Community Briefs

Swan Valley AARP Meeting, Oct. 2

Swan Valley - The Swan Valley AARP will meet at noon Monday, Oct. 2 at the Swan Valley Community Hall. A potluck lunch hosted by Russ and Larrine Abolt will begin at 12:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., Joe Pecora, a Cowboy Poet and former Condon resident, will read some poetry and tell some stories.  The public is invited.

New Date for “Be Our Guest” Event

SEELEY LAKE - The date for the Sparrow’s Vine “Be Our Guest” Fundraising Banquet has been changed to Oct. 19 to accommodate the guest speaker. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Double Arrow Lodge.

Tickets are still available but they are going fast. Call Tera at Sparrow’s Vine to get yours, 677-1900.

Gated Roads On Archibald Loop Opened for Personal Use Firewood Cutting

SEELEY LAKE - Gates will be opened temporarily to permit firewood removal on the following Forest Service roads: 16688, 16687, 16655, 16870, 16729, 16727, 17669 and 17668 as displayed on map.

Roads will be open for a minimum of two weeks and no later than Oct. 20. The Ranger District may close roads sooner if deemed necessary based upon wood availability or resource impacts.

All roads have dead trees across them that will be the responsibility of the permit holder to cut in order to drive the road. Do not drive off-road to cut or retrieve trees or firewood.

THE RIGHT TREES:

Don’t cut within 150 feet of riparian areas, such as creeks, streams, rivers, marshes or general wetlands.

Cut only standing dead and downed trees.

Do not cut dead larch (tamarack) greater than 21” in diameter.

Do not cut live trees.

Reminders:

• You are required to pile or scatter slash (branches) away from roads, ditches and stream courses.

• Complete the “product quantity removal record”.

• Maximum six foot length firewood.

• Follow fire regulations for chainsaws and vehicles.

Firewood cutting will be subject to all terms and conditions of the firewood permit. Penalties for illegal cutting: Fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual; not more than $10,000 for an organization; up to 6 months in prison.

For more information please contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District Office at 406-677-2233.

Wilderness Sportsman’s Club Shooting Range Remains Closed

SEELEY LAKE - Due to the continued work on the Rice Ridge Fire, the shooting range on the north side of the Cottonwood Lakes Road is still closed. Club representatives are working with the Seeley Lake Ranger District to get it opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

New Closure on TNC Land Due to the Liberty Fire

The Nature Conservancy has revised the temporary public closures on lands within our Clearwater-Blackfoot Project, as a result of the Liberty Fire. Unless specified, all trails and roads that are within the boundaries described below are closed due to the fire and its associated repair work.

The Cow Creek Road is open to non-motorized public recreational use; recreationists are allowed to access the Cow Creek Road from the Seven-Mile Gold Creek Bridge. Please do not block bridges, gates or roadways.

These closures are necessary to provide protection to visitors from safety hazards associated with the Liberty Fire and post-fire repair work.

Our goal is to have the lands open by the general rifle season on Oct. 21.

We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation.

Check our website for updates to this information: nature.org/blackfoot.

CLOSURE AREAS:

T14N R16W: Section 6, The portion of Section 7 lying East of Gold Creek and North of the Cow Creek Road.

T14N R17W: The portions of Sections 1 and 12 lying East of Gold Creek.

T15N R16W: ALL of Sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, & 32.

T15N R17W: ALL of Sections 1, 13, 15, 21 thru 27, 35, & 36.

T16N R16N: The portions of Section 5 & 9 lying south of Placid Creek, TNC ownership in Sections 7, 19, 29, ALL of Sections 17, 21, 31, & 33.