State Sued Over Mt. Tam Fire Roads

Marin Independent Journal
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
By Mark Prado, IJ reporter

A bloc of environmental, hiking and equestrian groups filed suit yesterday in Marin Superior Court asking the state for an environmental impact report on the effect of turning fire roads into multi-use trails on Mt. Tamalpais.

The Tamalpais Conservation Club was joined by the Sierra Club, the Bay Area Trails Preservation Council and the Marin Horse Council in suing the state Department of Parks and Recreation.

The state wants to decommission the Lone Tree and Coastal fire roads and turn them into narrower trails that would be open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The state determined a full environmental impact report was not needed, but the groups are arguing in court that a closer look is needed.

"It's such a departure from their policy to allow bikes on these types of trails," said Dotty LeMieux, the attorney representing the groups. "We want to see what effect it might have on the mountain."

LeMieux also said the suit criticizes the state's handling of the public notification of the plan and seeks to reopen the process.

Roy Stearns, deputy director the state parks, had not seen the suit yet and had no comment.

It would be a first to allow bicyclists along the entire length of a narrow trail on the mountain. Bikers on Mt. Tam have free rein only on the fire roads. But the idea of bicyclists sharing a narrow trail with hikers and equestrians has the latter groups worried.

The state plan calls for spending $300,000 to turn the fire roads into narrower trails that officials say would be easier to maintain and be an overall better fit for the mountain.

A member of Marin-based Access4Bikes was critical of the lawsuit, saying it could stymie a project that would be a benefit for the health of Mt. Tam.

"The trails that are there now are erosive and they are damaging to the mountain," said Lisa Luzzi, political activities director for the group. "These groups are overlooking the benefits to the environment because of their hatred for bikes."

State officials say they don't see a problem with bikes on the planned trails, which would total a combined 4.8 miles in length.

The state parks department has money to pay for conversion of one of the roads to a trail and work could start as soon as the fall, but the suit could delay the project.

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	State Sued Over Mt. Tam Fire Roads Marin Independent Journal Tuesday, May 13, 2003 By Mark Prado, IJ reporter A bloc of environmental, hiking and equestrian groups filed suit yesterday in Marin Superior Court asking the state for an environmental impact report on the effect of turning fire roads into multi-use trails on Mt. Tamalpais. The Tamalpais Conservation Club was joined by the Sierra Club, the Bay Area Trails Preservation Council and the Marin Horse Council in suing the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The state wants to decommission the Lone Tree and Coastal fire roads and turn them into narrower trails that would be open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The state determined a full environmental impact report was not needed, but the groups are arguing in court that a closer look is needed. "It's such a departure from their policy to allow bikes on these types of trails," said Dotty LeMieux, the attorney representing the groups. "We want to see what effect it might have on the mountain." LeMieux also said the suit criticizes the state's handling of the public notification of the plan and seeks to reopen the process. Roy Stearns, deputy director the state parks, had not seen the suit yet and had no comment. It would be a first to allow bicyclists along the entire length of a narrow trail on the mountain. Bikers on Mt. Tam have free rein only on the fire roads. But the idea of bicyclists sharing a narrow trail with hikers and equestrians has the latter groups worried. The state plan calls for spending $300,000 to turn the fire roads into narrower trails that officials say would be easier to maintain and be an overall better fit for the mountain. A member of Marin-based Access4Bikes was critical of the lawsuit, saying it could stymie a project that would be a benefit for the health of Mt. Tam. "The trails that are there now are erosive and they are damaging to the mountain," said Lisa Luzzi, political activities director for the group. "These groups are overlooking the benefits to the environment because of their hatred for bikes." State officials say they don't see a problem with bikes on the planned trails, which would total a combined 4.8 miles in length. The state parks department has money to pay for conversion of one of the roads to a trail and work could start as soon as the fall, but the suit could delay the project.


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