When Roads Go Bad

The following images illustrate more clearly then words, fact sheets, or talking points ever could, just how desperately needed the Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Initiative truly is!!

Severe rain storms can be particularly destructive to forest roads.  The Pacific Northwest has suffered several severe storms in the past decade and the roads and watersheds have paid a disproportionate price. Culverts can be barriers for fish as shown below as well.  Because roads are built with an "engineered life span" (typically 30-50 years) and many of those of national forests have reached the end of this period, they can fail even without big storm to hasten their end.  

 Photo: USFS    Location: MB-SQ NF                                                                             Photo: Gifford Pinchot Task Force   Location: GPNF

Photo: Pilchuck Aud. Soc. Location: MB-SQ NF                                                                             Photo: WildlandsCPR  

Photo: WildlandsCPR   Location: Clearwater NF, ID                                           Photo: Pilchuck Audubon Society  Location: Washington

Photo: WildlandsCPR    Location: Flathead NF, MT                                                         Photo: Mark Allen Wilson

Photo: Pilchcuck Aud. Soc. Location:MB-SQ NF                                                   Photo: Pilchuck Aud. Soc.  Location:MB-SQ NF