Public Comment Wanted on Changes to South Hills Seasonal Road Closures

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)-The local ranger district and state wildlife agency have proposed changes to existing seasonal road closures in the South Hills and have asked for the public to comment. The Minidoka Ranger District and Idaho Department of Fish and Game are looking to change specific motorized road closures during the month of October and replace them with other closures.

The proposed changes come after recent observations found that the closures are ineffective and motorists repeatedly go around gates and barriers. "These restrictions were designed to provide some areas of big game habitat security (drainages without roads) and areas for non-motorized hunting and recreational opportunities" according to a statement released by the Sawtooth National Forest Service.

The proposed changes would only impact the October seasonal closures and would not change other existing seasonal closures. It would also open up a little more than seven miles of roads to motorists that would otherwise be closed. Information released by the ranger district addresses misinformation being circulated on social media saying access to the South Hills would be cut off. The areas impacted by the proposal includes the northwest end of the South Hills near Little Cotton Wood, and areas south and southeast of Magic Mountain.

Officials will consider other option presented by the public during the public comment period; a definite decision will not happen until next year. You can find all the facts along with maps and Q&A on the proposals at the project website. If you wish to make a comment, email them to comments-intermtn-sawtooth-minidoka@fs.fed.us, or mail them to Minidoka Ranger District, Attn: Scott Soletti, 2306 Hiland Ave, Burley, ID 83318, or call (208) 678-0430.