Forest Service studies roads, trails to the west of Lakeside

The Daily Inter Lake

The Swan Lake Ranger District is seeking public comments on how to manage roads and trails in the 46,000-acre block of national forest land west of Lakeside known as the "Island Unit."

Suggestions from the public will be considered in developing a travel analysis for the area that straddles Blacktail and Haskill mountains.

District officials have contemplated the addition of an all-terrain vehicle trail network and already have received some input from a previous planning process.

"The district completed a roads analysis for the Island Unit in 2001 so we are not starting from scratch on a travel analysis for the area," District Ranger Steve Brady said.

The analysis that is developed will be used as a guide for future site-specific projects.

There are several projects that the public has expressed interest in for the area, such as the creation of a trail system from the Foy's Lake area to Blacktail Mountain and a hiking trail from the Lakeside area to the top of Blacktail Mountain.

The district is asking for public comments before June 22. For more information, contact Andrew Johnson at 837-7507.