SANTIAM PASS - The mule deer and the chipmunks like to roam the stunted pine forests that cover the base of Mount Washington.

And so do the motorcycles.

But if you're an off-highway vehicle rider who likes to hit the trails at Santiam Pass, you might soon find more directions regulating where OHVs can and can't go.

The McKenzie River Ranger District is conducting an environmental assessment of the trails around Big Lake and Hoodoo Ski Mountain in order to develop a set of marked trails for off-highway vehicle use.

Until now, the roads and trails have largely been unregulated, and OHV riders have picked their own course through the high-elevation forest.

U.S. Forest Service officials say this has caused some problems. But they are not blaming the trail riders.

"We haven't done a real good job over the last 20 years of identifying where people can and can't ride in that area," said district trails and wilderness manager Steve Otoupalik, who's leading the Santiam Pass Summer Motorized Recreation Project. "Most OHV clubs want to be doing the right thing, but we haven't provided them the information of what is the right thing."

Otoupalik said the Santiam Pass area has seen increased OHV use over the last 20 years, which has led to some concerns over soil disturbance, conflicts with other forest users and deterioration of one section of the Santiam Wagon Road, which passes through the area.

"The historic Santiam Wagon Road has received a tremendous impact from OHV users, and we're looking at ways to better protect it as a cultural resource," Otoupalik said.

Additionally, some riders climb the slopes at Hoodoo Ski Area, increasing soil erosion there.

The study is also looking at ways to balance the interests of OHV riders with those of hikers, campers and horse riders. Three and a half miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail passes through the area.

The ranger district hopes to have an environmental assessment completed by the end of October, so interested parties have time to travel to the area with the assessment and respond within the 30-day public comment period.

The U.S. Forest Service has held public meetings about the project in Sisters, Eugene and other towns.

Otoupalik said the project would most likely call for identification of certain existing roads and trails for OHV use, with the possibilty of constructing some trail segments to connect dead-end spurs with other roads.

A staging area with trail maps would likely be set up, and dispersed camping areas would be designated.

"In a nutshell, what this project does is designate roads, and if you're not on a designated road or trail, you're in violation," said district planner Al Brown.

Salem rider Dan Bobo said he did not have a problem with the Forest Service regulating trail use as long as it doesn't try to outlaw motorized recreation in the area.

"I spent two tours in the Middle East with the military, so I understand the need for rules and order," Bobo said as he laced up his riding boots along Forest Road 2690. "But we pay our taxes and we pay fees to the American Motorcycle Association, so we deserve a place to ride."

While ranger district officials did not know how many miles of trail might be given to OHV users, the area being considered covers more than 13,000 acres. It's bordered by Highway 20 on the north, the Willamette-Deschutes National Forest boundary to the east, the Mount Washington Wilderness to the south and Forest Road 2676, or Eno Road, to the west.

The assessment will be posted to recipients of the U.S. Forest Service's mailing list.

For more information or to be added to the list, call the McKenzie River Ranger District at (541) 822-3381.

Patrick Lair can be reached at 258-6441 or patrick.lair@lee.net.