Bear River Watershed Council

Witness the Impacts, Document Them,and Make a Difference

Friends of the CanyonsObservation and Response Field Guide

for Volunteers

Friends of the CanyonsObservation and Response Field Guide

for Volunteers

Why this field guide?For the past five years, Bear River Watershed Council

has worked with a coalition of diverse user groups, includ-ing the Wasatch Outlaw Wheelers and the Utah 4-Wheel Drive Association, to restore impacts from irresponsible motorized users. The restoration efforts are making a dif-ference. However, without a continued presence of vol-unteers willing to report suspicious activity, issues, and vandalism, this effort could fail.

We have created this easy reference field guide to help volunteers determine the correct action needed for issues encountered in the Logan Ranger District National Forest.

Using this field guideOn each page you will find photos examples of issues such as erosion or habitat degradation. This field guide is to be used as a resource tool for determining a response to the specific issue and help make a long-term difference.

The Observation is: What you witness, any form of im-pact to public resources and/or suspicious activity.

Your Response Should be: If something has been de-stroyed or damaged, fix and restore what you can. If nec-essary contact Friends of the Canyons coordinator or the Forest Service for further assistance. If you see irrespon-sible or suspicious activity involving vehicles, note the license plate number, vehicle description, and a picture if possible. Contact the Forest Service or Cache County Sheriff with the information. If there is an immediate threat to public safety, contact the Cache County Sheriff.

How to Report:

• If you witness abuse contact: Your local Friends of the Canyons coordinator

Name: ___________________________________

Phone number: ____________________________

E-mail: ____________________________

• The U.S. Forest Service: 435-755-3620• Cache County Sheriff: 435-716-9400• Bear River Watershed Council: brwc@xmission.com

If a vehicle is involved, please note location and vehicle description (snowmobile, motorcycle, ATV) including color, rider’s clothing, and helmet colors and, best of all, a sticker number or license plate number. If possible, take a photo and GPS reading

Sometimes it’s difficult to read

or identify a sticker

number or license plate.

Fire Rings/Litter

The Observation: Nu-merous fire rings, trash, and other impacts from dispersed camping or irre-sponsible users.

The Response: Clean ash, glass, aluminum cans, plas-tic, and other litter from fire rings. A telescoping magnet is very useful to retrieve all of the nails left from burn-ing pallets. The magnets may be purchased at Smith-field Implement for a reasonable price. If the fire ring is in an inappropriate area, or if there is more than one ring in the same proximity, disperse the rocks and scatter the ashes. Carry plastic garbage bags.

Signs shot, destroyed, or removed

The Observation: Signs damaged by being shot, spray painted, run over, or completely removed. Often these signs display acceptable and prohibited modes of travel or recreational activities.

The Response: Contact Friends of the Canyons coordina-tor or Forest Service to have the sign replaced as soon as possible. Once the sign is replaced, put an American flag sticker on it and create a small natural barrier at the base using rocks or sticks. Maintaining or replacing signs as soon as they have been vandalized is perceived as a con-stant presence and eventually the vandalism diminishes.

If the damaged or missing sign puts the public in im-mediate danger, such as a missing stop sign, contact the Forest Service immediately.

See Appendix: Forest Service Rules—Fireworks and Firearms

Bio-Hazard

The Observation: Finding areas used for latrines, port a-potties, or items on the ground such as dis-posable urinals, sanitary napkins, diapers, and/or bloody items.

The Response: Because of the risk and potential infection from pathogens when handling items that may be contaminated with blood or body fluids, it is recom-mended you contact the Forest Service immediately for proper removal.

Established potty next to stream.

Disposable urinal

Noxious Weeds

The Observation: Plants that look out of place by color, size, or shape. On federal lands alone, invasive noxious weeds are spreading at a rate of more than 4,600 acres per day.

The Response: If possible, learn to identify noxious weeds. If not sure, pull the plant and bring it to the Cache County Weed Office. Prevention is the first line of defense by recognizing, reporting, and controlling new infesta-tions before they have a chance to spread.

For more information visit: www.utahweed.org.

See Appendix: County Weed Control Offices

Dyer’s Woad

Attempted Barrier Removal

The Observation: Barriers such as fence posts have been torn down or removed.

