BACKGROUND:
Widespread Dispersed Recreation on the Middle Fork of the Applegate River probably began occurring in the 1960's. At that time the various flats previously occupied by miner's became desirable sites mostly due to the already established road access and nearby plunge pools in the river. Almost every flat along the river is now a site for dispersed recreation activity. At last count 17 high use sites (> 151 visitors/year) have been identified within a stretch of about 5 miles, with several other moderate (51-150 visitors/yr.) and low (1-50 visitors/yr.) use sites scattered in between. It's obvious the high use sites are causing the most impact to riparian resources with approximately 10 acres of riparian reserve being affected. Vegetation is being removed or damaged because of the intense summer use and affects of high impact camping methods used by visitors. There is also a significant amount of non-native species at sites most likely brought in by miner's but in a few cases transported by recreationists. No noxious weeds have been detected along the Middle Fork at this time.
With over 30 years of intense recreation use sanitation is a serious problem. Even after regular clean-up by recreation crews and fire prevention personnel (Rec. Work at the Ground Level...paper by Mike Hannon) there is still a significant amount of clean-up and site restoration work to do. Bottle caps, cigarette buts, years worth of partially burned debris in fire rings, nails and wires in trees, broken glass, "potty" spots, scattered trash, and graffiti on rocks and trees is a partial description of what remains after a "surface" cleaning of a typical site.
Damage is occurring due to uncontrolled vehicle access. Visitors are clearing vegetation and debris making new vehicle routes into existing dispersed sites and in several areas expanding vehicle parking by establishing new fire rings. New areas are being compacted by repeated vehicle use, estimated at approximately 0.05 acre per year. In some sites evidence of sheeting and rilling can be seen.
Other impacts include trammeling of stream side vegetation from repeated foot traffic, removal of down woody debris and cutting of green trees for firewood, and encroachment on stream channels as vehicles inch closer.
The long term effects of uncontrolled dispersed recreation use could have implications on performance of the riparian reserve with regard to water quality, plants, and fish and wildlife.
PROJECT:
In the spring of '97 one large dispersed recreation site located next to the Horse Camp Trailhead (site of abandoned Cook and Green CG) was cleaned up and restored using standard restoration techniques. Previous to restoration work the site contained four camp sites with fire rings all located within 50' of Cook and Green Creek; a spur road that accessed Horse Camp TH from FS Rd. 1040 (~0.1 mile long) was within 50-150' of Cook and Green Creek; concrete picnic table footings with rebar protruding were in the stream channel; and several pick up loads of trash could be expected from the site annually.
The plan was to bring the trailhead back out closer to Rd. 1040 and close vehicle access to the dispersed sites and the existing Horse Camp Trailhead. A new trailhead was constructed next to Rd. 1040 with parking spurs and drive thru capability for easy and safe ingress and egress. This added 0.1 mile to the Horse Camp Trail length. In addition the spur road to the trailhead and dispersed camp sites was ripped and local top soil hauled in and spread. Two of the four camp sites were removed along with the dilapidated tables. Over 600 native shrubs and trees were planted.
Planning and design work was done by RRNF Landscape Architect and Applegate District personel. Specialist's surveyed for T&E and S&M species. Watershed Analysis and LSR assessments were done or in process of completion. Work was accomplished with use of RRNF Road Crew, staff members from REAL Corp, and volunteers from the Multi-user Trails Coalition.
FINDINGS:
Monitoring has been ongoing. Plant survival remains around 80percent. One attempt by a vehicle to circumvent the rock barriers failed with minor displacement of boulders and damage to plants. Vandalism is evident but has steadily decreased since implementation. The two remaining dispersed sites are being used with no new fire rings created. Site operations and maintenance costs are slightly less with the reduced number of camp sites and limited vehicle access. Trailhead access is improved with the elimination of the 0.1 mile spur shortening travel time for trailhead maintenance. Installation of metal bulletin boards has reduced costs from vandalism.
Public response to the change has been minimal with very few comments positive or negative. Most comments have come internally from other Forest employees and they have been positive. Most comments are in regard to design and how nice the area looks and to an equal degree the improved condition of the riparian area.
FOLLOW-UP:
Monitoring will continue with attention to keeping the walk-in camp sites cleaned up and planted vegetation growing. Vandalism is likely to continue, but should level off as users become more accustomed to changes.
Additional funding for dispersed site restoration has come to us through
10 percent Funds (dollars
set aside from the sale of commodities off national forest lands for road and trail restoration). Three
more high priority dispersed sites will be selected for restoration with varying degrees of work done to confine
impact, restore riparian resources, and educate users on riparian reserves and low impact camping. Work is
scheduled for FY99.