Landscape fire and resource management planning tools

Where wetlands crossings are unavoidable, crossings should be properly designed and placed at the narrowest wetland location.

This may mean planning a longer route that minimizes the impact to environmentally sensitive areas, as well as reducing the need for future remedial actions. The first rule of trail design is to avoid crossing wetlands, or other sensitive areas, such as vernal pools. Poorly designed, located, constructed, and maintained trails can cause significant erosion and sedimentation problems.

Survey the trail during wet months! Trail design In general, look for routes that are dry, of moderate grade, and in need of little terrain modifications in order to minimize potential erosion and sedimentation problems. The first step in trail planning is to visually inspect the area. Should modification to the landscape be required, it is imperative to minimize soil disturbance near wetlands. The best wetlands protection is avoidance. The materials that will be used, the construction and maintenance techniques, and the size of the trail project will help identify the scale of the environmental impact to soils and wetlands. When planning a trail and its construction, you should take advantage of the natural features of the environment rather than transforming the landscape to meet the proposed project's needs. The ideal recreational trail is one that requires minimal maintenance. It is necessary to develop erosion control plans for trail projects to minimize erosion, sedimentation and resulting water degradation prior to the initiation of construc Trail planning guidelines It has been developed as a reference tool to help public land managers, trail clubs, landowners and recreational trail users work together to protect our state's natural resources. This publication attempts to create an understanding of these impacts and provide the methods necessary to minimize them. Trail construction and maintenance may involve impacts to wetlands and other natural resources. In addition to providing recreation, trails foster an appreciation and respect of nature.

Landscape fire and resource management planning tools