Proposed HBRA Trail 3-4 Realignment Project Submitted April 7, 2011 THE PROBLEM Trail 3: A section of Trail 3 from approximately its junction with Trail 4 to its junction with Trail 7 is seasonally wet for at least six months every year primarily because it is located in a draw that concentrates subsurface water from the surrounding hills. The vegetation is primarily sedges, grasses and forbs in an open meadow. Horse hooves punch through any practical trail surface, liquefying the soil and creating slippery, muddy conditions. Hikers seek drier ground along parallel paths, creating multiple trails that concentrate the water and create ruts. The trail condition is unsafe for many hikers, and is causing unnecessary damage to the vegetation. It may contribute a small amount of sediment to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River, a 303d-listed “water quality limited” stream. Hikers not wanting a muddy experience avoid the north part of the park for much of the year. As a result, recreational use is concentrated on other trails, which increases the maintenance needed on those trails. Trail 4 crosses the same draw as Trail 3 and also intercepts the flow from three other seasonal draws that concentrate subsurface runoff onto Trail 4. The water then flows down the trail causing erosion, a deep gully and very muddy conditions that are hazardous for both equestrians and hikers for most of the year. Even in the dry season, the hardened ruts and 8-inch deep holes made by horse hooves pose a risk of injury to people and animals. THE NEED FOR ACTION The Need for Action is to improve the safety of the trails, increase access to the north end of the park, reduce damage to vegetation, improve water management and surfacing, and reduce erosion and sediments contributed to the Willamette River. A firmer trail surface would allow more hikers and equestrians to use this portion of the Buford Park trail network throughout the year and more evenly distribute use. SCOPE OF PROJECT The Project would build 3300 feet (approximately .6 miles) of new trail to create a year-round safe trail access in the north end of HBRA. Phase I would realign approximately 1600 feet of Trail #3. Phase II would realign approximately 1700 feet of Trail #4. HBRA Trail 3-4 Realignment Project Page 1 Figure 1. Howard Buford Recreation Area Trail Map with Project Area identified. HBRA Trail 3-4 Realignment Project Page 2 Figure 1. Map of Proposed Relocation Routes for Trails 3 and 4, and Existing Trails in the Vicinity. (Proposed re-routes are shown in dashed yellow lines.) HBRA Trail 3-4 Realignment Project Page 3 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS The implementation actions described below apply to both Phase I and Phase II. 1. Remove vegetation from new trail corridor consistent with HBRA Trail Management Plan. Clear vegetation at least 4’ wide and up to 10’ wide and 10’ high (to accommodate equestrians). o Survey in Spring for tall bugbane (Cimicifuga elata var elata, a candidate for listing under the Oregon’s Endangered Species Act) and other rare plants. – FBP volunteer botanists or FBP Stewardship Coordinator. o Mow vegetation and, where needed, limb up trees to 10’ above the ground. — FBP volunteers (and FBP crew if funding can be secured) using hand held brush cutters, hand tools and, where accessible, BCS walk behind mower. o Apply thermal treatment within footprint of trail corridor – FBP crew with propane burner tractor implement. o Fell approximately 3 trees on the new Trail #3 and 6 small trees and limb up 3 trees in trail corridor. – FBP crew or volunteers with chainsaws and tractor. Before removing large trees, FBP shall document tree(s) to be removed via flagging, GPS coordinates and a digital photo that will be emailed to John Moriarty and Phil Guyette. o If necessary, apply herbicide or thermal treatments (but not in fire season) to control invasive weeds (such as false brome) along the trail corridor to prevent weed dispersal. — FBP stewardship assistant or crew using backpack propane torch backpack sprayer. 2. Cut new Trail bed to mineral soil. o Remove sod within footprint of trail bed to reach mineral soil. - FBP volunteers (sometimes supported by FBP crew if funding is secured) using a tractor where accessible or hand tools and motorized wheelbarrows. o Grade and contour base trail. – FBP crew and volunteers. 3. Apply Gravel Surface where site conditions dictate. NOTE: This work will be accomplished in multiple volunteer work parties during the project. o Stockpile gravel at the junction of Trail #1 and Trail #3. If Lane County funding allows, Lane County drivers will deliver gravel. Alternately, S & M Rock and Loam on Seavey Loop Road could deliver gravel. o Transport and apply gravel 3’ wide onto to new trail bed .– - FBP crew & volunteers w/hand tools, motorized wheelbarrows, and FBP RTV and FBP tractor with front-end loader. 4. Retire and Re-vegetate Abandoned Trail segments AFTER new segments are open o Sign each end of the abandoned trail segment to encourage use of new trail. – FBP volunteers (and FBP crew if funding can be secured) using hand tools or powered auger (if funding permits.) o Pile downed logs and branches to obstruct each end of abandoned trail segment. – FBP volunteers (and FBP crew if funding can be secured) using tractor and loader if accessible, or RTV or hand tools. o Till top 2” to 3” of compacted abandoned trail bed and then sow a mix of native grass and wildflower seed in Fall. – FBP volunteers (and FBP crew if funding can be secured).FBP volunteers (and FBP crew if funding can be secured) using hand tools or powered auger. HBRA Trail 3-4 Realignment Project Page 4