A draft environmental impact statement that analyzes Rubicon Trail resource improvements and issuing an easement to El Dorado County for the operation and maintenance of the road is available for public review and comment.

Copies of the draft EIS are available on the Eldorado National Forest website and by contacting the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Placerville.

The final EIS is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.

The Rubicon Trail is a historic road that passes through the Eldorado National Forest. The DEIS analyzes the environmental effects of granting an easement to El Dorado County for segments that cross National Forest system lands.

The preferred alternative allows the county to construct a bridge at Ellis Creek, replace a bridge constructed by the Friends of the Rubicon Trail and construct erosion control features. The preferred alternative also authorizes the construction of six toilets at various locations along the trail, construction of a low water crossing at Buck Island Lake outlet, rehabilitation and closing of specified two miles of unauthorized routes, designation of access areas for dispersed recreation and the addition of one half mile of new routes to provide dispersed recreation opportunities.

Open houses will be hosted by the Forest Service regarding the draft EIS in Placerville at the Forest Supervisor’s Office on Dec. 14 and Jan. 11 from 5-8pm.