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Environmentally sensitive areas include: • Stream corridors • Wetlands • Erosion prone soils/steep slopes • Seismic hazard areas • Flood plains Trails are problematic in environmentally sensitive areas because of the following: • Wildlife habitat is disrupted • Buffers are reduced to construct trails and valuable vegetation is lost • Human access implies human impacts including litter, vandalism, and safety concerns in difficult to monitor areas • Drainage is often problematic; soggy conditions require more maintenance • Compaction, sedimentation, and erosion are all consequences of trail construction, maintenance and general usage These concerns may be addressed by the following approaches: • Strictly controlled access Access should be prohibited in areas of extreme sensitivity, i.e. nesting sites. Where access is possible without irreparable damage to the area, pedestrian-only trails could be considered. Prohibiting bicycle access would limit the speed and impact of human presence. Pedestrian-only nature trails should be relatively short(0.0-1.0 mile loops) and easily monitored for safety and disturbance to the habitat. • Sensitive design Locate trails to follow the natural topography, thus reducing the overall amount of erosion caused and insuring a good fit with the landscape. • Use of appropriate design materials Design with naturally porous materials such as shredded bark is desirable from both aesthetic and maintenance standpoints. Boardwalks are commonly used in wetland areas. Wood, however, can be slippery under wet conditions. Skid-proof corrugated metal or plastic boardwalks are available that rest on top of the soil, dispersing the impact of concentrated foot and bicycle traffic. Disabled users in wheelchairs should also be considered when selecting appropriate materials. Options such a porous asphalt and natural soil binding agents such as "Stabilizer" should be considered to address the needs of the mobility impaired. Although these materials can be expensive initially, social and aesthetic benefits go far in balancing cost concerns. W:\PLANNING\TRAILS\COMP96.DOC 45