Trail Development

Trail development includes the maintenance of existing trails, construction of new trails and/or parts thereof, and reconstruction of existing trails.  The trail development chairperson may also serve with the approval of the Executive Council as contact person with other groups, both public and private, regarding trail matters. The general activities of trail development will be under the general responsibility of the trail development chairperson.  The trail development chairperson is appointed  by the Executive Council.  A co-chairperson may also be appointed.  The trail development chairperson may also appoint others, either as committees or individually, to assist in trail development activities.

Responsibilities:
  1.  Establish a schedule of trail development dates for the year.  There are usually five (5) trail maintenance dates set each year.  They are:
a.    Near the end of April
b.    First Saturday of June (National Trail day)
c.    First part of July, not conflicting with the 4th
d.    First part of September, not conflicting with Labor Day
e.    First part of October
 

All dates are on Saturdays.  The chairperson is responsible to notify the vice-president of the Executive Council of the dates selected so they can be incorporated into the yearly Prospectus.  The chairperson works with the vice-president to ensure that the dates selected are compatible with other activities being planned for the coming year.  No hiking activities are scheduled for the established trail development dates.

2.  Work with federal and state agencies and others to identify work sites.  The chairperson works with others to help establish work sites.  The U.S. Forest Service in Detroit and Sweet Home are good contact places.  The BLM office in Salem also has an active program.  They do a lot of work in the Molalla River area.  State Parks may also have candidate work sites.

3.  Establish work sites.  The chairperson is responsible for the identification of specific work sites and to put the corresponding notice in the Bulletin on a timely basis.  The chairperson is usually the leader on each trail development activity.  The Chairperson is also responsible for transportation to and from the work site.  Transportation is usually provided by volunteers from the work party similar to the procedure used for other activities.  Transportation may also be provided by others.

4.  Storage and maintenance of tools.  We currently have three (3) large boxes of trail maintenance tools.  The chairperson is responsible for tool storage, maintenance and repair.  The chairperson recommends tool purchases to the Executive Council for significant cost items.

5.  Reports:
a.      Submit mileage reports to the treasurer so that volunteer drivers may be reimbursed for driving on trail maintenance days.
b.      Submit annual report to the Forest Service or others regarding activities undertaken on their respective facilities during the year.
c.      Submit annual report to the Executive Council including the work accomplished, volunteer participation, and the costs incurred.
d.      Submit other reports as requested.
e.      Apply for trail related grants upon the direction and approval of the Executive Council.

Submitted by Dave Carter, July 2004