Work sought to protect Clark Fork bridges

SANDPOINT - Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is being asked to shepherd a federal request to remove debris in the flood-damaged Lightning Creek drainage to protect highway and railroad bridges in Clark Fork.

The corps is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take “advanced measures” by removing tons of woody debris pushed down the drainage by flooding in 2006.

The flood event pushed the debris downstream toward the Lightning Creek Bridge on Highway 200 and officials are concerned additional flood events could cause material to become lodged beneath the bridge, a vital access to point to Clark Fork.

“The concern is with the snowpack that we have and the potential for high water or flooding that that debris will rise up with the water and then create hazards or damage to the Highway 200 bridge and/or the train trestle that's below that,” said Bob Howard, director of Emergency Management for Bonner County.

The “advanced measures” request is being channeled through the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security and the governor's office. Howard said it's unclear if the work will address the massive amount of cobbles and rocks that were pushed downstream during the flooding in 2006.

“My primary concern is the woody debris,” said Howard.

Record-setting precipitation in the fall of 2006 did an extensive amount of damage to U.S. Forest Service transportation infrastructure, forcing much of the drainage to be closed to public access.

The flooding caused an estimated $3 million in damage to roads, trails, culverts and bridges in the drainage, which is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts of all types.

The Forest Service has developed a plan to restore two-thirds of damaged or destroyed roads. Road No. 419, the backbone of transportation network in the drainage would be restored. A number of roads branching off 419 would be restored, but some won't, including the Rattle Creek Road.

Factors in road closures or conversions include limited funding, water quality requirements and pending litigation over the amount of secure habitat for federally protected grizzly bears.

The Forest Service is seeking approximately $2.5 million in Federal Highway Administration relief funding to conduct the repairs. The drainage is the wettest in the state and beset with flooding problems on a periodic basis.

“There's no guarantee we'll get that 2 1/2 million,” said Sandpoint District Ranger Dick Kramer.

Kramer said FHWA wants to see repairs that will last instead of ones that will only survive until the next flood event. The restoration plan is undergoing an environmental assessment and various alternatives are being studied.

“We hope in June that we'll come out with a decision on which alternative to go with,” said Kramer.