FACILITY MASTER PLAN
FOR THE
BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST
October 2002
Chapter 7: Tongue
Summary of Facilities, Workforce and
Needs
Tongue Ranger District
Big Goose Dwelling #2 at Big Goose Ranger Station
Overview: Tongue Ranger District
Tongue Ranger District Office is located in Sheridan,
Wyoming. The district covers the northeast and east-central portions of
the Bighorn NF.
There is only one major access into this district from
the east side. That comes along Highway 14 from the town of Ranchester
on Interstate 25. There is a lesser-used route to the southern end of
the district along the Red Grade Road. This is an unpaved rough gravel
road that runs southwest out of Sheridan up to the mountains. This road
is not plowed open in the winter, however it is a gets a large amount
of snowmobile use in the winter.
Burgess Visitor Center is located at the intersection
of Highways 14 and 14A. This visitor center is only open during the summer
months.
Workforce: Tongue Ranger District
Permanent Workforce
Current
The organization chart lists 10 PFTs on the Tongue
District. All are stationed out of the Tongue office. In addition, there
are 2 Powder River District employees stationed out of the Tongue office.
Currently, there is 1 vacant position. The Organization Chart for the
Tongue District is listed in Appendix C (Chart C-9).
Anticipated changes
Due to the increase in fire funding, additional PFT
positions may be added in the future.
Seasonal Workforce
Current
In FY01, there were 26 seasonals working on the Tongue
District. This does not include the additional 17 S.O. seasonals who
will be working out of Burgess and Big Goose Ranger Stations. Burgess
Ranger Station will house 22, Big Goose 17, Penrose 2, and Woodrock
2. Since the capacity at Big Goose and Burgess is lower than these expected
seasonal numbers, trailers may be rented and placed at these two locations
for temporary quarters.
In Appendix C, Table C-1 shows the locations the seasonals
were housed and working out of in FY01 site by site. It also shows the
anticipated maximum number of seasonals that will be staying there in
any given year.
Anticipated changes
There are no anticipated changes in the total summer
seasonal workforce. However, the location of that workforce is expected
to move around the districts from year to year.
Admin Sites & Facilities: Tongue Ranger District
Tongue Ranger District has 7 sites with FA&O facilities.
This doesn't include the District Office in Sheridan, co-located with
the Supervisor's Office, which is listed with the S.O. & Zone facilities.
There are 3 major work centers on the Tongue. Burgess
Ranger Station is located a couple miles from Burgess Visitor Center.
Big Goose Ranger Station is located on the southern half of the district
off of Red Grade Road. And Sheridan Work Center is on the outskirts of
Sheridan.
The other sites are Woodrock Guard Station, Penrose Guard
Station, and the Willow Creek Storage Shed site. One other building, the
Dayton Powder Cache, is located off of Highway 14 on the eastern boundary
of the forest.
There are a total of 36 FA&O facilities on the Tongue
District, not including the District office and warehouse. All 36 are
Forest Service owned.
Following is a list of all the sites located on the Tongue
District and a brief description of the facilities located at those sites.
SHERIDAN WORK CENTER (Site #601)
There are 6 buildings at Sheridan Work Center, located
in Sheridan. One is a single family dwelling, used to house a PFT. One
is a large warehouse, with 2 other smaller storage buildings. There is
one toilet, and another dwelling, which was gutted by a fire several years
ago, and has never been rehabilitated for use.
#3506: Sheridan WC Dwelling #2
This is a 1,825 sq. ft. building constructed in 1942.
This building is currently vacant, in 1985 a fire severely damaged the
interior and roof of this building. The roof of this house was reconstructed
but the interior of the house has not undergone any work. The interior
of this house should be remodeled. The building could then used as housing
for S.O. seasonals or as temporary housing for permanent employees. This
conflicts with the recommendation to eliminate permanent housing outside
the Forest Boundary, but since it is located in the Work Center, there
is no reason to dispose of this building.
#3519: Sheridan WC Dwelling #1
This is a 1,537 sq. ft. building constructed in 1942.
It is used as housing for permanent employees. Maintain this building
for seasonals or temporary permanent housing for the same reason as Dwelling
#2 (#3506).
#3558: Sheridan WC Warehouse
This is a 6,359 sq. ft. building constructed in 1942.
It is currently used as a storage building. Construction of a shower room
and restroom within the warehouse was completed in 2002. The vault toilet
#3613 is no longer needed and can be disposed. This warehouse will be
maintained for storage.
#3559: Sheridan WC Hay Barn
This is a 368 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. It
is currently used as a paint storage building. This building is recommended
for disposal.
#3569: Sheridan WC Flammable Storage
This is an 83 sq. ft. building constructed in 1982. It
is used as a flammable storage building. Remodel this building to better
serve its use and maintain as a flammable storage building.
#3613: Sheridan WC Vault Toilet
This is a 16 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. This
building will be disposed once the bathrooms are constructed in the warehouse
(see #3558 Sheridan WC Warehouse).
