In brief: National Forest officials advise caution as roads open early

A skimpy snowpack is opening roads in the region’s national forests earlier than normal, but it’s not judicious to drive up every seemingly open road. In some cases, it’s illegal, public land managers say.

Barricades at some snowmobile trailhead sites have been removed in Kootenai County, said Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Burns.

“This means that the forest roads normally open to full-size vehicles, except when they are groomed for snowmobiles, are now open for travel.”

However, several feet of snow still clog some sections of roads and many roads are covered with ice, he said.

National Forest districts in Idaho, Washington and Oregon are concerned about open roads enticing four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to go too far on soft roads and cause rutting that can lead to washouts.

  “With the warmer weather we understand that the public wants to explore their National Forest, however some roads have not firmed up and traveling on them is causing damage to the roadbed,” said Tom Montoya, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest supervisor.

Damaging public roads is illegal, and so is riding off road and ripping up wet vegetation and meadows in a recreational pursuit known as mud bogging.

“It is unlawful to operate a vehicle on- or off-road in a manner that damages or unreasonably disturbs land and vegetation,” said Joani Bosworth, Umatilla National Forest spokeswoman.

“Although mudding has been glorified by television advertisements designed to sell four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as in many movies and extreme sport videos, the act is not only illegal, it is very destructive to the environment,” says a news release from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

ATV enthusiasts should check the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Maps before heading out on national forest roads, Deputy Burns said.

“Some trails are open year round, some open April 1 and others on May 22,” he said.

Boating safety offered

A free boating safety course is being offered by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Recreation Safety Section on March 21.

Sign up: (208)446-2250 or rbjelland@kcgov.us.

Fundraiser for Turnbull

The annual fundraising banquet for The Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is March 14 in Cheney.

Info: fotnwr.org.