Oroville – Most of the state-owned trails around Lake Oroville remain inaccessible to the public since the spillway crisis over eight months ago and it’s unclear when they will reopen.

Footpaths at the Loafer Creek and Bidwell Canyon recreation areas are the only main trails that are reachable. Others, such as at Potters Ravine, are technically open, but the roads surrounding are closed to the public because of spillway construction.

Gary Leese, a member of the Lake Oroville Bicyclists Organization, moved near the Lake Oroville Visitor Center 10 years ago so he could have trails literally in his backyard.

Leese wishes the state Department of Water Resources would come up with a way to compensate walkers and bikers for the long-term limited access, pointing out that the department is adding boat ramps in effort to make up for the spillway boat launch ramp being closed.

“There’s just not been any movement whatsoever,” he said. “For me personally, it’s basically messed up my whole way of life. I’ve gone from having at least 40-50 miles of trails in my backyard to five and that’s basically what I’m stuck with for the next two years.”

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Leese raised the issue last week at the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. He said he tried to speak with DWR officials about when its trails may open again and the possibility of developing other paths with the Land Stewardship Counsel, which donates PG&E land for public use, but has only heard that it was being looked into.

The bicycle group still meets, three times a week, though their route has shortened by about three-quarters, Leese said.

“They’re putting, like, a blanket closure on everything,” he said. “I think they’re not willing to work with us unless we get loud enough.”

The Oroville City Council also included trail closures on its list of grievances following the Oroville Dam crisis in a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sent in August.

“Some biking and running trails are gone; a boat ramp is closed; some roads are closed; docks are closed; and most recreational access points along the Feather River adjacent to the City of Oroville are closed until further notice,” the council wrote in its letter.

“The cost for just the road repair is in the millions and the cost to our community is overwhelming.”

California State Parks usually manages the main trails owned by DWR, but since the spillway crisis, DWR has taken over management, with State Parks just doing security, said Aaron Wright, State Parks superintendent.

He said the decision of when to reopen trails was up to DWR.

A DWR spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment before the deadline for this story.

Contact reporter Risa Johnson at 896-7763.

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