Local News

Some Damaged Forest Roads Will Remain Closed This Year

By NCBI
Sep 28, 2011

Two National Forest roads that were damaged by debris flows during this year's wet spring will remain closed until next year. Ramsey Creek and Libby Creek roads will continue to have closures until repair work can be completed.

Forest Service road 5009-200, the Ramsey Creek road, is closed with a gate at the beginning of the 200 spur. A washout this spring caused significant road damage, including the loss of a culvert.

"Unfortunately, hunters and fall recreationists will not be able to drive to the popular hunting camp along Ramsey Creek road this fall," said Arlo VanderWoude, Vegetation Management Staff Officer for Methow Valley Ranger District.

A washout about 4.5 miles from the Forest boundary on the Libby Creek road, Forest Road number 4300, makes it impassable. The road can be driven from either direction but traffic cannot get through the barricaded washout area. Signs are posted on the 4300 road to let travelers know about the closure.

"While some damaged roads were repaired over the spring and summer, the resources needed to fix these two roads were not available," said Arlo VanderWoude, Vegetation Management Staff Officer for Methow Valley Ranger District. "We expect to get funding to repair roads through the Emergency Repairs to Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program and both the Ramsey Creek road and the Libby Creek road are at the top of our priority list."

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Regularly updated information about Forest road conditions on the Methow Valley Ranger District is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/okawen/conditions.



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