By Jim Sanders - Bee Capitol Bureau
Sam Osterhout, 10, of Placerville, rides at Prairie City in Rancho Cordova on Thursday. Prairie City is one of eight off-road riding parks in California that could be shut down next year, unless environmentalists and riders can reach an agreement on how to overhaul the 36-year-old state program. Sacramento Bee/Anne Chadwick Williams
Millions of motorcycle, dune buggy, four-wheel-drive and other off-road riders could see California's vehicle recreation parks shut down next year unless agreement can be reached on overhauling the state program.
Prairie City in Rancho Cordova is one of eight off-road riding parks whose fate could be decided by sensitive, behind-the-scenes talks between environmentalists and recreational riding groups.
"The stakes are very high," said Daphne Greene, deputy director of the off-highway program, a branch of the state parks department.
Vehicle parks allow thrill-seeking, trail-loving motorists to gun their engines on thousands of acres where environmental degradation can be monitored and damage treated.
State law authorizes the 36-year-old, off-highway program only until Dec. 31. Nobody is pushing to eliminate it, but a tug of war has developed between groups pushing for new trails, more environmental protection and better policing.
Any agreement to preserve the off-highway riding program is likely to more than double entrance fees at the eight state parks, which generally charge $5 per vehicle.
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Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 8, 2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3
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