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Committee presses for repairs, documents vandalism and timbering impacts on local trails
Summary
Members flagged extensive trail damage (Reader trails, washouts) allegedly worsened by timber operations, discussed repair options including dozer and drilling work, and reported vandalism to interpretive panels; staff will coordinate inspections and possible interagency responses.
Committee members raised urgent maintenance and resource‑protection concerns, urging the county and land managers to prioritize repairs where logging and heavy equipment have damaged trail drainage and surfaces.
Members described multiple sections — notably the Reader trails and lower washes — where logging traffic and poor drainage have left deep ruts, large washouts and unsafe conditions for recreational users. One member urged the timber operators to finish certain areas and said the damage requires dozer work to refill ruts and re‑establish drainage. Members suggested documenting damage (coordinates, photos) and submitting comments during upcoming timber project comment periods.
Separately, staff reported two instances of vandalism on public lands: a metal silhouette at the East Wedge overlook, concreted into rock, had been removed, and there were reports the Rochester interpretive panel was damaged; the committee asked staff and the BLM to inspect both sites within a week and recommended installing more signage or cameras where vandalism recurs. Archaeological staff had not yet flagged the damage but committee members said the panel breakage warranted an immediate field check.
On enforcement and public‑safety concerns, members also described low‑flying helicopters associated with sheep hunting and requested coordination with law enforcement and permit authorities to investigate potentially unsafe operations.
Direct quote from the meeting: "They need to go in...it needs to be fixed now, not in 10 years," a member said of the Reader trail repairs.
Next steps: Members agreed to gather photo documentation of damaged sites, staff will follow up with BLM and Forest Service about repair resources and comment periods, and a field inspection was requested within a week for the reported panel vandalism.