Site Utilities
Water: City of Sheridan
Wastewater: City of Sheridan
Electricity: Public Utilities
Phone: Public Utilities
Other: Natural gas to most of the buildings
Key Issues or Problems
The warehouse and the two dwellings have over $132,000
of identified deferred maintenance. Dwelling #2 is currently vacant,
but with interior work completed, it could be used to house either PFTs
or seasonals.
The parking lot is in need of re-surfacing. And a long-term
need by the district is a garage / storage building with bays to house
engines.
BURGESS RANGER STATION (Site #602)
Burgess Ranger Station is located near the intersection
of Highways 14 and 14A. This is Tongue's major work center on the
mountain. There are 13 buildings at Burgess. Three are used for seasonal
quarters,
5 for storage, 1 bathhouse, 1 office, 1 toilet, and 1 utility building
(Pumphouse). There is also one permanent trailer that is vacant, and
will
be removed & demolished in FY02.
#3494: Burgess RS Paint Cellar
This is a 64 sq. ft. building constructed in 1939. It
is used for storage. Maintain this building for storage.
#3502: Burgess RS Crew Quarters
This is a 583 sq. ft. building constructed in 1960. It
is used for seasonal employee housing. This building has a flat roof and
other features that make it a high maintenance building. This building
should be disposed of and replaced with a new building of a better design.
#3503: Burgess RS Dwelling #2
This is a 1,180 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940.
It is used for seasonal employee housing. Maintain this building as housing
for seasonal employees.
#3526: Burgess RS Dwelling #1
This is an 814 sq. ft. building constructed in 1934.
It is used for seasonal employee housing. Maintain this building as housing
for seasonal employees.
#3532: Burgess RS Bath House
This is a 352 sq. ft. building constructed in 1967. It
is used as a bathhouse for people living in the travel trailers. The existing
building does not meet current needs and is a high maintenance building.
The district would like to replace it with a new building of a better
design.
#3543: Burgess RS Office
This is a 360 sq. ft. building constructed in 1941. It
is currently used as an office. Maintain it as office space.
#3563: Burgess RS Barn
This is a 2,262 sq. ft. building constructed in 1941.
It is currently used as a garage, workshop and for storage. Maintain this
building for those same uses.
#3566: Burgess RS Pumphouse
This is a 54 sq. ft. building constructed in 1966. It
has been vacant or sometimes used for storage since 1997 when a new pumphouse
building was constructed. This building is recommended for disposal.
#3596: Burgess RS Fire Cache / Shed
This is a 575 sq. ft. building constructed in 1924. Currently
it is used as a fire cache, however it is in very poor condition with
some major structural problems. The District would like to dispose of
this building and replace it with a new one.
#3609: New Burgess Pumphouse
This is a 196 sq. ft. building constructed in 1997. It
houses a water storage tank, pumps and other components for the water
system. Maintain this building as a pumphouse.
#3611: Burgess RS Flammable Storage
This is a 9 sq. ft. building constructed in 1980. It
is used as a flammable storage building. The Forest plans to install
flammable storage lockers at Burgess and dispose of this building.
#3612: Burgess RS Toilet
This is a 16 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. It
is used as a public toilet, near the office, but is in very poor condition
and not accessible. Dispose of the existing toilet and replace with a
new accessible toilet.
#8506: Burgess RS - Eng Trailer
This is a 700 sq. ft. mobile home constructed in 1975.
It had been used as seasonal employee housing until about 3 years ago,
at that time it was then vacated. The condition of this building is uninhabitable
and is recommended for disposal.
Trailer Pads
There are 6 trailer pads at this site. They each have
water, electrical and graywater connections. All of the utilities at
each of the sites are old and in need of updating.
Site Utilities
Water: Onsite well
Wastewater: Onsite septic tanks and leach fields
Electricity: Public Utility
Phone: Public Utility - Maintenance is shared with lodges
Other: Propane is supplied to many of the buildings
Key Issues or Problems
Even before the new seasonal fire positions, Burgess
Ranger Station was the work center most lacking in quality seasonal
quarters. Now, it is even more so. In 2001, the quarters capacity was
14, whereas the expected workforce living there is 22. For this year,
the Forest plans to rent 2 trailers for seasonals. In FY'03, this site
is on the Fire Facilities Project List to get a 2,340 sq. ft. modular
10-person barracks and a 1,500 sq. ft. pumper storage building. Site
Development Planning was completed in 2001 to determine how the new
building will efficiently fit into the site.
BIG GOOSE RANGER STATION (Site #603)
Big Goose Ranger Station is located on the southern half
of the district. It is fairly isolated, accessible by a rough road (Red
Grade Road) via Sheridan or Highway 14. This site is closed during the
winter months. There are 8 buildings at Big Goose. There are 2 seasonal
housing buildings, 3 storage, 1 pumphouse, 1 toilet, and 1 generator building
at the site.
#3504: Big Goose RS Dwelling #2
This is a 1,085 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940.
It is used as seasonal employee housing. Maintain this building as housing
for seasonal employees.
#3507: Big Goose Bunkhouse
This is a 376 sq. ft. building constructed in 1938. It
is currently used for storage. This building is recommended for disposal.
