Forest Service says staffing and budget constraints limit roadwork on key Lincoln County routes

Michael Oltman of the Bridger‑Teton National Forest briefed the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 18 about road maintenance priorities and resource constraints.

Oltman said Greys River Road, Smith Fork Road and Grover Park Road are among the heaviest-used forest roads in Lincoln County and are priorities for investment. He told commissioners the Forest Service is "staffed at half capacity, are having difficulty finding people to hire and have a limited road maintenance budget," which constrains how many miles the agency can maintain.

Oltman described federal funding avenues — including the Great American Outdoors Act and the Legacy Roads and Trails program — that can support public access and water-system improvements. He also praised continued Schedule A agreements with the county and answered questions about a Cottonwood Road washout and a crushing operation on Greys River Road.

Commissioners asked whether the current plan of two weeks of road maintenance per district per year will change; Oltman reiterated that staffing and budgets will determine any adjustment.

The briefing provided commissioners with the Forest Service’s near-term constraints and potential funding options; no formal action was recorded on the item at this meeting.