Full Text
DOUGLAS COUNTY FOREST ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN CHAPTER 4 Route and Trail Classification System Section Page 4.0 Route and Trail Classification 4.1 Highway Vehicle Access 4.2 Highway and Off Highway Vehicle Access 4.3 Off Highway Vehicle Access (Permitted) 4.4 Motorized Recreational Access (Not 4 - 1 4 - 1 4 - 1 4 - 2 4 - 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 4 ROUTE AND TRAIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM 4.0 ROUTE AND TRAIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM The Access Management Plan includes a route and trail classification system for motorized recreational access on the Douglas County Forest. The four-type system is for management purposes only and does not replace any classification with respect to vehicle types or roadway classifications prescribed by State statute or local planning agencies. The classification system was developed by the working group and will be used by the DCFD to identify roads and trails and determine specific uses, if any, during the implementation of the Access Management Plan. This system will be closely tied to objectives in Chapters 6 and 7 and facilitate the signage process for road and trail identification in the field (Chapter Summer and winter recreational trail systems currently managed by the DCFD on both County-owned property and other ownerships will be integrated with the classification system. Summer and winter trail systems that are managed by cooperating agencies also will be integrated with the classification system. Federal, State, and County highways, town roads, and other roadways that are not under the authority of the DCFD will be classified separately and are addressed to a limited degree in the Access Management Plan. OHV access on those roads and maintenance responsibilities are governed by statutes and regulations administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Douglas County Highway Department, regional township authorities, utility corporations, or other local planning authorities. 4.1 Highway Vehicle Access (Permitted) This classification generally applies to highways and roads that are managed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Douglas County Highway Department, or local township authorities. These are public roadways that are adjacent to or directly intersect County forest land and that are open to HV traffic as governed by statutes and regulations. Motorized recreational use of roads and routes under this classification is subject to prevailing legislation and regulations of the appropriate governing body. 4.2 Highway and Off Highway Vehicle Access (Permitted) This classification applies to roads and trails located on the Douglas County Forest where both HV and OHV access may be permitted. Managed by the DCFD, these routes generally are located on well- established stable soils, have been built to higher construction specifications, and support frequent use. These routes may be County Forest Roads, former logging roads, abandoned recreational trail routes, or other historic travel routes. They generally receive limited to moderate use and are subject to limitations as the result of DCFD resource management policy and direction prescribed by the Access Management Plan. Constraints regarding motorized recreational access considered as part of this ---PAGE BREAK--- ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN classification include: Seasonal limitations related to time of year where the open and closed seasons will be assigned specific calendar dates in a given year. Timing constraints for specific recreational motor-vehicle activities with respect to other uses occurring on or near roads and trails, e.g., snowmobiling, hiking, horseback riding, and commercial recreation ventures. Limitations related to forest-management operations or other purposes where the road would be closed temporarily to establish and/or repair itself once operations have been completed. Existing motor vehicle trails that are funded by the State and maintained for public use for specific vehicle types winter snowmobile trail system and summer ATV system) during certain times of the year. User-interpreted limitations related to environmental impacts and land capabilities to sustain various motor-vehicle activities, e.g., site sensitivity, erosion potential, and snowpack. Other limitations are inherent in the conditions of the particular road or trail, type of vehicle being used and its equipment options, and experience of the operator. Roads and trails under this classification may or may not be maintained and their use is solely at the risk and discretion of the individual. 4.3 Off Highway Vehicle Access (Permitted) This classification applies to roads and trails located on the County Forest where motorized recreational access is limited to OHV use. Two general categories of the routes included in this classification are the winter and summer recreational trails and certain woods roads and trails scattered throughout the Forest. State-funded and nonfunded club partnership recreational trial routes are designed to attract the majority of OHV use as opportunities for destination travel and may take the form of regional corridor trails or local loop systems. They have designated primary uses, are well signed, monitored and maintained, and are listed in OHV recreation publications. User maps in the form of summer ATV trails and snowmobile and winter ATV trails typically are available for these routes. Both State- funded routes and partnership club trails are incorporated into this classification. The woods roads and trails included in this classification generally are located on sites that are more at risk to damage by heavy vehicles, have been built to lower construction specifications, and cannot support repeated HV use. However, they can support OHV use. These routes can be former logging roads, skid trails, abandoned recreational trail routes, or other historic travel routes. They often dead- end, generally receive limited use, and are subject to limitations as the result of DCFD’s resource management policy and direction as prescribed in the Access Management Plan. Constraints on motorized recreational access as part of this classification include: 4 - 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 4: ROUTE AND TRAIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM 4 - 3 Seasonal limitations related to time of year where the open and closed seasons will be assigned specific calendar dates in a given year. Timing constraints for specific recreational motor vehicle activities with respect to other uses occurring on or near roads and trails, e.g., hiking, horseback riding, and commercial recreation ventures. Limitations related to forest-management operations or other purposes where the road would be closed temporarily to establish and/or repair itself once operations have been completed. User-interpreted limitations related to environmental impacts and land capabilities to sustain various recreational motor-vehicle activities, e.g., site sensitivity, erosion potential, and snowpack. Other limitations are inherent in the conditions of the particular road or trail, type of vehicle being used and its equipment options, and experience of the operator. Routes under this classification are not maintained and their use is solely at the risk and discretion of the individual. 4.4 Motorized Recreational Access (Not Permitted) This classification applies to roads and trails that are not available for HV or OHV use as the result of DCFD resource management policy and direction as contained in the Access Management Plan. Watershed or wildlife management considerations are subject to DCFD policy provisions concerning areas in which motor-vehicle access is not allowed. Motorized access on all roads and trails under this classification will be prohibited with the exception for persons conducting official DCFD business and/or ongoing authorized forest-management activities, disabled persons with a valid permit, or when motorized access is required for emergency purposes. Roads and trails that are not identified with any use designation also are included in this classification. These routes may be considered for reclamation programs or other site treatments to prevent motor-vehicle access on a temporary or permanent basis.