SHOSHONE, Idaho - The Bureau of Land Management Shoshone Field Office is opening the Martin Canyon Road in Blaine County today, as it is now passable for four-wheel drive vehicles. The BLM has completed some repairs to the road, which had been closed because of a washout last spring.
The public is urged to take precautions, however, as the area remains subject to further erosion following recent wildfire activity and the road may be unsuitable for use by low-clearance vehicles.
The Martin Canyon Fire burned 4,024 acres in August 2017 and 2,517 acres were reseeded later that fall. In March 2018, over an inch of rain fell on frozen ground in the burned area east of Bellevue before vegetation could re-establish to hold soil in place and prevent erosion. The rainfall caused significant damage to the Martin Canyon Road, making it impassable to motorized vehicles.
Options for additional repairs or rerouting the Martin Canyon Road will be considered as a part of the Wood River Valley Travel Management Plan (TMP), which is scheduled for completion in early 2019. A draft of the TMP is expected to be released to the public later this fall. The public is encouraged to provide suggestions and comments at any time, but especially during the TMP comment period later this year.
-BLM-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
