USFS announces road closures

| March 5, 2005 8:00 PM

SANDPOINT — Forest Service officials have temporarily restricted certain types of vehicles on some forest roads for protection measures as warmer weather has created some muddy conditions.

According to Larry Elliot, road manager at the Sandpoint Ranger District, three roads in the district are now restricted with the potential of more being added.

Roads restricted are Trout Creek (Road 232), Sugarloaf Mountain (Road 2294) and Twin Creek (Road 277).

In the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, road manager Steve Hawkes placed restriction on the following roads, with the potential of more being added:

Katka (Road 314), Smith Creek (Road 281), and Tuin (Road 2669).

The Priest Lake Ranger District has restricted travel on Benton Creek (Road 597A) within the Priest Lake Experimental Forest.

Closing roads when they are wet, muddy or the frost begins to come out is necessary to prevent erosion and keep maintenance costs down. Road restrictions may be in effect for several weeks or more until they dry out or can be driven on with minimal damage.

For more information on National Forest current road conditions in your area, contact your local ranger district office — Sandpoint, 263-5111; Bonners Ferry, 267-5561; or Priest Lake, 443-2512.