The temporary closure is now in place for the Ashley National Forest’s Fall Creek drainage area due to the Division of Wildlife Resources native cutthroat trout restoration project. The area is closed through at least August 6th and covers everything within 20 feet of Fall Creek, its tributaries, and Anderson and Phinney Lakes. “The treatments use rotenone to remove non-native fish from the areas where native cutthroat trout will be restored,” shares the announcement. “Rotenone is a natural substance that comes from the roots of a tropical plant in the bean family. It’s a respiratory toxin to fish, but it is not dangerous to people, pets or other wildlife, especially in the extremely low quantities that biologists use to treat streams and lakes. However, there will be a lot of crews and equipment in the area during the treatments, and the Ashley National Forest will be closing the impacted areas. The public should stay out of these areas during the treatments, so that the DWR can safely and effectively complete the projects.” DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby shares that all hiking trails and other access will remain open to public use and the treatment areas will be well signed and will reopen after the treatment process is over and rotenone levels are no longer detectable in the streams. This is the second year of treatment for Fall Creek. A treatment on North Fork Sheep Creek will run from August 19th through the 26th.
