
From the State of New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Trails
Trail construction and maintenance may involve impacts to wetlands and other natural resources: an understanding of these impacts and methods to minimize them.
In addition to providing recreation, trails foster an appreciation and respect of nature. Trail construction and maintenance may involve impacts to wetlands and other natural resources. This publication attempts to create an understanding of these impacts and provide the methods necessary to minimize them. 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. 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
The ideal recreational trail is one that requires minimal maintenance. 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 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.
The best wetlands protection is avoidance. Should modification to the landscape be required, it is imperative to minimize soil disturbance near wetlands. The first step in trail planning is to visually inspect the area. 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. Survey the trail during wet months!
Poorly designed, located, constructed, and maintained trails can cause significant erosion and sedimentation problems. The first rule of trail design is to avoid crossing wetlands, or other sensitive areas, such as vernal pools. 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.
Where wetlands crossings are unavoidable, crossings should be properly designed and placed at the narrowest wetland location. Trail design should always ensure that runoff water and drainage from the trail is collected in a stabilized area or sediment basin. Natural drainage patterns should not be disrupted or moved, as the runoff water and surface water may be providing moisture to wetlands downslope or downstream. The design of these drainage ways ensures that runoff volume and velocity is handled without risk of erosion or sedimentation. Surveying the trail during wet months will help determine drainage patterns and the location of wetlands and saturated soils.
Water is a powerful attractant to people. Typically, many trails have been built too close to the water, with resulting environmental and maintenance problems. Good trail design can balance the desire to be near water with environmental protection by incorporating scenic viewpoints, vegetative buffer zones, and by minimizing the number of wetland crossings.
Published January 2004
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posted Apr 7, 2023
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posted Jul 15, 2022
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posted Jul 15, 2022
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