The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comment through the end of this year on a proposal to build a new road in the Fishlake National Forest and order the temporary closure of another.
"We opened one road in the Salina Canyon area this past year, but had some people cuss us while others praised us for it," said Dick Allred, Richfield District Ranger."We have proposed two options for a new road and want the public to tell us which route is preferred," Allred said.
The area near the head of Yogo Creek was opened this year, eastward to the Beaver Dams, the ranger said. But hunters have complained the road extension and noisy vehicles caused animals to be driven from the area.
Allred said the Forest Service "wants to make an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) route that would be more aesthetic and tie in with the proposed Great Western Trail Route."
One proposal would extend the route southward from the Beaver Dams. The other would close that route, instead extending a dead end road southward to the top of the divide between Yogo and Neoche canyons.
"We want written comments about either one or both of the proposals by Jan. 1 so that public desires can be considered in making the decisions," Allred said.
Public hearings will be held in either March or April on the proposed closure, he said. Meetings will not be scheduled on the proposed road extension.