Five conservation groups filed a lawsuit today (Monday) to prevent the Forest Service from building a road through the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area between Reedsport and Coos Bay. The case will be heard in Federal District Court in Eugene.

The Siuslaw National Forest has proposed building a 14 to 24 foot wide trail from Riley Ranch Campground through the Oregon Dunes. 

Josh Laughlin is with Eugene based Cascadia Wildlands. His organization and four others are suing to prevent the mile long road from being built.

Laughlin: “It would facilitate more illegal off highway vehicle riding. Currently there’s all kinds of illegal riding going on it what are supposed to be closed areas that were originally designed to protect rare and important vegetation and habitats.”

Laughlin says there are already thousands of miles of Oregon Dunes which allow off road vehicles. He says the lawsuit is pushing for better protection of areas designated as roadless where there is sensitive habitat.