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Use Caution Recreating this Weekend

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – July 14, 2023

Contact: Claire Polfus
Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
claire.polfus@vermont.gov, 802-505-5372

Use Caution Recreating this Weekend

Montpelier, VT - As more storms head towards Vermont this weekend, the outdoor recreation community is working to assess and repair damage from the storm earlier this week. Although many Vermonters and visitors are eager to return to their favorite trails and parks and many opportunities remain available in the less-impacted areas of the state, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is asking the public to use caution and common sense if they plan to recreate outside this weekend.

Please follow the advice below to stay safe and have fun while enjoying the outdoors.

Avoid flood waters! Please stay away from waterways. It is not safe to wade, swim, fish, or boat until flows return to normal, even in areas that are not posted with notices to avoid contact. Recent flooding across Vermont has inundated many municipal wastewater treatment plants and private septic systems. This has led to partially treated and untreated discharges of sewage into the environment. The state’s rivers, lakes, and ponds could contain pathogens like viruses and bacteria that may cause illness as well as significant debris from the floods. The edges of waterways are also unsafe and easily damaged, especially if they were recently flooded.

Access is the first step. Roads remain closed in many parts of the state. Before you head out, check 511 for state highway closures. Local crews are also busy repairing culverts and restoring town roads, which are not listed on 511 and forest roads leading to trailheads may have been washed out. You might encounter road closures that are not posted online. If you come to a closure, turn around and choose a different route or alternate destination. Never travel over flooded roadways.

Know before you go. Check the online resources listed below to see if there are alerts posted for the trail you plan to visit.

If conditions do not warrant hiking, biking, or other recreation, consider visiting open downtowns. Your favorite outdoor business, coffee shop, or other business could use our support during this challenging time.

Use caution. Trail managers are out assessing trails and posting closures and warnings if they encounter unsafe conditions or damaged infrastructure. However, they will not be able to get to every trail across the state before the weekend. Furthermore, with more rain in the forecast and already saturated soils, trail conditions are actively changing. Use caution when recreating, even if the trail was not posted as closed. Turn around if you encounter a washed out trail or bridge, significant blowdowns, landslides or other hazards. Protect yourself and natural resources and do not try to find a new path around the obstacle.

Please don’t attempt any repairs, use any equipment like chainsaws or excavators, or enter waterways on your own. Opportunities to volunteer will be available once the weather clears and trail conditions improve.

Stay safe. Recreate within your abilities and make good decisions when you are outside. Backcountry search and rescue operations require many emergency responders, many of whom have had a busy week with rescue and recovery around the state. Plan your trip in a responsible way that minimizes risk and lowers the chance you might need rescue.

For more information on flood recovery resources from the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Department, or the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, visit https://ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood.

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