Collection: Newspapers > Nevada County Nugget

About This Item:

Title: September 18, 1976 Collection Type: Newspapers Collection Name: Nevada County Nugget Published: September 18, 1976 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Physical Format: Newspaper # of Pages: 10 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Printed or handwritten: All printed text Date Scanned: 2023-04-12 23:00:30 Scanning Equipment: Professionally Scanned OCR Software Version #: tesseract 5.4.1 Item Sourced From: JPGs First Created: 2025-03-17 04:15:48 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 04:15:48

Original Held At: Doris Foley Library Location: 211 North Pine Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 10  

in of Washington VS public use operty} ~ ys. “If they stay in the water it doesn’t bother me.”’ “P’ve put everything I’ve earned for the past 16 years into this land,” Stewart says. Stewart’s home overlooks a swimming hole on the river which runs through the middle of his property. Meanwhile in town, 32-year old Loebel sits on the of his Washington Trading Post looking out over the empty town. “This is the height of our tourist season and look at that — there’s not a soul on the streets,” he laments. ‘This is a national forest, paid for by the taxpayer’s dollar. Everyone should have a chance to use it. A majority of . property owners should not be able to keep people from using their national . forests.”’ Loebel says his beef isn’t with the property owners; but with the Forest. Service for not providing adequate camping facilities. ‘“Washington is the only town in the’area with no federal camping,’’ he comments. The shop owner says he -has to regularly turn campers away from Washington due to the lack of camping space. Restaurant owner Jackie Bourgeois the river, but all the surrounding control, supervision and sanitation by the Forest Service. McMichael doesn’t see why the USFS couldn’t maintain Wa camPgrounds as they do the White Cloud and Skillman Flats Campgrounds on the ridge, eight miles above the little river town. Loebel admits Washington has had continuing problems with ‘‘undesirable’ types and thinks this is what initially led tk to the campground’s closing: “But if you eliminate the bait, you’ eliminate the buzzards,’ he says. “With better quality camping, I’m sure we'd have better quality campers.” Forest Service Ranger Tom Millard of the Nevada City Ranger District has been*in contact with the Washington Businessmen for the better part of a year. “We'll be doing a comprehensive study of the Washington area; not just lands as well, beginning in October,’’ he says. Millard says the USFS has not ruled out overnight camping for Washington at some future date. Improvements would be needed, he adds. Nevada County Hngget — Saturday, September 18, 1976 — Page 7 to the agrees sa , “One guy came in this ; : it with Another property owner, Karl week, pa upset, yelling this is But at least one Legg eRe Stewart, lives upstream another two _ supposed to be a national forest but no egal crs —— ic ‘00ith: ~ miles. brother acres ” chman’, as though it may see pe own iat ene con nee it. be closed anently to public accéss cables; near the Gold Quartz Campground, “It happens all the time,”-she adds. 0 w perm y yns to so used only for picnicking. Washington does have two privatelyashington. he has chained off “well, I guess I would,” says Stewart . operated campgrounds that cater to Vonhof admits an e-acre; when asked if he would oppose overthe, recreational vehicle or trailer old Forest Service road to the falls /as@ night camping at Gold Quartz, He too .;-owner rather than those who camp with where it crosses his land. He says when \ mentions poor roads as well as limited © tents or smallet vans. Spaces are a statute of limitations expires next the movement of emergency vehicles on limited and conditions are: often month, the closure will be permanent. alts the rutty and narrow road. Stewart © crowded. Millard, in checking Forest Service °'. allowed.the Forest Service to build a Gene Godfrey, owner of the Pine Air records, said his department never had HASTILY CONSTRUCTED ecology test area is complete helicopter landing pad on his property Camper: ound and town council legalaccess on the road. Pap Pee with cement bag litter. This p y owner claims he nei for use in emergencies or evacuations. peo is outspoken ica ae support matey, Page howd it has e pia rect with a hey Kees ciey ic put aeieels an Stewart claims needless vandalism tor eves ties they may compete doesn’t want anyone visiting Scot° i: ryone and thievery arise when morecampers with me. It’s really a shame to see chman’s Falls. * nthe come to the area. ‘You can’t separate = people cry and beg for a campsite.” In any case, permanent closure of the path eigc de-gt amd cog gar fa , like other memher gadiorn gpemnedcget lis mgetunphyad i doesn’t mind sharing ver of the Businessmen’s Association, scenic area for years to come — : icket others, but speaks of their litter and Would like to see “supervised cam. _evenif the Washington businessmen do destruction. ping’’ opened up. He calls for good succeed in winning more camping. sis on the South Yube River at. 1. Wartioeten is CR ES ee Ces a 66.2 ag WASHINGTON YOUNGSTERS head down. to ward, the.. » ebvious. but. property ‘owners: ance aihent: pennies. : vee hivee.thd scone eninrk ot 'lving:¢ on Shh wok aed, re . , ‘unwelcome visitors-out. — ech r] PER $e <e4 a a ee