#3513: Big Goose RS Dwelling #1
This is a 1,537 sq. ft. building constructed in 1938.
It is used as seasonal employee housing. Maintain this building as housing
for seasonal employees.
#3514: Big Goose RS Barn / Office
This is a 2,134 sq. ft. building constructed in 1938.
It currently is used as a garage, workshop and for storage. Maintain this
building for those uses.
#3561: Big Goose RS Fire Cache
This is an 80 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. It
is used as a fire cache. This building will be maintained as a fire cache.
#3598: Big Goose RS Generator Building
This is a 113 sq. ft. building constructed in 1980. It
is used to house the generator that supplies power to the ranger station.
Maintain this building.
#3601: Big Goose RS Pumphouse
This is a 156 sq. ft. building constructed in 1988. It
is used to house a water storage tank, pumps and other components for
the water system. Maintain this building.
#3614: Big Goose RS Toilet
This is a 27 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. It
is used as a public toilet. The District would like to dispose of the
existing toilet and replace with an accessible toilet.
Trailer Pads
There are 5 trailer pads at this site with full utilities.
These pads were constructed in 1988 and are in good condition.
Site Utilities
Water: Onsite well
Wastewater: Onsite septic tanks and leach field
Electricity: Supplied by an onsite 30KW generator
Phone: None
Other: Propane is supplied to most of the buildings
Key Issues or Problems
The Forest would like to construct an 8-person barracks
to replace some of the older housing at the site. Also, a bathhouse
is on the wish list. However this is a low priority, next to some of
the seasonal housing needs at other sites on the Forest. The Forest
is also looking into replacing the generator with a fuel cell. Due to
a changing seasonal workforce, it would be beneficial to have a power
system which is low maintenance and simple to operate.
WOODROCK GUARD STATION (Site #604)
Woodrock Guard Station is located about 10 miles south
of Burgess Junction. There are 3 buildings at the site; 1 seasonal housing,
1 storage, and 1 toilet.
#3533: Woodrock Guard Cabin
This is a 722 sq. ft. building constructed in 1934. It
is used for seasonal employee housing. Maintain this building as housing
for seasonal employees.
#3615: Woodrock GS Storage Building
This is a 19 sq. ft. building constructed in 1934. It
is currently used as a storage building. Maintain it for that use.
#3616: Woodrock GS Toilet
This is a 25 sq. ft. building constructed in 1960. It
is used as a toilet building for use both by the public and seasonal employees.
This building should either be remodeled or disposed of and replaced with
a new one.
Site Utilities
Water: hand pump well
Wastewater: None (other than toilet)
Electricity: None
Phone: None
Other: Propane is supplied to the guard cabin
Key Issues or Problems
This is a lightly used site. The District would like
to install a new accessible vault toilet for public and FS personnel
use.
PENROSE GUARD STATION (Site #605)
Penrose Guard Cabin is a very isolated site, located
near the wilderness boundary. It is used mainly for temporary housing
for PFTs and wilderness rangers. There are 3 buildings at this site; 1
seasonal housing, 1 storage, and 1 toilet building.
#3542: Penrose Guard Cabin
This is a 544 sq. ft. building constructed in 1925. It
is used only on an occasional basis for seasonal employee housing. Maintain
this building for its current use.
#3622: Penrose RS Storage Building
This is a 150 sq. ft. building constructed in 1940. It
is used as a storage building. Maintain its use as a storage building.
#3623: Penrose GS Toilet
This is a 25 sq. ft. building constructed in 1942. It
is used as a toilet building. Maintain its use for that purpose.
Site Utilities
Water: None
Wastewater: None (other than toilet)
Electricity: None
Phone: None
Other: None
Key Issues or Problems
Due to its remoteness and light use, this site is not
high on the priority list for improvements.
DAYTON POWDER CACHE SITE (Site #608)
#3564: Dayton Powder Cache
This is a 102 sq. ft. building constructed in 1939. It
is currently vacant after being used for explosives storage. This building
is recommended for disposal.
Site Utilities
Water: None
Wastewater: None
Electricity: None
Phone: None
Other: None
Key Issues or Problems
This structure is very sound, being of stone construction.
However it has been vacant for a long time, and is no longer needed.
Also, it is not located in an easily accessible location.
Challenges and Opportunities: Tongue Ranger District
The most important priority for the Tongue Ranger District
is acquiring adequate seasonal housing in the near future. In 2001, the
capacity for seasonal housing was 30. However 43 seasonals planned to
be living at the various sites on the District. Some of this will be alleviated
in 2002, when a 10-person barracks will be built at Burgess Ranger Station.
At Big Goose, there is no Public Utility for electricity.
In 2000, the Forest looked into the possibility of working with private
cabin owners to have electrical lines run up to the site, and to private
cabins. However, the interest was not high, and the cost was prohibitive.
Since the existing generator is high maintenance, the Forest is working
with the Forest Service's Technology and Development Centers on the possibility
of installing a fuel cell system at the site. This project is currently
in progress, and if funding permits, could be constructed in 2003. |
