Yellowstone National Park is soliciting comments for a proposed project to do routine rehabilitation work on a portion of the Buffalo Plateau Trail. The project will focus on a 1.75 mile section of the trail near the north boundary of the park. If funded, the project will take place during the summer of 2011.
The main intent of the project will be to drain the trail of bogs and standing water. This will be accomplished with the construction of new drains designed to channel spring water back to natural courses. Crews will also install a system of water bars and retainers using both stone and timber structures to limit erosion on the trail and retain tread material. Ruts will be filled using rock and soil where necessary. The entire project will consist of work in the current alignment of the trail and will not involve any new route construction.
The project is being considered for funding by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Recreational Trails Program, and would be directed by National Park Service staff in partnership with the Montana Conservation Corps.
Written comments should be received no later than June 7, 2010. Comments can be emailed to bill_hopkins@nps.gov; or mailed to Bill Hopkins, Backcountry Trails Office, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.