Soil and Water Road Condition Index SDTDC Prepared by: Carolyn Napper 10/06

Project Update Literature search of existing indices Internal search of FS road data collection tools and methodologies Development of a draft index Field testing of index nationally

Maine S&PF BMP evaluation methodology developed by S&PF Partially funded by EPA and developed software program during beta-testing

R-5 LTBMU Characterization of roads for public information WEPP as comparison

R-5 Los Padres Closed road

R-5 San Bernardino STEEP hillslopes Road segmentation

R-2 Bighorn NF Existing survey by watershed Identify work, implement contracts to reduce sediment delivery to streams on all road levels.

R-2 White River Road-stream connectivity Gully formation R-2 WCP handbook Breckenridge Ski Area

R-6 Okanogan NF

R-10 Tongass Subsurface Drainage

R-9 White Mountain NF Level 2-gated URCI- Bob Eaton, process for evaluation of a road segment

R-8 Ozark-St Francis TNC &FS road inventory Trimble w/Infra and Terra Sync software 10 mi/rd per day/crew

R-8 Ouachita NF Road surveys for Roads analysis, NEPA, using WEPP, relative abundance of benthic fish tied to roads. Pursuing KV dollars for road improvement work. Infra data not reliable

Goal of SWRCI Project Need to measure the performance of the road improvement and road maintenance programs in meeting our responsibility for protecting watersheds. –Soil and Water road condition index –Photo Guidebook to determine SWRCI –Training module

Road template/Surface Shape information Stratify roads pre-post documentation Focuses the reviewer on what they should anticipate from a given road Insloped roads may have a ditch and relief culverts Outsloped roads with drainage dips, may want to focus on road gradient, soil texture associated with that type of design. Could be set up electronically

GoodFairPoor Ditch Relief Culverts Cross drains are free of sediment and debris, no indications of scour or plugging at inlet. No erosion at outlet % of cross drains show indications of scour or plugging. Erosion at outlet >50% of cross drains culverts show scour or plugging. Erosion at outlet.

GoodFairPoor DitchesDitch accommodates runoff without indications of erosion or scour % of ditch has erosion and downcutting from long ditch lengths. >50% of the ditch has erosion, downcutting, or scour.

Road-stream connectivity GoodFairPoor Road-stream Connectivity Road is hydrologically disconnected from channel network. Road template design is outslope, any surface water from road prism reinfiltrates into soil, and any ditches present are not connected to the stream % of the road segment is hydrologically connected to the channel network from drainage ditches or cross- drain outlets. >50% of the road segment is hydrologically connected to the channel network from drainage ditches or cross- drain outlets.

Soil Texture and WEPP GoodFairPoor Soil TextureSandy loamSilt loamClay loam

Colors–Numbers-Adjectives Pavement Condition Index to rate pavement condition SWRCI is additive, and the higher # is the rating Could develop a rule set if a tie Focuses on visual indicators Useful in the ID team setting

Page 2 of SWRCI Environmental considerations Causal factors for erosion and sediment transport Site specific immediate concern issues

Performance Accountability USDA FS Strategic Plan Goal 5 Improve Watershed Condition –Program issues for CMRD include: Lack of road maintenance $ = degraded forest road conditions. Negative impacts to natural resources

Key Outcome Measures of PAS % of high clearance & stored roads incompliance with soil and water BMPs (R-10 uses RCS method) Unclear on how RCS identifies compliance and at what scale? % of car passenger miles meeting soil and water BMPs (% of roads with no identified critical resource protection deferred maintenance needs) SWRCI can identify drainage, erosional concerns Revised Infra 7/06 task list identifies critical resource=drainage (roadway, x-drain, erosion)

National BMP & EP On-going effort to develop a national program for all regions. The effectiveness protocol will meet Goal 5-2 for monitoring water quality impacts of all activities on National Forest Service system lands. Time frame estimate 18 months

Needs or should be done… Complete the documentation including references for each indicator. More pictures – limitation is due to Develop a web page that would have all the existing forms being used. Showcase the forms, uses, and findings. Foster information exchange. Form needs a software application to increase its use.

Discussion & Feedback Next Steps Discussion, questions, next steps