Roads

Objectives

Develop and maintain a transportation system that serves the needs of users in an environmentally sound manner. Arterial and major collector roads will form the backbone of the transportation system in the planning area.

Correct problems associated with high road density by emphasizing the reduction of minor collector and local road densities where such problems exist.

Manage roads to meet the needs identified under other resource programs (e.g., road closures for wildlife). Road management actions/direction are mentioned or implied primarily under Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives, Riparian Reserves, Late-Successional Reserves, Water Quality and Soils, Wildlife, Fish Habitat, Special Status and SEIS Special Attention Species Habitat, Timber Resources, and Recreation.

Land Use Allocations

As of May 1993, there were approximately 2,555 miles of roads on BLM-administered lands in the district.

Management Actions/Direction —

Riparian Reserves

Cooperate with federal, state, and county agencies and work with parties with road use agreements to achieve consistency in road design, operation, and maintenance necessary to attain Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

For each existing or planned road, meet Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives by:

completing watershed analyses, including appropriate geotechnical analyses (i.e., examining soil and rock conditions in riparian and stream crossings) prior to construction of new roads or landings in Riparian Reserves;
minimizing road and landing locations in Riparian Reserves;
preparing road design criteria, elements, and standards that govern construction and reconstruction;
preparing operation and maintenance criteria that govern road operation, maintenance, and management; minimizing disruption of natural hydrologic flow paths, including diversion of streamflow and interception of surface and subsurface flow;
restricting sidecasting as necessary to prevent the introduction of sediment to streams; and
avoiding wetlands entirely when constructing new roads.

Determine the influence of each road on the Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives through watershed analysis. Meet Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives by:

reconstructing roads and associated drainage features that pose a substantial risk;
prioritizing reconstruction based on current and potential impact to riparian resources and the ecological value of the riparian resources affected; and
closing and stabilizing, or obliterating and stabilizing roads based on the ongoing and potential effects to Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives and considering short-term and long-term transportation needs.

Design and construct new culverts, bridges and other stream crossings and improve existing culverts, bridges and other stream crossings determined to pose a substantial risk to riparian conditions. New structures and improvements will be designed to accommodate at least the 100-year flood, including associated bedload and debris. Priority for upgrading will be based on the potential impact and the ecological value of the riparian resources affected. Crossings will be constructed and maintained to prevent diversion of streamflow out of the channel and down the road in the event of crossing failure.

Minimize sediment delivery to streams from roads. Outsloping of the roadway surface is preferred, except in cases where outsloping would increase sediment delivery to streams or where outsloping is infeasible or unsafe. Route road drainage away from potentially unstable channels, fills, and hillslopes.

Provide and maintain fish passage at all road crossings of existing and potential fish-bearing streams (e.g., streams which can be made available to anadromous fish by removing obstacles to passage).

Develop and implement a Road Management Plan or a Transportation Management Plan that meets the Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. As a minimum, this plan will include provisions for the following activities:

inspections and maintenance during storm events;
inspections and maintenance after storm events;
road operation and maintenance giving high priority to identifying and correcting road drainage problems that contribute to degrading riparian resources;
traffic regulation during wet periods to prevent damage to riparian resources; and
establishing the purpose of each road by developing the road management objective.

Management Actions/Direction —

Late-Successional Reserves

Construct roads in Late-Successional Reserves if the potential benefits of silviculture, salvage, and other activities exceed the costs of habitat impairment. If new roads are necessary to implement a practice that is otherwise in accordance with these guidelines, they will be kept to a minimum, routed through unsuitable habitat where possible, and designed to minimize adverse impacts. Alternative access, such as aerial logging, should be considered to provide access for activities in reserves.

Fall trees along rights-of-way if they are a hazard to public safety. Consider leaving material on site if available coarse woody debris is inadequate. Consider topping of trees as an alternative to falling.

Management Actions/Direction —

Key Watersheds

Reduce existing road mileage within key watersheds. If funding is insufficient to implement reductions, neither construct nor authorize through discretionary permits a net increase in road mileage in Key Watersheds.

Management Actions/Direction —

All Land Use Allocations

Address road management planning on a watershed basis consistent with Late-Successional Reserves, Riparian Reserves, and other major allocations. Specific road closures will be determined using standard analysis, public involvement, and notification procedures. District off-highway vehicle designations (open, limited, or closed to use of motorized vehicles) will be adjusted to conform to the approved road management plan.

Determine standards for new road construction during the project planning process. Standards will be the minimum necessary to meet objectives.

Minimize new road construction in areas with fragile soils to reduce impacts to soils, water quality, and fisheries. Stabilize existing roads where they contribute to significant adverse effects on these resources.

Locate, design, construct, and maintain roads to standards that meet management objectives in accordance with the district road management plan.

Follow best management practices (see appendix C) for water quality and soil productivity to mitigate adverse effects on soils, water quality, fish, and riparian habitat during road construction and maintenance.

Reduce road density by closing minor collector and local roads in areas or watersheds where water quality degradation, big game harassment, or other road-related resource problems have been identified.

Acquire water rights for road management purposes.

When roads are constructed in Key Watersheds under nondiscretionary permits, close and restore at least an equal amount of existing roads to meet the management action/direction of reducing road mileage.