PUBLIC LANDS -- North Idaho forest roads are being surveyed this year for their safety, environmental impact and value and the public is invited to comment.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forest has 4,113 miles of road open to the public plus 4,000 miles of brushed-in or stored roads, said Jason Kirchner, Forest Service spokesman in Coeur d'Alene. The number of overdue road maintenance projects continues to grow, while public use is increasing, he said.

"Roads that cannot be adequately maintained can be dangerous to visitors and threaten forest health," he said. "They can increase sedimentation into rivers and streams, degrading water quality and impacting fish and wildlife."

This year's travel analysis study will begin to help the the Forest Service prioritize limited resources to manage roads used by visitors, while protecting sources of clean water, he said.

“The travel analysis study is not a proposal or decision, but is intended to help inform possible future road management planning," said Mary Farnsworth, Idaho Panhandle National Forest supervisor. "We will need public input to inform the analysis, but this will not be a formal public comment process. Before any projects are implemented on the ground the public will have an opportunity to comment through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.”

A preliminary analysis of the current road system has been completed. Public workshops sharing the results and seeking public input are scheduled throughout North Idaho starting next week June (see below). The final transportation system analysis will be factored into future forest activities including forest restoration projects, timber sales and recreation improvement plans.

Additional information is available on the Idaho Panhandle NF’s Travel Analysis Web Page.

Comment using the online mapping tool through July 3.

Public workshops on the travel analysis are set for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. as follows:

• June 9, 2015, St. Joe Ranger District, 222 S. 7th St., Suite 1, St. Maries.
• June 10, 2015, Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Silver Valley Office,  173 Commerce Dr., Smelterville.
• June 11, 2015, IPNF Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene.
• June 16, 2015, Sandpoint Ranger District, 1602 Ontario Street, Sandpoint.
• June 17, 2015, Bonners Ferry Ranger District, 6286 Main Street, Bonners Ferry.
• June 18, 2015, Priest Lake Ranger District, 32203 Hwy. 57, Priest River.