STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT LEMON GULCH

---

Watch the Ochoco Trails video on this page or on YouTube

---

Review the Environmental Assessment published by the US Forest Service here: LINK

STEP 2: WRITE YOUR COMMENT LETTER

---

Best option: Write a personalized letter using the information in the video and from the bullet points below

See the USDA guidelines to writing project comments here: ​https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd492777.pdf

---

Fast option: Use the sample letter provided and edit as you see fit.

---

Submit your comment by December 19th to the Forest Service here: LINK 

---

FOR LOCAL AND VISITING MOUNTAIN BIKERS

• A concentrated but high-volume trail network will serve to “future-proof” against future trail needs as mountain bike use inevitably grows. 
• This proposes a downhill-focused trail network, a type of riding experience that is severely lacking in Central Oregon.
• Lemon Gulch lends itself to truly technical and steep trails not possible elsewhere in Central Oregon.
• Trails that offer a full range of difficulty, all located in one small zone, means families and friends of different abilities can enjoy a shared day of riding.
• Closer proximity to Prineville means less time spent driving for locals and visitors alike.
• Having many trails close to each other offers an entire weekend's worth of riding in one location, rather than simply riding one trail and leaving.
• Alternative 2 is the most beneficial to mountain bikers as it offers the best range of riding from longer XC to DH trails with a broad range of difficulty.
• Due to the volume of trails and range of experience provided, alternative 2 provides the best option to attract the bulk MTB users, thereby reducing crowding and conflict on other trails in the Ochocos.
• Taking into account other factors such as ecological impacts, COTA believes that alternative 6 represents the best compromise presented, outside of the full 52 mile build.

TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR COMMENT

• Review the materials provided before writing your letter.
• Make comments substantive and specific. The Forest Service wants factual comments related specifically to the project goals.
• Mix and match! Point out specific parts of each alternative that you think work or don't work, and explain why.
• The comment period is not a voting process. Relevant and actionable comments are more important than sheer numbers.
• Respectful and rational letters will be taken more seriously.
• The letter does not need to be long, but a personal letter will be given more weight than a form letter. We encourage you to pull from the points below but write in your own words. However, if you are very short on time or need additional help getting started with the letter, click below for some language you can use (and please edit for personal relevance):

---

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Slater Turner and the Ochoco National Forest,

I would like to voice my support for the Lemon Gulch trail proposal. The Environmental Assessment outlines a clearly well planned and studied plan for a mountain bike trail network. The Ochoco Forest Management Plan specifies a need for 468 miles of non-motorized trails, including mountain bike trails. Currently there are only 156.5 miles in the Ochocos, none of which have a primary purpose for mountain biking. The Lemon Gulch proposal represents the perfect opportunity for the USFS to begin filling the need for recreational opportunities in the Ochocos as specified in the 1989 Forest plan.

As a mountain biker, it is clear to me that the Lemon Gulch network would also perfectly meet the other objectives outlined in the EA. The type of terrain offered and the downhill-oriented trail design is something that is severely lacking in Central Oregon. By providing this type of experience, in a range of difficulties, mountain bikers will much less likely to choose other trail areas in the Ochocos. The effect will be less crowding and user conflict as recreation use increases in the future. 

Alternative 2 offers the most miles of trails, as well as largest variety of riding, and therefore best achieves all of the goals outlined in the EA. I would strongly encourage the USFS to proceed with Alternative 2.

The benefits of mountain biking to small communities can not be overstated. Studies have shown that in Oregon alone, mountain biking cuts $26 million annually in health care costs. Local businesses also stand to reap huge rewards from mountain bike tourism. For example, in Oakridge, Oregon, mountain bikers spend $2.3-$4.9 million every year. 

Thank you for your consideration.

STEP 3: TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

---

Share this page on all your social media accounts and encourage your friends to write a support letter.

---

MORE INFO

​USFS Project Page

​Ochoco Trails

Lemon Gulch on Trailforks

---

cota_lemon_gulch_comment.pdf
File Size:	207 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

2022_november_lemon_gulch_trails_draft_ea_-_comment_period.pdf
File Size:	22469 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

---

MEDIA

Providing More Perspective on Lemon Gulch Project | The Source Weekly
File Size:	1677 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Bike vs Bovines: Trail Planning in Rural Oregon Meets Opposition | Singletracks
File Size:	12364 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Other Side of Lemon Gulch Controversy | Oregonian
File Size:	1432 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Weigh in on Proposed Lemon Gulch Trail | The Source Weekly
File Size:	3148 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---