Forest Service outlines Lamoille paving, fuels work and bridge replacement

Josh Nichols, district ranger for the Forest Service in Elko, gave a multi‑point update on projects in the Lamoille area, including road paving, erosion repairs and fuels work. He said the paving project for roads and a parking lot is scheduled to start on the 7th, with a 30‑day contract window; the Forest Service is aiming for completion around Aug. 1 if crews move quickly. Nichols said an MSE wall reconstruction above the Boy Scout camp has been put out to bid with the county overseeing bids and an expected construction window in early–mid September lasting roughly 2–3 weeks.

Nichols described an Island Lake Trail bridge replacement slated for October and said the contractor will pre‑fabricate the structure. "They're gonna fabricate the bridge and actually fly it in via helicopter and set it down," he said. He cautioned that short, temporary parking‑area closures or road staging may be needed during the lift but called it a "fairly minor project." He also outlined fuels‑reduction work: a 1,000‑foot fuel break in Shantytown has started, crews are coordinating with Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) and Elko County, and partners are discussing creation of local fuel‑wood banks. "There's probably 4,500 acres of stuff that we've cut, probably that much on BLM as well," Nichols said, describing available material for fuel‑wood distribution to tribes and residents.

Nichols reported broader NEPA progress: an aerial weeds EA for the forest has been signed, which enables aerial herbicide treatments, and a hazardous fuels EA covering much of the forest has been signed but is under objection by several environmental groups. He said an EHRM project covering the Ruby Mountains and the southern end of East Humboldt is expected to reach a decision by the end of the month and that, if finalized, roughly 80% of the district would be covered under fuels NEPA authorizations that could allow targeted grazing, chaining and prescribed fire.