Public Can Comment on Sawtooth Forest Grant Applications

The public has a chance to comment on a number of projects the Sawtooth National Forest hopes to get state grants for this year.

The Forest Service said the State of Idaho will be giving grants with money made from boating, recreation, and off-road vehicle stickers it sells to the public, those grants are available to various other public land agencies. If an agency applies for a grant they must also be able to match the funds or use in-kind contributions.

Some of the proposed projects include improvements to the campgrounds at Thompson Flat and Twin Lakes in the Minidoka Ranger District; the purchase of a motorcycle for law enforcement; and maintenance work for motorbike trails in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, among other.

The Sawtooth National Forest has published a list of projects they intend to use the grant funds for if they are awarded and have asked the public to comment on the proposed projects. Officials say people should submit a comment before January 16 and contact the individual listed on the proposed project you can find below:

LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District

PROJECT: Ketchum Ranger District Trail Maintenance 2021- Recreation Trails Program, (RTP Grant). This project will fund trail maintenance on 173 miles of the 400 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails on the Ketchum Ranger District. Trail work will mitigate resource damage, address safety concerns and enhance trail opportunities.

Contact: Zach Poff zachary.poff@usda.gov (208) 622-0087 or Renee Catherin renee.catherin@usda.gov (208) 622 0096 or by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83353.

LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District

PROJECT: Rooks Creek Trail Restoration Project - Off-Road Motor Vehicle Fund (ORMV). This grant will be used to restore Rooks Creek Trail (#145) that was compromised after exceptionally heavy rain and avalanche events following the Beaver Creek Fire. Once restored, Rooks Creek Trail will reopen a loop option from the Osberg Ridgeline Trail to Warm Springs Road.

Contact: Zach Poff zachary.poff@usda.gov (208) 622-0087 or Renee Catherin renee.catherin@usda.gov (208) 622 0096 or by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83353.

LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District

Project: Off-Road Motor Vehicle Fund – Motorized Avalanche Education Materials: This grant is a collaborative effort between Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the USFS Sawtooth Avalanche Center. The funds will be used to print ‘Daily Flow’ books and accompanying stickers. The ‘Daily Flow’ is an acclaimed, 147-page booklet recently developed by motorized avalanche educators at the Sierra Avalanche Center. The booklets and accompanying stickers would be given to IDPR and avalanche center motorized avalanche education class participants, snowmobile club members, and motorized equipment dealers to give to customers.

Contact: Submit comments to Scott Savage at 208-622-0095, via e-mail at scott.savage@usda.gov or by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340.

LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District, Sawtooth NRA, Fairfield Ranger District, Boise NF, Salmon-Challis NF

Project: Off-Road Motor Vehicle Fund - Sawtooth Avalanche Center Forecasting and Education Program: This grant will be used to produce daily avalanche forecasts and warnings for approximately 1450 square miles of National Forest lands near Stanley, Banner Summit, Atlanta, Smiley Creek, Carey, and Fairfield. This terrain was not within any avalanche center’s forecast area prior to this winter. The grant will also improve forecast accuracy, public outreach, and avalanche education efforts within this large area and in surrounding communities.

Contact: Submit comments to Scott Savage at 208-622-0095, via e-mail at scott.savage@usda.gov or by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340.

LOCATION: Fairfield Ranger District

Project: Willow Creek Campground & Transfer Camp Improvements – RV Fund – This grant request will allow us to improve Willow Creek Campground and Willow Creek Transfer Camp by replacing picnic tables, fire rings, signs and site markers where needed, adding utility tables, and replacing the aging vault toilets with two new ADA compliant vault toilets. In Willow Creek Campground we also plan to add new sites where possible, improve RV parking spurs and define campsites. Repairs will also be made at the Willow Creek Transfer Camp horse facilities, parking, and ADA loading ramps.

Contact: Submit comments to Steve Frost at 208-764-3202, via e-mail at steven.frost@usda.gov or by mail to Fairfield Ranger District, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, ID, 83327.

