Sandy Ridge and Alsea Falls MTB trails in Oregon threatened by 400% increase in logging

A significant threat has emerged for mountain biking in Western Oregon, as a proposed alteration to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) resource management plan could lead to a 400% increase in logging across 2.5 million acres. This change directly endangers popular trail networks like Sandy Ridge and Alsea Falls, which are integral to the region's outdoor recreation landscape and economy, by opening previously protected areas to timber harvesting.

This development is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring tension between conservation, recreation, and resource extraction on public lands. Sandy Ridge, in particular, was a pioneering project, demonstrating successful collaboration between the BLM and trail advocacy groups to create world-class, purpose-built mountain bike trails. The potential reversal of such land use designations underscores the fragility of recreational access and the constant pressure on natural resources in the Pacific Northwest, where timber interests historically hold significant sway.

Ultimately, this move represents a stark reminder that even well-established trail systems are merely guests on public land, subject to the shifting winds of resource management policy. Cyclists, it seems, must remain eternally vigilant.