The Fairfield Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest is proposing two separate projects in the Soldier Creek and Salt Creek drainages. The projects are as follows:
Soldier Creek Recreation Improvements
This project consists of improving three parking lots, installing two trail bridges and constructing two short segments of trail in the Soldier Creek drainage.
- Free Gold Trailhead - develop a new parking area for approximately l0 vehicles, install a vault toilet, fence the parking lot from cattle, construct a bridge across Free Gold Creek to access Phillips Creek Trail, improve signing to the parking lot and provide an information board. This parking lot would be constructed just inside the boundary of an lnventoried Roadless Area.
- Couch Summit Snowmobile Parking - increase the existing parking lot to accommodate an additional 10 vehicles w/trailers, fence the parking lot from cattle, and improve the signing to parking lot.
- Soldier Creek Trailhead - create a new transfer camp style recreation facility at the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork of Soldier Creek, develop parking area to accommodate approximately l0 vehicles w/trailers, install a vault toilet, fence off area from cattle, construct a bridge across N. Fork of Soldier Creek and create approx. one-half mile of new trail from parking lot to existing alignment of the North Fork Trail (non-motorized trail), construct unloading ramps, several horse corrals, approximately four defined camping sites with fire rings, improve signing to parking lot and provide an information board.
- Winter Trail Connector - this would connect the Couch Summit Parking lot to the junction of the South Fork/North Fork of Soldier Creek. A new trail bridge would be constructed over Soldier Creek. This trail could be groomed in the winter to alleviate crowding in the Soldier Mountain Ski Area parking lot.
The purpose of this project is to improve water quality, enhance snowmobile recreation, sustain Soldier Mountain Ski Area and enhance summertime recreation as viable income generators for the residents of Camas County, as spelled out in the 2012 Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Salt Creek Warming Hut
This proposal is for a new warming hut facility and vault toilet along the Salt-Bowns groomed snowmobile route. This new facility will be located south of the Salt-Bowns sheep corrals, approximately 5 miles west of Couch Summit, adjacent to Forest Road #010. This project will enhance the winter recreation experience as well as increase winter travel safety by providing a place where recreationists can safely get out of the elements while in the backcountry. Components of this project include the authorization and installation of an enclosed shelter and vault toilet whose primary use will be in the winter months by snowmobilers.
This project will aid in accomplishing the 2012 Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan by providing an array of winter recreation experiences including improved backcountry winter recreation and safety while enhancing snowmobile recreation opportunities in Camas County.
Public Input
Comments, issues and concerns specific to this proposal are appreciated and will better help us develop and evaluate the proposal. Although comments are welcome throughout the planning process, providing comments by March 22 will allow time for your input to be considered during analysis. À decision on this proposal is expected by the middle of September 2019 . Submit written comments on issues related to the proposed operation to:
USDA-Forest Service
Sawtooth National Forest, Fairfield Ranger District
P.O. Box 189
Fairfield, lD 83327
Or submit comments via e-mail to: comments-intermtn-sawtooth-fairfield@fs.fed.us with a subject line of "Soldier Creek Recreation Improvements" OR "Salt Creek Warming Hut.”
If you have questions regarding these proposals contact Steve Frost or Jennifer Stevens at (208) 764-3202.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR, Part l, Subpart B, Section 1.27(d), any person may request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOLA) permits such confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within l0 days.