LOCATION: Fairfield Ranger District

Project: Motorized Trail Grant - ORMV, Motorbike or RTP Fund – The intent of this grant is to partially fund our non-motorized and motorized trail crews to conduct trail maintenance and tree removal on over 200 miles of trails on the Fairfield Ranger District; purchase and install trail signs and OHV cattle guards; and conduct heavy maintenance utilizing a trail dozer on OHV trails across the District.

Contact: Submit comments to Steve Frost at 208-764-3202, via e-mail at steven.frost@usda.gov or by mail to Fairfield Ranger District, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, ID, 83327.

LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Project: 2021 ORMV Grand Prize Boardwalk and Heavy Maintenance: Motorized Trail Projects (ORMV) funds will be requested to address heavy maintenance needs on 90 miles of motorbike trails located on SNRA. Work will also involve building 25 feet of puncheon boardwalk over a perineal stream on the Grand Prize trail #112. Other work will involve removing trees and other obstructions, brushing, improving drainage, repairing trail tread, signing, and other repairs and improvements to motorized trails on the SNRA.

Contact: Kent May 208-727-5011, via email at kent.may@usda.gov or by mail to Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340.

LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Project: 2021 RTP Livingston Mill Bridge Replacements and Heavy Maintenance: Heavy trail maintenance projects (RTP) funds will be requested to address heavy maintenance needs on 100 miles of non-motorized trails in and around the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness. Also, replace two deteriorated bridges on Livingston Mill trail #047, and remove two other deteriorated puncheon boardwalks and replace with hardened fords. Other work will involve removing trees and other obstructions, brushing, signing, improving drainage, repairing trail tread, and other trail-related repairs and improvements in and around the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness.

Contact: Kent May 208-727-5011, via email at kent.may@usda.gov or by mail to Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340.

LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Project: Off-Road Motor Vehicle Fund: Funds will be requested to assist in the purchase of a Motorcycle. The equipment will be requested and utilized by the Law Enforcement and Investigations branch of the Sawtoooth National Forest. The current equipment is used frequently. Equipment will be used as part of the general patrol of the Sawtooth National Forest, including education, search and rescue, and enforcement of laws and regulations on the forest. Law Enforcement and Investigations will utilize the equipment to improve the visitor experience while on the forest, mitigate public health and safety hazards as well as assist in emergency and search and rescue situations.

Contact: Greg Stuart, 208-774-3035 via email at Greg.Stuart@USDA.gov or by mail to Stanley Ranger Station HC 64, Box 9900, Stanley, ID 83278.

LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

PROJECT: Stanley Ranger Station Dump Station Improvements Phase 1: Recreational vehicle (RV) funds will be requested to address aging infrastructure associated with the dump station, and replacing deficient utilities associated with the dump station. The project includes expanding the capability of the dump station to reduce wait times.

CONTACT: Brian Anderson 208-774-3034 btanderson@fs.fed.us.

LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Project: Alturas Lake Recreation Area Water System Improvements – RV Fund. This grant request will allow for a new water well to be developed and connected to the existing water system, including installation of new submersible pump, pumphouse, and appurtenant items; it will allow for the removal of the submersible pump/piping/electrical components from the existing water well located at the Alturas Lake Tent Campground so that a new handpump can be installed; and it will allow for the reconfiguration of the water service to the Alturas Lake Outlet Picnic Area. Upgrades will also be made to the Alturas Lake Outlet Picnic Area parking lot, access roadway, restroom, site signage, and other site amenities.

Contact: Submit comments to Braidy Richins at 208.423.7545, via email at braidy.richins@usda.gov or by mail to Sawtooth National Forest, 370 American Avenue, Jerome, Idaho, 83338.

Location: Minidoka Ranger District

Project: Thompson Flat Campground RV Enhancement Project: This grant will be used to replace fence around the Thompson Flat and Twin Lakes Campgrounds. The goal of this project is to exclude livestock from the camping areas to create a more enjoyable camping experience. The current fence has sustained significant damage over several years due to the heavy snow load at high elevation. The design of the fence replacement will feature a three rail steel jack fence which should require less maintenance and have a much longer life expectancy.

Contact: Jace Stott (208)677-8290, via email at jace.stott@usda.gov or by mail to Minidoka Ranger District, 2306 Hiland Avenue, Burley, ID 83318.