ROAD & TRAILS MANAGEMENT PLAN
By Eric Morey
Here are my notes from the 10/29/11 RTMP Marin County Parks meeting: A Visitor Use Survey was conducted during September and October, considered the peak time for activity at the preserves. The surveys were conducted by volun-teers on weekdays from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and weekends from 11 am to 1 pm. Seventeen (17) preserves that are considered High Use Areas, half of 34 total preserves, were surveyed at road/trail intersections.
A copy of the Survey Sheet is available online. For information go to:
http://maringov.org/en/Depts/PK/Our Work/OS Main Projects/RTMP.aspx
• Some of the survey items included the number of dogs and the mode of travel (hike, bike, horse). It is estimated that there are 100,000 dogs in Marin for a population of 250,000.
• 30% of the people contacted answered the survey, which is considered a good response. Of the participants in the survey, 61% were female; 90% lived in Marin; and 70% were over 45.
• There are 201 miles of presumed trails in the preserves, and an additional 35 miles that were previously unmapped.
• A separate survey of the roads and trails showed a “tread condition” with 55% of trails in good condition, 32% fair and 13% poor, of trails surveyed so far.
• 21% of trails had good drainage, 46% fair, and 32% poor.
• Overall trail condition was 43% good, 27% fair, and 30% poor.
• The potential for trail sediment was determined to be 65% low potential; 25% moderate potential, and 10% were high potential for sedimentation.
• Preserved trails have at least 315 stream crossings, including bridges and fords.
We have read the following Marin County Conservation Leagues description of the RTMP and agree with it and their conclusion. “The newly renamed Department continues to move forward on two major work programs on the preserves: the Vegetation Management Plan <http://maringov.org/Depts/PK/Our%20Work/OS%20Main%20Projects/VMP.aspx> and the Roads & Trails Management Plan <http://maringov.org/Depts/PK/Our%20Work/OS%20Main%20Projects/RTMP.aspx> (RTMP). The two efforts have been converging in recent months as maps of roads and trails—their locations, condition, uses, and needs—are overlaid on vegetation maps that identify four “zones” representing greatest to least habitat importance and sensitivity to disturbance. The objective is to limit disturbance to habitats and guide recreational roads and trails use away from most sensitive, i.e., most constrained, areas on the preserves. Consistent with “Community Marin <http://www.marinconservationleague.org/article6/246-community-marin.html> ” policy, we will continue to advocate for no net increase in trails on the preserves and for decommissioning social and illegal trails that are fragmenting or otherwise disturbing habitats.”
Past Articles
MOTOR VEHICLES FOR DISABLED TO BE ALLOWED ON TRAILS
Motorized vehicles including golf carts, scooters, motorcycles and Segways could join hikers, equestrians and bikers on open space trails under a new county ordinance adopted in accord with federal law. The county will be able to bar vehicles after it conducts a study of the motor devices at issue, and the trail on which it could be used although there are no guidelines for such studies. The county will study the propriety of trail vehicles used by the disabled on a case-by-case basis, although no guidelines have been established. There is concern about abuse of the law by the non-disabled
MANAGEMENT PLAN/EIR REPORT REVEALS ILLEGAL TRAILS
by Jean Berensmeier
Four Steering Committee members attended the June 18 half day community workshop. Director Linda Dahl reviewed input from the March meeting. She stressed that the Planning process had to be consistent with existing plans and policies that included the 2007 County Wide Plan update, the 2008 Strategic Plan, the 2008 Management Plan and subsequent policies. The group was updated on the Vegetation Management Plan/EIR and saw impressive maps showing the legacy, restoration, enhancement and urban interface and highly disturbed zones and their relationship to the RTMP & EIR. Staff will be adding vegetation types, sensitive plants and a wildlife urban interface to the plan. We were informed of the status of the Road and Trail Inventory. It was interesting to hear how difficult it is to survey the existing trails because of the “spider web” of illegal trails. Rechecking a trail resulted in finding new illegal trails. The small group exercise to list how the network of trails might be altered became a venue for a new group of young bikers, their leaders and the usual advocates to add new trails and improvements at each station that were described as being “sustainable”, “contoured” and provided “safety”. Two proposed bike trails, in this exercise, will be of interest and concern to the Valley. A bike connector down the “wilderness” spine of Roys Redwoods and a low elevation 4 to 5 mile trail through the villages of Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls and Lagunitas.