SEELEY LAKE - Road decommissioning work associated with the Rice Ridge post-fire response is underway on the Seeley Lake Ranger District in the Black Canyon, Little Shanley, Dunham Creek, and Morrell Creek areas. These roads were previously closed to public motorized use and were historically used for administrative use and vegetation management. However, portions of these roads are no longer needed and will be decommissioned for sediment reduction, slope stabilization, cost reduction and adherence with the 2018 Rice Ridge Salvage project decision. The public will still be able to access these areas by foot.
• The Black Canyon/Little Shanley roads: These are historic "log jammer" roads placed close together on a slope for logging purposes consistent with logging practices of the 1960-1970's. Rehabilitating these roads will remove road fill and culverts at stream crossings, provide slope stabilization, and reduce sediment delivery. A foot path will be retained in the area for hiking access.
• Morrell Creek Area: The Morrell area is a popular dispersed camping area. The first portion of this road will be retained for that opportunity. However, the end of this road, located in close proximity to Morrell Creek, will be decommissioned for stream health and resource benefit. Trail Creek Road 467 is located on a bench above the stream floodplain and essentially accesses the same areas.
• Dunham Creek area: The road being decommissioned in this area is located in the floodplain and is no longer needed for forest management. Pulling roads out of the floodplains effectively reduces sediment delivery to streams, increases tree growth and improves stream and floodplain health for fisheries. Dunham Creek Road 4388 is open yearlong and provides motorized access to the Dunham Creek drainage.
Crews have already initiated decommissioning activities and will continue to work until substantial snow events occur. Decommissioning work is anticipated to be completed in summer 2020.
If utilizing the area for recreation or hunting, please do not block-in construction crews or Forest Service employees with vehicles. Decommissioning activities may produce noise as heavy equipment is being used. The reshaped hillsides will have trees and other vegetation scattered to help retain soil moisture, soil rehabilitation and seed germination which will help the disturbed areas naturally regenerate more quickly. After decommissioning, these areas will still be accessible by foot and horseback for general public use.
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