Preliminary study: Removing roads improves wildlife habitat

May 22, 2008

Since 1996, a Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forest partnership has removed more than 600 miles of decommissioned logging roads, using heavy equipment and hand tools. They have recontoured hillsides, restored streambanks, removed culverts and replanted native vegetation in an effort to help the salmon that are a key part of the tribe's culture. Many studies have been conducted on logging roads' negative impacts, but no long-term scientific studies have been completed on what happens when they are removed. Wildlands CPR has begun a pilot project study to begin to answer that question. The study's preliminary results indicate that restoring logging roads helps to reconnect long-fragmented habitat - and that bears, moose, mice and other mammals will return after the roads have been decommissioned.