Recent wet conditions have caused road damage and muddy conditions on the Pawnee National Grassland, leading to temporary closures and a delayed opening of the Main OHV Area.
The Main OHV Area on the Pawnee National Grassland will be opening later than usual due to wet and muddy conditions. The Forest Service Roads (FSR) leading into the area, 45 and 640, are closed until further notice. The area, located northwest of Briggsdale, was scheduled to open on Nov. 1, but current conditions are not conducive to motor vehicle travel. The Main OHV Area is typically open from Nov. 1 to April 9.
[/media-credit]Two areas have also been temporarily closed to motor vehicle travel. The gate to the McGrew (FSR 96) allotment was closed due to extensive road damage. There is also a barricade into the Coal (FSR 219) allotment due to road damage. Both of these are popular with recreational shooters. These areas are not closed to all use, just to motorized travel. Users can still hike into the area.
To find out the latest, please call the Pawnee National Grassland office at 970-346-5000 or check the web at www.fs.usda.gov/arp.