When good news is old news

When I blunder, I seem to do it in a big way. Last week, I received a letter from the Forest Service with the heading “Good News!”

The letter included an announcement dated Jan. 15, 2013, that the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, stated that $323 million was being sent to 41 states and Puerto Rico as part of a one-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act.

Since the RAC committee had already granted some $300,000 in 2012, I assumed (since the letter was dated Jan. 15, 2013) this was new money for 2013. Wrong! It just meant the money previously authorized was just now being sent to the states.

They have not as yet authorized any money to be granted for 2013 work. Sorry if I misled folks. Given the current situation in Washington, D.C., we may have seen the last of this program. It can only be continued if Congress votes to re-authorize the Act.

In the meantime, we can be thankful for the work that has been done and hope that the North Fork Road improvements will last for several years.

Speaking of the road, it is really quite good for mid-February. Mild weather has resulted in the road being mostly bare from Columbia Falls to Polebridge, with some rough spots and wash-boarding. North of Polebridge is still mostly snowpack with some bare spots. Logging trucks with chains have helped keep the surface from becoming too slick and icy.

Logging continues as far north as Moose Creek Road, and I usually meet four loaded trucks coming out every time I drive up the road.

I advise caution since loaded logging trucks need much more distance to get stopped. Even more dangerous, in my opinion, are the big snowcat trailers pulled by heavy-duty pickups. They drive much faster than the logging trucks and don’t hesitate to pass slower vehicles on short straight-aways.

In any event, as spring break up progresses the road is bound to get rougher, which should slow everyone down a bit.

It’s especially dangerous on the narrower side roads if logging is being done. Hay Creek Road is closed to public travel during the week when logging trucks are on that road. The Hay Creek Hill is narrow with large drop-offs, and downhill traffic can’t easily stop — especially a loaded logging truck.

Logging trucks are also hauling out of Moose Creek Road, which is not closed to the public. Nevertheless, it’s important to drive with caution.