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Trail construction underway at Magone Lake
Release Date: Jul 26, 2017
The Magone Project Final Record of Decision was signed in May of 2017, and authorized 26.3 new miles of trail in the planning area, including 24.6 miles of new hiking and biking trails, centered around Magone Lake, one of the most popular recreation destinations on the Malheur National Forest.
As part of this decision, local organization Eastern Oregon Trail Alliance (EOTA) agreed to take over funding, design, construction, and maintenance of the new trail system. Involved since early planning phases, the EOTA has been instrumental in helping identify trail design to: optimize rider enjoyment and experience and ensure the trails meet single-track mountain biking standards such as those specified by the International Mountain Biking Association.
To address concerns raised during the scoping and comment periods for the Magone Project, construction of new biking trails in this area was authorized in three phases, with the first phase beginning this summer.
The Magone trail network is one of several projects EOTA is leading, including a bike park in John Day and trail network on Bureau of Land Management land 15 miles west of Burns, in an effort to bring quality recreation opportunities to the region. Community leaders and local business owners have previously expressed the hope that the new trail system around Magone Lake could increase the attractiveness of our community, enticing visitors back again in subsequent visits.Two volunteer trail building days have occurred so far, in June and July, and the next is scheduled for Saturday, August 12, 2017. The EOTA hopes to construct a portion of the trails within the immediate vicinity of Magone Lake utilizing local volunteers, with the first trail segment nearing completion. Much of the subsequent trail construction will be performed by professional trail crews funded by EOTA.
Volunteers who wish to join in this effort should email info@eotatrails.com or visit Eastern Oregon Trail Alliance on Facebook.
If you would like to find out more about the different recreational opportunities on the Malheur National Forest, please stop in at any of our offices, or visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/.
-USFS-
PDF News Release: Trail construction underway at Magone Lake