Forest Access Road BMPs for Forest Landowners

Forest access roads require proper planning to ensure a long, useful life with minimal negative impact. Learn how to design, construct, mitigate, and retire forest roads.

Roads and trails through forestland represent one of the major causes of erosion and sedimentation of any forest practice. Forest access roads require proper planning to ensure a long, useful life with minimal negative impact. This presentation will cover the benefits of having roads in the woodlot, considerations for best locations (layout), road construction considerations and BMPs (e.g., slope, water bars, dips, cross drain culverts, rubber belt deflectors, etc.), stream crossings, permits, erosion control plans, road retirement and maintenance, soils, PNDI, where to go for assistance, municipal issues, and other issues including wetland crossings, the PA Fish and Boat Code and PA DOT.