Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials are conducting a study of current national forest system roads throughout North Idaho and will complete this study by the end of 2015.

According to Forest Service officials, the number of overdue road maintenance projects continues to grow, while public use is increasing.

On the Idaho Panhandle National Forest there are currently 4,113 miles of road open to the public, and an additional 4,000 miles of brushed-in, or stored roads that remain on the landscape.

Roads that cannot be adequately maintained can be dangerous to visitors and threaten forest health. They can increase sedimentation into rivers and streams, degrading water quality and affecting fish and wildlife.

The travel analysis study will begin to help the IPNF prioritize limited resources to manage roads used by visitors, while better protecting sources of clean water and a more healthy forest.

"The travel analysis study is not a proposal or decision, but is intended to help inform possible future road management planning," said Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth, in a press release. "We will need public input to inform the analysis, but this will not be a formal public comment process. Before any projects are implemented on the ground the public will have an opportunity to comment through the National Environmental Policy Act process."

A preliminary analysis of the current road system has been completed. Public workshops sharing the results and seeking public input are scheduled throughout North Idaho in early June. Additionally, members of the public may access an online interactive mapping tool at http://arcg.is/1HL3yJ8 to provide electronic comments. Specifically, members of the public are asked to provide information about the overall benefits and environmental risks posed by specific road segments across the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This information will be used to inform a final analysis of the national forest's current road system. The final transportation system analysis will be used to inform future project level National Environmental Policy analyses including forest restoration projects, timber sales, recreation improvement plans and other forest projects.

For more information on the IPNF travel analysis study, please contact Jay Kirchner at (208) 765-7211 or jdkirchner@fs.fed.us. Additional information is also available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf.

Members of the public may submit input using the online mapping tool, by mail, or in person at one of six public workshops. Comments will be accepted through July 3.

Public workshop dates:

* June 9, 5-7 p.m.: St. Joe Ranger District, 222 S. Seventh St., Suite 1, St. Maries

* June 10, 5-7 p.m.: Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Silver Valley Office, 173 Commerce Drive, Smelterville

* June 11, 5-7 p.m.: IPNF Supervisor's Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene

* June 16, 5-7 p.m.: Sandpoint Ranger District, 1602 Ontario St., Sandpoint

* June 17, 5-7 p.m.: Bonners Ferry Ranger District, 6286 Main St., Bonners Ferry

* June 18, 5-7 p.m.: Priest Lake Ranger District, 32203 Hwy. 57, Priest River