Authorities are investigating a string of vandalism incidents along U.S. Forest Service roads in the Swede Mountain area southeast of Libby.
Earlier this month, seven gates were discovered damaged or destroyed on the Kootenai National Forest in the Swede Mountain area. Forest officials believe this damage occurred earlier this spring. Forest roads 536, 533G, 533J, 533L, 533E, 533D and Forest Road 4674 had the bell housings ripped out of the ground or bent. The arm bars were badly bent in half or broken. Forest officials estimate the cost to repair the damaged gates is more than $10,000.
Seasonal road closures through the use of gated roads protect many resource values, officials say. Often the road closures address the security of wildlife in order to support strong big game hunting opportunities and road infrastructure protections in order to reduce costs to tax payers.
Vandalism to Forest Service property is a significant and on-going problem on National Forest lands, the agency says. The cost to repair and replace property damaged by vandalism takes funds away from other management activities such as road and trail maintenance and recreational site maintenance on the Kootenai National Forest.
The Forest Service is seeking any information concerning the person or persons responsible for the vandalism. Contact Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations at (406) 758-5297 or the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department at (406) 293-4112.
A reward may be available for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the person or persons responsible.