The Response: If possible, repair and refasten the fence posts. If posts are missing, contact the Forest Service for new supplies. If new fence posts need to be installed, use long posts that can be buried deep; they are harder to re-move. If you witness a barrier removal firsthand, then call the Forest Service and get a complete description of the vehicle including license information.

See Appendix: Forest Service Rules—Property

Breaching Barrier

The Observation: A cross bar on a barrier has been re-moved or motorized vehicles are driving around barriers.

The Response: If pos-sible, find the cross bar and refasten. If not possible, use debris to block passage until the Forest Service can re-pair. If a barrier is be-ing breached, contact Friends of the Canyons coordinator.

Driving in Spring

The Observation: Deep ruts and torn vegetation are cre-ated from vehicles spinning out in the mud. New routes might also be created in fields or along existing roads.

The Response: The ruts can be filled with natural barriers to discourage further destruction. If the area sees frequent illegal traffic and destruction, contact Friends of the Canyons coordinator or the Forest Service about building a barrier around the area for restoration. If you witness people tearing up the vegetation with their vehicles, take a picture, get a vehicle description including licensing, and a description of the driver. Contact the Forest Service ASAP at 755-3620. Do not approach anybody about a problem—report it to the district!

See Appendix: Forest Service Rules—Operation of Vehicles

Unauthorized Stream Crossings

The Observation: Vegetation along the bank of the stream is torn up and the stream bed is widened.

The Response: Use natural barriers such as rocks and logs to block both sides of the stream, please keep any de-bris or crossing-obstructions above the high water mark.

The Forest Service can also be contacted about placing a sign. Authorized route stream crossings are legal but if there is no bridge, contact the Forest Service to see if one can or should be built.

If you witness people crossing streams illegally in their vehicles take a picture, get a vehicle description including licensing, and a description of the driver. Contact the For-est Service. Do not approach anybody about a problem—report it to the district.

See Appendix: Water Quality Degradation & Forest Service Rules—Operation of Vehicles

Construction of Bridges, Dams, Shelters, and Memorials

The Observation: Structures have been built which appear to be temporary or unauthor-ized. Memorials of any kind are not authorized.

The Response: The Forest Service does allow structures to be built with written per-mission. If the structure you would like to remove could have possibly been built with permission, contact your Friends of the Canyons coordinator before removing it. If it is apparent that the structure is temporary and/or unau-thorized, remove what you can and take it to the dump. Ask for the fee to be waived for volunteer efforts. Memorials should not be removed but reported directly to the Forest Service. A photo and specific location would be helpful.

Paintball and Airsoft

The Observation: The area is littered with splattered paint, paintball shells, or airsoft pellets which are small and green. Structures such as forts and dugouts may have been constructed and barriers may have been brought in for more obstacles. A network of high-use trail systems might also exist.

The Response: If possible, remove structures that have been built, and clean up what you can. Contact your Friends of the Canyons coordinator to organize a cleanup.

See Appendix: Impacts—Soil compaction, litter

Blocking unauthorized, user-created, routes

The Observation: Unauthorized routes and roads have been created by users for shortcuts or other purposes.

The Response: The idea is to deter irresponsible users and maintain or begin the restoration process. Pile logs, branches, and rocks to block unauthorized routes. If nec-essary obstructions can follow the entire route intermit-tently, spaced as far apart as needed. Help maintain the obstruction. If users scatter the barriers to access the un-authorized routes, rebuild them as soon as possible. Plac-ing multiple barriers along the routes can discourage the users who will hopefully give up after seeing how much work it will take to clear the path. Hand saws can be used to cut more manageable-sized logs, and using a pry bar can help move large boulders.

What You Can Do:

Obvious unauthorized travel around ineffective sign.

Placing debris di-rectly around

barriers and signs helps stop vandalism.

Return to the site often to maintain.

Ineffective sign.

Organize restoration projects and/or litter pick up.

The Observation: Large amounts of litter or off-route, unauthorized travel. Enough work that the community is needed to make an impact.

The Response: Contact your Friends of the Canyons co-ordinator and Bear River Watershed Council representa-tive to offer suggestions and for assistance in organization possibilities.

