2. USFS Trails Fundamentals Required Training Materials: (print before continuing training session)  Trail Fundamentals Reference Package  Posted at: www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail- management/trail-fundamentals/

3. USFS Trails Fundamentals The Cornerstones...

4. Trail Fundamentals  Trail Type  Trail Class  Managed Use  Designed Use  Design Parameters  CASM

5. FY00-FY04 National Trails Program Emphasis  Review, revise and improve national database (Infra Trails)  Develop complimentary trail condition survey process (TRACS)

6. Objectives  Effective and efficient tool that’s useful for trail managers  Accurate and accountable data to meet planning, public information and upward reporting needs

7. How?  Start from a Common Point of Reference  Link the Pieces  FSM/FSH Definitions & Direction FSM/FSH  FS Standard Drawings & SpecificationsDrawings  Trail Management Business Rules  GIS Spatial Data  Deferred Maintenance ProtocolsProtocols  Federal Trail Data StandardsStandards

8. Establishing a Common Point of Reference… Trail Management Objectives (TMO)

9. TMOs Documentation of the intended purpose and management of a National Forest System Trail based on management direction, including access objectives.

10. Trail Management Objectives

11. TMO Trail Definition

12. TMO Trail Type

13. A category that reflects the predominant trail surface and general mode of travel accommodated by a trail.

14. Trail Types  Standard / Terra Trail  Snow Trail  Water Trail

15. Standard/Terra Trail  Predominant foundation is ground  Designed and managed to accommodate ground-based trail use

16. Snow Trail  Predominant foundation is snow or ice  Designed and managed to accommodate snow-based trail use  Does not include winter “play areas”

17. Water Trail  Predominant foundation is water  Designed and managed to accommodate water-based trail use  May include overland portage segments

18. Trail Types  Only one Trail Type per trail.  Allow managers to identify specific technical specifications, management needs and the cost of managing the trail for particular uses and/or seasons by trail or trail segment.

19. What about overlap?  Identify them as Linked Routes so mileage duplication can be filtered out during queries. When two Trail Types are on same route:  Identify each trail with it’s own Name, Number, and Trail Type.

20. Trail Type

21. Trail Class

22. The prescribed scale of development for a trail, representing its intended design and management standards.standards

23. Trail Class  Reflects the management intent for a trail, based on the land management plan, travel management decisions, trail-specific decisions, and other related direction.  Takes into account Managed Uses, user preferences, setting, sensitive resources, and other management activities.  May or may not reflect the current condition of the trail.

24. Trail Classes  Only one Trail Class identified per trail or trail segment.  Trail Classes reflect “typical” scenarios of combined factors, and deviations may occur for any factor.  Choose the one that most closely matches the management intent of the trail.

25. Trail Class Matrix

26. Trail Class Examples

27. Trail TypeTrail Class

28. TMO ROS / WROS Recreation / Wilderness Recreation Opportunity Spectrum

29. TMO Designed Use

30. TMO Managed Use

31. The mode(s) of travel that are actively managed and appropriate, on a trail, based on its design and management.

32. Managed Use  Managed Use indicates a management intent to accommodate a specific use.  There can be more than one Managed Use per trail or trail segment.  Managed Uses are usually a small subset of the allowed uses on a trail.

33. Managed Use  There is a direct relationship between Managed Use and Trail Class.  Identify the Managed Uses for each trail or trail segment based on applicable land management direction, travel management decisions, trail-specific decisions, and other related direction.

34. Managed Uses Standard/Terra Trail Uses: Hiker / Pedestrian Pack and Saddle Bicycle Motorcycle All Terrain Vehicle 4WD > 50” in Width Snow Trail Uses: Cross Country Ski Snowshoe Snowmobile Water Trail Uses: Motorized Watercraft Non-Motorized Watercraft

35. Trail TypeTrail ClassManaged Use

36. From Managed Use… Managed Use AManaged Use BManaged Use C … Designed Use

37. TMO Designed Use

38. The Managed Use of a trail that requires the most demanding design, construction, and maintenance parameters and that, in conjunction with the applicable Trail Class, determines which Design Parameters will apply to a trail.

39. Designed Use  Although the trail may be actively managed for more than one use, and numerous uses may be allowed...  …there is only one Designed Use per trail or trail segment.

40. Designed Use  Determines technical specifications for trail design, construction and maintenance  For each Designed Use and applicable Trail Class, there’s a corresponding set of nationally standardized technical specifications….

41. Designed Uses Standard/Terra Trail Uses: Hiker / Pedestrian Pack and Saddle Bicycle Motorcycle All Terrain Vehicle 4WD > 50” in Width Snow Trail Uses: Cross Country Ski Snowshoe Snowmobile Water Trail Uses: Motorized Watercraft Non-Motorized Watercraft

42. Trail TypeTrail ClassManaged Use Designed Use

43. TMO Design Parameters

44. Technical guidelines for the survey, design, construction, maintenance, and assessment of a trail, based on its Designed Use and Trail Class.

45. Design Parameters  Standardized set of construction and maintenance specifications.  Local deviations may be established based on trail-specific conditions, topography and other factors….  ….provided that they are consistent with the general intent of the applicable Trail Class.

46. Design Parameters  Design Tread Width  Design Surface  Design Grade  Design Cross Slope  Design Clearing  Design Turns

47. Design Parameters

48. Trail ClassTrail TypeManaged Use Designed UseDesign Parameters

49. TMO Target Frequency

50. TMO Access & Travel Management:  Managed Use  Prohibited Use

51. TMO Special Considerations

52.  Shared System  Accessible  Mechanized Tools/Equipment Prohibited  T&E / Sensitive Species  Heritage Resource  Easement, Permit, Agreement  etc…

53. TMO Remarks & Reference Information

54.  Document additional clarification  Cite reference decisions & materials  Footnote!

55. TMO Line Officer Approval

56. 1.Trail Manager: Prepare draft TMO for reviews & finalization 2.District Ranger: Review and approve official TMO 3.If subsequent TMO changes, revise the TMO (following steps 1 & 2)

57. TMOs Documentation of the intended purpose and management of a National Forest System Trail based on management direction, including access objectives.

58. TMOs  TMOs may or may not reflect the current condition of a trail.  TMOs are not management decisions.  TMOs can be changed.  During other data validation updates, do not inadvertently change an approved TMO or MVUM.  Training is important.

59. TMO’s Pulling it all together

60. Next Step TMO: Point of Reference  Apply Design & Maintenance Standards  Trail Condition Assessments

61. Collect Field Data  What data to collect?  How much is enough?

62. Trail CASM Condition Assessment Survey Matrix

63.  Efficient and appropriate inventory and condition surveys  Survey frequency and accuracy commensurate with level of development and investment  Applicable to Infra data entry  Applicable to public information Trail CASM

65. Trail Fundamentals  Trail Type   Trail Class    Managed Use   Designed Use    Design Parameters  CASM  FTDS: Federal Trail Data Standards FTDS  FSTAG: FS Trail Accessibility Guidelines FSTAG

66. Where to find it? www.fs.fed.us Recreational Activities Special Programs Trail Management

67. Where to find it? httphttp://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/ibsc/index.shtmlfsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/ibsc/index.shtml

68. Trail Fundamentals Cornerstones of…  Efficient Trail Planning & Management  Consistent, Quality Data  Accurate, Accountable Inventory & Costing