May 2019 Review of Lincoln Log Barriers Installed
in October 2018 - Post Carr Fire Recovery Update
BLM Chappie-Shasta OHV Area
Efficacy is the ability of achieving a goal or objective
to produce the intended result. In the
case of post-wildfire recovery of recreation facilities those efforts often
include travel management-related projects to reestablish delineation of
designated routes, highlight a trail entrance, or protect natural or cultural
resources.
Over the last 18 years, QWR has witnessed the increased
frequency of reoccurring intense wildfires impacting popular federal recreation
areas in the California and the West.
Lincoln Log Barriers Installed in Oct. 2018
Many land management agencies have historically relied on
a post wildfire model to “buy and replace” milled timber barriers to meet
desired travel management objectives. Often purchasing, constructing, and transporting
a milled timber barrier with footings and rebar stakes to its destination at a remote
trailhead or cultural site can exceed $100 to $150 dollars each.
While milled timber barriers or trail delineators may
still be valid and necessary depending on desired management objectives, QWR
believes our new and more frequent wildfire reality requires us to reevaluate
the automatic response to purchase miles of costly milled timber barriers vs.
increased use of “free” on-site dead or dying trees to construct “lincoln log” trail
delineators.
Milled Timber Barriers Installed in Oct. 2018
BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area
To review the effectiveness of lincoln log delineators to
restrict OHV travel on routes impacted by dozer lines, QWR reviewed post-Carr
Fire recovery efforts at the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California.
In October of 2018, OHV volunteers and BLM recreation
staff installed both milled timber and non-dig lincoln log barriers/trail
delineators on several dozer lines created during fire suppression efforts.
The “No Dig” Strike Team was directed to a dozer line
that needed barriers installed. The team cut various lengths of dead trees
on-site which were then laid into the v-notches of natural footings also cut
on-site from fire damaged trees.
This created a stable natural-looking no-dig
barrier/delineator that highlighted the designated path of vehicle travel
and/or the area that was protected.
A recent field review in May 2019 showed those no-dig
lincoln log barriers were meeting their management objective and were just as
effective to date as the milled timber barriers.
May 2019 Review of Milled Timber Barriers that were
Installed in Oct. 2018 - BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area
QWR believes that some credit to the effectiveness of
both the no-dig and milled timber barriers can be attributed to ongoing travel
management efforts by the Forest Service, BLM, and the California Off-Highway
Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to encourage OHV travel on designated roads,
trails, and areas.
Freshly Installed Lincoln Log Trail Delineators Installed
May 2019 at Post River Fire Recovery Project
BLM Cow Mountain OHV Area
While the 2005 Forest Service Travel Management Rule that
directed all National Forests to designate roads, trails and areas for
motorized use was at the time controversial, it appears that post-2005 travel
management planning efforts and subsequent implementation strategies may be
contributing to the user community’s willingness to stay on designated routes
at popular OHV areas in the West that are at risk from intense wildfires.
Lincoln log barriers/delineators are just one of many
post wildfire recovery travel management tools that may not be as effective in
high use areas such as campgrounds and staging areas where milled timber or
rock barriers are more appropriate.
However in more remote areas where OHV recreationists are
simply passing through on a designated road or trail, the no dig delineator
might prove to be a more cost-effective option.