Garbage Disposal: Garbage bags are available from the Forest Service and they can be disposed of in the dump-ster at the Ranger Station. Large items can be taken to the Logan Landfill. Ask for a fee waiver for volunteer efforts. Please recycle all applicable materials. Recycling bins are located on the southeast side of Hillside Elementary, the north side of Smith’s, or on the USU campus.

What You Can Do:

Top left: Providence Canyon water-shed protection barriers.

Top right: Planting seed for restora-tion effort and erosion control above Hyde Park Canyon.

Center: Providence Canyon litter pick up.

Bottom: Providence Canyon litter pick up with USU Parks and Recreation Club.

Appendix:

Impacts from irresponsible behavior include:

Soil Compaction Compacts at least 12” deep Increases runoff Decreases soil water storage Reduces root growth Disrupts seed germination

Wildlife Habitat Fragmentation Diminished territory Stress due to noise Infant mortality Available food loss

Exotic Plant Species Introduction Noxious weed dispersal Invasive weeds cover 4,600 acres a day Water tables dry up Increases the threat of wildfire Reduces wildlife habitat

Water Quality Degradation Water-clogging sediment Impacts drinking and irrigation water Compromises fish habitat

Irresponsible use includes: Disregard for the rules Trespassing Users creating unauthorized routes Driving off designated routes Driving through streams, meadows, and springs Out-of-season use

Forest Service Rules

Property1) Do not carve, chop, cut, or damage any live or stand-

ing/dead trees.2) Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave nat-

ural areas the way you find them.3) Enter buildings, structures, or enclosed areas in Na-

tional Forests only when they are expressly opened to the public.

Operation of Vehicles1) Motorized vehicles are restricted to designated roads,

trails and areas except to access dispersed campsites.2) When operating vehicles of any kind, do not damage the

land or vegetation or disturb wildlife. Avoid driving on unpaved roads or trails when they are wet or muddy.

3) Within campgrounds and other recreation sites, use cars, motorbikes, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles only for entering or leaving, unless areas or trails are specifically marked for them. Park only in marked parking areas.

4) Do not block, restrict, or interfere with the use of roads, trails, or gates.

Fireworks and Firearms1) Firing a gun is not allowed:

a) in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area;

b) across or on a road or body of water;c) in any circumstance whereby any person may be

injured or property damaged. *Recreational shooting is generally allowed on National Forest lands,

with the exception of Green Canyon.

Safety ConsiderationsBelow is a list of items to keep in mind while out on

the trail. Remember that safety is our number one priority, and nothing is so important as to compromise that.

1. Be alert while hiking. Know the trail conditions and weather forecast. Look out for overhanging branches, and avoid risky situations. Plan ahead! Always carry a trail map, first aid kit, emergency supplies, and water.

2. Wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged periods in the sun. Set a moderate pace and slow down during extreme temperatures. Do the hardest work in the morning. Do not overextend yourself; know your limits.

3. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, work gloves, hiking boots, and eye protection. Remember sunscreen and bug repellent.

4. If chemical, medical, or other hazardous wastes are found, report them to the Logan Ranger District, do not try to remove.

5. Examine trash piles and fire rings before cleaning them. Look for sharp objects such as glass or needles.

6. Lift with your legs, not with your back. Hold heavy objects close to your body, and use slow, smooth movements.

7. If you are using hand tools, keep them sharp. Maintain a proper grip, and don’t use them in wet weather.

8. If you get your water from a river or stream, purify it before drinking. Use a purifier or iodine tablets.

9. You may encounter wild animals while out hiking. Remember to avoid females with young and look out for bee nests. If you encounter either one, walk slowly away; do not run.

10. Reduce vehicle speed at or after dusk. Be vigilant for deer or other animals.

Contact List for Weed Control:Box Elder5730 W. 8800 N.Tremonton, UT 84337(435) 730-4115

Cache County525 N. 1000 W.Logan, UT 84321(435) 755-1562www.utahweed.org

Rich CountyCourthouse Box 275Randolph, UT 84064(435) 793-5575

Franklin County, ID561 W. OneidaPreston, ID 83263(208) 852-0653

Noxious weed and inva-sive species information for the state of Utah can be obtained from the fol-lowing Web site:

http://extension.usu.edu/weedweb/

In Cooperation With:

If your organization or company would like to join this effort, please contact us at: brwc@xmission.com

Notes: