisted he had a permit, but would not tell me when it was issued. 

Today I received an email from the forest service representative. Here is his latest update on the status of the permit, "The special use permit has not been issued and is in a draft and may not be ready until June or July." And if I wish to see a copy of the permit, once it is issued, "If you want a copy of the permit when it is completed you can make a formal request in writing through the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) to the District Ranger, 22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95603."

I have serious concerns about many issues relevant to this race, not the least of which is the fact that because there is no map of where the race will occur, it is impossible to tell what lands, public and/or private will be impacted by the race.  There is a possibility that the race may be being carried out in two separate forest district units, and, depending on where it is carried out on Royal Gorge Land, may impact surrounding private and forest lands. Before issuance of a permit, possibilities of damage to trails should be assessed, and compliance with appropriate statutes, including NEPA and the endangered species act must be assured.  If people are not able to see an accurate map, then they can not raise issues in a timely fashion.

FOIA is not the way for the Forest Service to do the people's business.  I'll be writing more on this, but as it's the weekend, I'm taking some time off.  Enjoy the new snow, and stay safe- I hear avalanches have a "considerable" rating today--so maybe it really is, "beware the ides of march!"