Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

April 9th, 2009 - The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest reminds forest users that most forest roads and trails are still closed to motorized vehicles other than over-the-snow vehicles, where there is enough snow to protect road surfaces. The recent warm weather and rain has opened up previously snow covered areas, where soil moisture is high. Motor vehicle use in these wet areas will cause extreme damage to roads and trails. Public Access, on the side of Forest Service gates is there to allow only snow machines use of the trail/road during the winter season.

Summer travel is still several months away. On the forest, the summer travel usually begins around the end of May at most low elevation areas, depending on weather and soil conditions. Summer travel opportunities are defined as “when local conditions become suitable to support wheeled vehicle traffic on designated roads and trails without causing resource damage until the beginning of the snow season in the fall when local conditions prevent travel on designated roads and trails by wheeled vehicles”. The definition of “resource damage” includes “rutting on road and trail, or other surfaces by any type of vehicle during wet or muddy conditions, damaging any type of fish or wildlife habitat, or harassing any wildlife.” The resulting resource damage can also degrade water quality.

On October 3, 2008, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was reauthorized as part of Public Law 110-343. On January 15, 2009 the Forest Service began distributing more than $477 million to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship projects. Under the Secure Rural Schools Act an additional $52 million is available this year to be used by local resource advisory committees to fund projects to maintain infrastructure, improve the health of watersheds and ecosystems, protect communities, and strengthen local economies.

The Act provides agencies with recreation fee authority for 10 years, which will allow the agencies to make improvements and provide additional services to forest visitors.

If you have ever wanted to work on a team comprised of dedicated folk who all pull together, meet commitments and have a great time, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest might have a job for you. Some of the work our seasonal employees will be doing include: stream surveys, fish and wildlife surveys, fire fighting, campground maintenance, fence construction and maintenance, vegetation surveys, road maintenance, heavy equipment operators. See our employment web page for a full list of opportunities or work locations.

Many of the communities most affected by the economic downturn are located near national forests. Using funding from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Forest Service will create and maintain private sector jobs for communities by funding projects to remove hazardous biomass, restore watersheds, repair trails, bridges and roads, and make fish passage improvements. We will also update facilities to increase their efficiency in the use of energy and water.