Road plan offered for area

Carson City staff and the U.S. Forest Service will present a joint environmental assessment and travel management plan for the Clear Creek/Kings Canyon area Thursday at the Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Forest Service and city parks and recreation department developed the proposal designating a system of motorized and non-motorized routes in the area. It designates 12 miles of roads as open to the public and seven miles of roadway for administrative needs. The plan also designates 4.5 miles of motorized two-track trails and 4.5 miles of trails for non-motorized travel.

A total of 17 miles of existing roads and other routes would be closed to motor vehicle use and rehabilitated.

The plan would prohibit cross-country motor vehicle use in the drainage.

"Although the proposal would result in fewer total miles available for motor vehicle recreation, it would improve signage, trailheads and road maintenance and provide for motorized loop opportunities in the Voltaire Canyon area," according to the report to supervisors by city staff.

Both heritage and natural resources would be better protected by limits on motor vehicle use and requiring vehicles to stay on designated routes, the report states. The board is being asked to endorse the plan.

At the same meeting, the board will be asked to nominate the Wilson Property at the end of Ash Canyon Road for purchase by the Forest Service.

The Nevada Division of Forestry has asked the city Open Space Advisory Committee to nominate the property for the Forest Service Legacy Program. About $500,000 is available toward the purchase of the 118.4 acres.

Staff has expressed concerns the property could be developed. The city's open space program would be responsible for any funding in excess of the $500,000. The land has not yet been appraised.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.