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Forest Service reports new bighorn sheep herd, trail and campground plans for San Carlos Ranger District
Summary
San Carlos Ranger District staff told commissioners about boundary signage, a bighorn-sheep relocation, planned fuel-break work, campground openings and paving projects tied to Great American Outdoors Act funding.
Officials from the U.S. Forest Service’s San Carlos Ranger District updated the Custer County Board of Commissioners on planned and recent work in the district, including a recent bighorn sheep relocation, boundary posting in advance of fuel-break work, and campground and road work tied to federal funding.
Destiny Chapman, district ranger for the San Carlos Ranger District, and Jeff (last name not specified), who covers local National Forest System lands, said the Forest Service posted new boundary signs along Highways 96 and 165 where work adjacent to private property requires clear boundaries. The agency reported it worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to relocate bighorn sheep into the South Park/Scrabble drainage and said the newly translocated animals appear to be doing well.
Chapman told the board her office expects annual trail maintenance and partner-driven trail work to continue, noted that concessionaire-operated campgrounds normally open mid-May, and that certain asphalt in campground areas (such as at Lake Isabelle) may be removed and converted back to gravel where asphalt is difficult and expensive to maintain. The agency said those paving projects are tied to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act and that final scheduling depends on federal budget action.
Forest Service presenters also discussed public recreation events, the history of early Forest Service camp development in the area and partner coordination for trail clearing.
Why it matters
Boundary posting and planned fuel-break work relate to wildfire mitigation; the bighorn relocation is a wildlife restoration action coordinated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Campground and roadwork will affect visitors and local maintenance schedules; conversion of some paved campground surfaces back to gravel reflects a maintenance-cost decision.
Ending
Officials said they will continue to coordinate with county staff on schedule and road maintenance agreements; the board asked several operational questions and was told more detailed scheduling and funding information will follow as federal appropriations and operational plans are finalized.
