Seasonal Road Closure in South Hills to Begin

The following information was issued by The Bureau of Land Management:

BURLEY, ID -- The Burley Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office will implement a seasonal road closure Jan. 16 to March 15 in the South Hills area.  This closure, which has gone into effect each winter since 2000, is designed to prevent resource damage and to protect crucial mule deer winter range and sage-grouse habitat.  Signs have been posted in the area notifying the public of the closure, and gates have been installed to prevent trespass.

The following roads, as well as any two-tracks or trails tied to these roads, will be closed to motorized travel from Jan. 16 to March 15, 2016:

Dry Creek

Cherry Spring

Indian Springs (Closure begins 1.5 miles south of Foothills Road)

The seasonal closure applies to all motorized vehicles except those specifically authorized to access the area.  Such authorization is provided for search and rescue, emergency medical services and law enforcement personnel, as well as administratively approved actions such as livestock grazing activity, access to private lands and resource monitoring or research studies.  The area is open to the public for non-motorized use.

“The importance of the south hills as crucial mule deer winter range cannot be overstated.  Any excessive disturbance is perceived as a threat by the deer causing them to deplete their fat reserves and move away from their important foraging areas.  Increased motorized use of public lands which is evident throughout the south hills could seriously jeopardize the survival and productivity of these animals,” said Jeremy Bisson, BLM Wildlife Biologist.

The Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) supports the need to protect wildlife in the area. “The habitat is important to maintain mule deer herds over-wintering in the south hills, and the area is popular for hunting and wildlife viewing during other periods of the year,” said Kelton Hatch, Fish and Game Regional Conservation Educator.