Summer 2019, the Red River Ranger District of the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho replaced a bridge in Orogrande.  After they replaced the rickety 5-mile bridge, they installed a 50" barricade.  In October 2019, the Nez Perce Forest shared a 2005 decision where a past administration decommissioned NF-9836 road (1.5 mi) from a full-sized vehicle to ATV 50" classification. This barricade has now eliminated a fire evacuation route for the Orogrande Community.  We need our elected officials to help influence the Nez Perce Forest Floor Supervisor to re-examine and reverse the past administration 2005 decision.  Since the conditions have changed from a wet crossing to a hard crossing, they could re-open a consultation with NMFS over the 1.5 miles of road, and seek meaningful public comment to open this road back up to full size vehicles. Given there is a bridge crossing, there will be less sediment than back in 2005.

Prior to October 2019, this 2005 decision was not disclosed to the Public (local communities, hunters, wood cutters, recreational users). The decision wasn't even disclosed in 2008 when the Orogrande folks submitted their original inventoried motorized routes to the Forest Service during their DRAMVU/Travel Planning phase.  Their routes were accepted by the Forest Service. This route was identified as a full size vehicle route.