The Manti-La Sal National Forest is improving roads to accommodate the Black Timber Sale. Crews began replacing culverts on the Skyline Drive Sept. 9, and will close sections of the road from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 30, unless work is finished before then. The closure applies to 22 miles of road between the intersection of Skyline Drive and State Route 29 (the Orangeville to Ephraim Road), to the gravel turnaround on the ridge between Seeley and Staker Canyons.

Road crews will close the sections of the road where they are working then re-open the roads when they are safe for travel. Closed areas will be open during non-working hours, including at 12-1 p.m. daily and on weekends. Closed sections will be clearly signed.

“We recognize these road closures are inconvenient to the public,” said Ryan Nehl, Manti-La Sal Forest Supervisor. “Restoration of forest health is vital to the continued multiple use and enjoyment of forest resources. Harvesting dead spruce is one of the tools we can use to spur restoration, and the road improvement is necessary for hauling.”

Timing for the road project is constrained by several factors including the need to complete environmental analyses, contract administration and weather. It is imperative that the work is completed before heavy snowfall begins.

The Forest Service held a bid opening for the Black Timber Sale on Sept. 9 and is working to award the contract to the apparent high bidder. Harvesting operations could begin as soon as this fall and will likely be implemented over the next 10 years.

The road closure order and map can be seen at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal