Forest Service: Wellington Creek bridge washed away; federal aid sought as flood repairs loom
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Summary
Sandpoint Ranger District told Bonner County commissioners that December floods washed out the Wellington Creek bridge and closed several Forest Service roads; the district is pursuing an IRFAA declaration to seek Federal Highway Administration assistance while weighing whether to rebuild in kind or lower maintenance levels to speed future repairs.
Sandpoint Ranger District staff told Bonner County commissioners on Jan. 13 that December's floods prompted multiple Forest Service road closures and destroyed the Wellington Creek bridge, leaving long-term access uncertain.
"The Wellington Creek Bridge is gone," District Ranger Andrew Scallon said, describing aerial images that showed no remaining structure. Engineer Joe Bridal lehi added: "It was a 70 foot long steel girder bridge with 1 concrete abutment" that was washed away by "pretty significant flows." The losses prompted closure orders for sections of the Upper Pack River and other access roads.
Scallon said the district is pursuing a declaration under the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (IRFAA) process so the Federal Highway Administration can assist with analysis and funding. "We're working through our internal agency channels to work towards getting the declaration of an IRFAA event," he said, while cautioning that IRFAA typically "allows for...replace in kind."
Commissioners and staff discussed whether to restore washed roads to their prior maintenance level (passable by passenger cars) or to reclassify some routes as higher-clearance, four-wheel-drive access that could be repaired more quickly after major events. Scallon said that choice could change how drainage structures are designed and how quickly crews or contractors could return the route to service.
County officials offered to share damage data to support a federal declaration. One commissioner cited a county road-and-bridge estimate of about $650,000 related to roadway damage and urged coordination with the state emergency-management point of contact.
Scallon said the district's full assessment of National Forest System damage is incomplete because weather and contracting limited helicopter reconnaissance; ground assessments were conducted where possible. He noted long replacement timelines for bridges and that a combination of stream-stabilization, realignment or reduced maintenance levels are among the alternatives the agency will analyze.
The meeting produced no formal actions on repairs; staff said further analysis and interagency coordination will guide whether federal funding applies and what repair approach is chosen.