Yellowstone National Park is soliciting comments for a proposed project to do routine work on a portion of the Sportsman Lake Trail in the northwest corner of the park. The project would include the section of trail between the Specimen Creek Trail and Fan Creek Trail junctions and would begin during the summer of 2005. This section of trail spans approximately five linear miles.

The scope of the project would begin with efforts to reduce erosion. This would be accomplished with the construction of a series of strategically placed drains designed to channel surface water off the trail. Additionally, a system of check dams would be placed on the trail. These structures would retain water flow and tread material. A second goal of this project would include the construction of several short reroutes of the trail away from sensitive wetland areas and steep sections it now crosses. None of the reroutes would exceed 150 yards in length. The project would be done by National Park Service staff in partnership with the Montana Conservation Corps. Funding for the project is being considered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Recreational Trails Program.

Written comments should be received no later than June 21, 2004, and mailed to:

Bill Hopkins
Backcountry Trails Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Information provided by the NPS