Trail crews in the Custer Gallatin National Forest have been busy this summer, not only clearing the usual downfall and cleaning water bars, but also assessing damage from historic June floods. The rough estimate is that $3.2 million in damage was done just to trails and bridges. Another roughly $2.8 million in repairs are needed at campgrounds, recreation sites and to stabilize portions of washed out watersheds. How soon the money or repairs can come in is uncertain. And this is in addition to the damaged roads leading to popular recreation areas along the Beartooth Mountains like the East Rosebud Road. Compounding the problem is that forest contractors and the Forest Service, like other businesses, are having trouble filling their employment ranks. To read more, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/flood-caused-trail-damage-in-custer-gallatin-forest-estimated-at-3-2m/article_2b61b97c-2899-11ed-883a-97dd5b0b78f1.html.

Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor for Billings Gazette