Rapid City, SD – With continued spring rain and melting snow, road conditions on the Black Hills National Forest remain treacherous. Gravel roads that are normally passable are becoming rutted and damaged as a result of traffic on soft spots due to the sustained moisture this spring.

Dave Plummer, north zone engineer for the Black Hills National Forest, encourages the public to not venture out in the Forest until drier conditions prevail. “Most of the roads in the hills are unsuitable for driving and will continue to be for the next few weeks as spring moisture softens road surfaces” said Plummer. “Rutting of the roadway is damaging, and when rutting is observed on a road, use of that road should be discontinued until it dries out or is repaired.”

Forest trails and roads are still impacted by winter storm Atlas that downed trees and branches throughout the Forest. Ben Schumacher, Recreation and Trails Technician for the Black Hills National Forest has been out assessing the trails this spring. “The ground is saturated and high winds from spring storms continue to blow down trees,” said Schumacher. “Once the trails dry, we will be able to get out and start opening them up. It is going to take a while; there are a lot of trees and branches down across trails and roads.”

Damaging forest roads and lands is against the law. The legal and financial consequences can be steep, and damages done to the land can take years to repair. Violators on all federal lands can face fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail, in addition to paying restitution costs.

Vehicles that try to pass through roads with mud, snow, puddles and soft shoulders can become stuck and stranded. “Be a good steward of the land and be safe,” said Scott Jacobson, Public Affairs Officer for the Black Hills National Forest. “Wait until the roads are dry and passable before heading out into the Forest.”

  by  andyarthur