Minimum_Impact_Guidelines.docx

MINIMUM IMPACT CAMPING GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION: Welcome to the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests and to the Recreation, Trail and Wilderness resources we are proud to manage. We take protection of these resources very seriously. Please respect and protect the natural environment, especially in Wilderness. Leave the area clean and in its natural condition. The following thoughts and procedures are provided to help educate contractors and visitors about minimum impact camping and its practical application. Good luck and thanks for helping manage your National Forests.

Campsite Selection: Careful selection of your campsite is key to protecting natural resources. Choose the site thoughtfully and use it lightly. In some instances campsites will be pre-selected for you. If possible, select previously used campsites and stay within the previously impacted area to reduce vegetation loss. Select campsites in durable areas at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, and trails. Pick sites which drain well naturally. Do not construct drainage ditches, lean-to’s, or bough beds.. Self supporting tents and foam pads are alternatives to using native material.

Standing dead and live trees will not be damaged, notched, or nailed to. Shims or padding must be in place when rope is tied to trees. Green trees will not be cut without CR or representative approval.

The camp area shall be maintained to present a clean, neat, and orderly appearance. It will be kept clean and free of litter at all times, (e.g. cans, pull tabs, cigarette butts, bread closures, foil.) Firewood debris and chips will be raked weekly during camp occupation and wood kept in a stack.

1. Caching: Equipment caches are prohibited. All equipment (including stoves, tables, beds, tools, dishes, etc.) and supplies (including camp gear, food, and horse feed) will be packed out at end of the project.

2. Food/Garbage Storage: During night-time hours and when the camp is unoccupied store food, garbage and other attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to wildlife. Only paper, wood and food scraps are considered “burnable”. Food scraps must be burned completely if disposed of in a fire ring. All other garbage (metal, glass, plastics, foils etc) will be packed out.

3. Toilets: Pit-type toilets with or without tent covering are mandatory at all camps. Pits will be located at least 200 feet from any water source. Holes must be dug at least to mineral soil depth (no shallower than 8’) and sufficient for planned use period. Plan ahead. Length of stay may require several pits. Each pit will be filled in, either when it becomes full or by the end of the use season or project, whichever timeline arrives first.

4. Fire Rings: Use existing fire rings if they are available, but do not build new rock fire rings. Use a fire pit or fire pan to contain warming/cooking fires. Choose a site with mineral soil that will not damage existing trees, tree roots or leave black scars on boulders. Keep fires small; burn all wood to a fine ash. For extended use at one campsite, periodically scatter resulting ash, continue using the same fire pit. Burn dead and down material. If adequate dead and down material is unavailable, the COR or representative will designate snags to be felled for camp wood. Felled trees will be low-stumped at no more than 3” height from the ground level.

5. Waste Water Disposal: Waste water shall be disposed of in leach pit at least 200 feet from springs, streams or lakes. The pit shall be a minimum 2 foot x 2 foot x 2 foot and shall be filled with rock two to eight inches in diameter. The leach pit shall be covered with at least 2 feet of compacted soil when camp is closed.

6. Minimum Impact Stock Use: In order to decrease chances for site degradation, the use of saddle and pack stock shall be kept to the minimum necessary to accomplish the project. A maximum 6 head per trip is allowable for the initial camp and tool supply. Once tools and camp are transported into the job site, use of stock will be limited to 3 head during the length of the project. At the end of the project and for complete camp movements during the project, stock will not exceed 6 head. Stock not in use shall be removed from the National Forest until such time as they are required.

Avoid tying directly to trees. Allow stock to graze loose when possible. Use hobbles, pickets, high lines, or rope hitchrails to avoid scarring trees and compacting soil. “Tree-saver” straps help avoid scarring when a rope hitchline is attached to a tree. If tree-savers are not available, use shims or padding to protect tree bark. When tying stock on highlines, tie at least 6’ from tree to protect the tree trunk and roots.

Stock handling facilities will be located at least 200 feet from any water source. Manure will be scattered to hasten decomposition.

In many areas forage is scarce. Check with the Ranger Station for current information about local conditions.

Certified Weed Seed Free Hay is required. On-site proof of certification is required.

In order to slow the spread of non-native plant species, the use of weed-seed-free feed (i.e. pellets, grain, packaged feeds other than hay) is encouraged. Supplemental livestock feed, when needed, will be processed pellets or high quality (e.g. first cutting) alfalfa hay and/or grain. Rolled oats is required. Utilize feed bags and hay netting to contain feed and avoid introduction of non-native species.

Stock salt will be in block form and secured off the ground in a waterpoof container. Locate salt at least 200 ft away from camps, trails, and live water. Salt must be removed when livestock are removed.

When on trail, pack and saddle stock must be ridden or led and not permitted to run loose (except for short time periods when an animal becomes crippled or where safety dictates otherwise.) Avoid cutting switchbacks to prevent erosion.

Death of a horse or mule on National Forest lands shall be reported to the Forest Service as soon as practical. In general, dead stock may be left to decompose in remote backcountry areas providing they are a sufficient distance from trails, campsites, and surface water sources (approximately 300 ft. for water sources). In the event an animal is located near a trail, campsite, or water source, the contractorr will provide a proposal for disposing of the animal, subject to approval by the Forest Service Representative. If the dead animal is located in a roaded, accessible area, it should be removed from National Forest lands.

7. Naturalize Campsites: Return all camp areas to their natural condition. Collect and pack out all litter, equipment and any tie lines from site before leaving. Clean out firering and replace topsoil and sod if it is removed for a fire pit. Fill in outhouse holes, sump holes, any ditching and any holes created by stock. Scatter any manure on site. Return logs, rocks, limbs, etc. displaced during camp set-up.

8. Wilderness Consideration: Solitude is an important part of wilderness visits. Minimize your impacts on others by camping away from other campsites. Leave pets at home. Keep noise to a minimum. Be courteous in sharing the trail with others.