Forest Service closes road in Craig Co., Botetourt Co. due to off-road damage

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Written by United States Forest Service   
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Forest Service has placed an emergency road closure on Patterson Creek Road in Craig and Botetourt counties. Over the past two weekends, people driving off-road vehicles have caused approximately $30,000 worth of damage. Law Enforcement Officers have cited 39 individuals for multiple illegal offenses. John Price, the Law Enforcement Officer on scene, assures the public “We are committed to stopping this abuse of the national forest and we intend to make those convicted pay to repair the damage.”

The damage to the environment is extensive. Illegal cross-country travel has destroyed vegetation and wildlife openings. Mud-bogging in the creek, riparian areas, and on the road itself caused extensive erosion. Five days after the damage occurred, the creek remained cloudy from sedimentation affecting water quality in Patterson Creek. It will take 6-12 months before the area will once again provide food and nesting benefits for wildlife. Eastern Divide District Ranger Cindy Schiffer states “We are deeply saddened that people would destroy our public lands and we will implement measures to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Locked gates are now in place on Patterson Creek Road (FDR 184) in Craig County and at the intersection of SR 612 and O & I Road (FDR 5020) in Botetourt County, restricting access on 6.5 miles of FDR 184 and FDR 818. Gates are locked until further notice.

Damage to roads during the winter and spring is a long-standing problem. Most road damage occurs in January, February and March when roads are soft from freeze/thaw patterns followed by spring rains. Even legal activities and proper use of the roads may cause damage during this time period. Ranger Schiffer is considering implementing seasonal road closures on most Forest Service roads on the Eastern Divide Ranger District from January through March of each year.

Source: http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/forest_service_closes_road_in_craig_co._botetourt_co._due_to_off-road_damag/31568/


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