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Last Saturday, the Sawtooth Society board and members worked together to build a beautiful logworm fence along Pole Creek.  Despite sporadic rain, the group was able to complete the fence in record time.

This particular area along Pole Creek has, in the past, been severely damaged by overuse. It was a favorite spot for dispersed camping and SUVs and ATVs enjoyed driving through the stream. As a result, the Pole Creek banks were spotted with campfire rings and, in several spots, eroding away due to motorized vehicle traffic.

Pole Creek is one of many tributaries in the Sawtooth Basin that are used by anadromous fish, specifically Chinook and Sockeye Salmon, for spawning.  The destruction of this particular area was deterring these fish from using the streambed to spawn.  The Salmon River Chinook and Sockeye Salmon are on the endangered species list.  Their tenuous grasp on existence is made even more so by the type of disturbance found on Pole Creek. So, in the last couple years the Forest Service worked to reclaim this area.

They filled in the road that crossed the stream and planted native grasses and shrubs along the banks.  They cleaned up the dispersed campsites and encouraged camping in other areas.  The last step in the reclamation project was to build a fence to permanently keep motorized traffic out of the fragile habitat.

On Saturday, August 23rd the board members and members of the Sawtooth Society gathered in the sprinkling rain to build this fence.  Led by Forest Service employee Ed Cannady and Sawtooth Society Vice President of Administration Keith Reese, the group constructed an iconic logworm fence to line the stream bank.  The group worked so quickly that they were able to finish the entire project three hours earlier than expected.  With the completion of this project, Pole Creek now has the respite needed to heal and the huge salmon of the area will once again spawn in its streambed in peace.

Thanks to everyone who participated in Saturday’s project!

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