California State Parks eyes relocating motocross track at Mammoth Bar; why it's a good move

Auburn State Recreation Area is seeking public comment on its plans to relocate its motocross track, which was washed away due to flooding in 2017. The Mammoth Bar project relocates the track and parking lot to higher ground, where it will be much less prone to flooding, said Mike Howard, sector superintendent. "It was a popular track," Howard said. "It was one of the few dirt bike tracks that are in the area – the others being in Marysville and Prairie Hill. It is so close to the river on beautiful grounds. When we rebuild, it will be a popular spot again." The original track sustained major flooding in 2017. The proposed project would involve pulling the motocross track area back from the river to an existing parking/picnic area, thus reducing the chances of flood damage. The existing parking area, picnic tables and trials area would be moved to the east side of the river bar. Fill from the old track would be used to build bank turns and jumps on the level portions of the relocated track. After boulders are removed from the slope of the trials area, fill would be used to incorporate additional turns, minimizing the need for fill placement. Because this area is adjacent to the ascending canyon flank, the track would be engineered to effectively control surface runoff from the up-slope terrain. "The goal is to make the area a lot more durable to flooding," Howard said. The track would be fenced to prevent access during non-operating days. Access to the river boating put-in would be re-established around the relocated track. The project is currently accepting public comment on its intent to adopt a mitigated negative declaration of its environmental quality report. Funding for the project comes from the state's Off-Highway Vehicle Division. "There is always room for improvement, but I believe this project will make this facility even better than it used to be," Howard said. Once the plan is adopted after public comment is closed on June 1, the project could take two to four months to complete. "Hopefully, we can rebuild the track this year, but with the pandemic it is just uncertain," Howard said. "We might be at a point where we can pull the trigger on the project or we might be shut down financially. Hard to tell." The motocross track is just one feature at Mammoth Bar, which is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area. The motorcycle/ATV riding area has been used by off-road enthusiasts for nearly 25 years and offers a wide range of trails and conditions in a setting next to the Middle Fork of the American River. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation and is operated by California State Parks. For more information and to see the Mammoth Bar environmental report, visit parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1343.