The forest service is recommendatating the current scenario:
Gate at Dingford Creek trail for you and I, but the road will be open to the people who have private property beyond that. The forest service will maintain the road beyond Dingford as a trail, however the private people can maintain the road as a road up to level 2 of road maintenance so long as they pay for it.
Basically, it is very similar to the Monte Cristo road maintenance. Except you will not be able to ride your bike as freely or as easily as you can on the Middle Fork Road.
If you want to climb any north or northwest route from Lemah Mtn to Summit Chief you are looking at an additional 14 more miles because of the gate.