Steigerwald manager seeks funding to replace boardwalk
Refuge recovers
Wilson Cady, environmental education coordinator for the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, views the damage to the Steigerwald refuge boardwalk. While 148 acres burned, approximately 20,000 shrubs and trees survived. “Wildlife is coming back,” Cady said Friday, as American goldfinches flew overhead. He also spotted fresh mounds of dirt as evidence of recent mole activity. Photo by Dawn Feldhaus.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge remains closed to the public, primarily because the boardwalk entrance is heavily damaged.
The Oct. 5 grass and brush fire damaged 148 acres at the refuge.
Refuge Manager Jim Clapp is applying for $100,000 for burn area restoration from the Department of the Interior. It could take four to six weeks to find out if the funding is approved.
The boardwalk will need to be replaced before the refuge can be reopened.
“I don’t know how long it will take to replace it,” Clapp said by phone Monday. “We’ll do our best to get the refuge reopened soon.”
For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Clapp at 835-8767, email volunteer@refugestewards.org or visit www.refugestewards.org.
