Minimum_Impact_Camping_Guidelines.pdf

AG-02RC-S-15-0030 NZ Trail Brusing Nez Perce/Clearwater NF Page 1 of 2

EXHIBIT #1

MINIMUM IMPACT CAMPING GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION: Welcome to the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forest’s and to the Recreation, Trail and Wilderness resources it is so proud to manage. We take protection of these resources very seriously here. Please respect and protect the natural environment, especially in Wilderness. Careful selection of your campsite is one step toward that goal.

Choose the site thoughtfully and use it lightly. In some instances it will be pre-selected for you. Leave the area clean and in its natural condition. The following thoughts and procedures are provided to help educate visitors and contractors about minimum impact camping and its practical application. Good luck and thanks for helping manage your National Forest.

1. Campsite Selection: If possible select previously used campsites. Select campsites in durable areas at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, and trails. Do not construct lean-to’s, bough beds, or drainage ditches. Self supporting tents and foam pads are alternatives to using native material. Pick sites which drain well naturally to avoid ditching tents.

The camp area shall be maintained to present a clean, neat, and orderly appearance. It should be kept clean and free of litter at all times, e.g. pull tabs, cigarette butts, bread closures, foil. Combustible and organic garbage will be completely burned. Metal, glass, plastic, and unburnable material (i.e. tin foil) will be packed out. Firewood debris and chips will be raked weekly during camp occupation and wood kept in a stack.

Nailing to live trees is prohibited. Use rope or twine and shims if you attach tent poles to trees temporarily.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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. It must be at least to mineral soil depth and sufficient for planned use period. Plan ahead. Length of stay may require several pits. The pit will be filled in at the end of use. Utilize natural screening effect of timber, brush, rock bluffs, etc.

5. Fire Rings: Don’t build rock fire rings. Use fire pit or fire pan to contain warming/cooking fires. Dig shallow pit. Remove and save the sod or topsoil by setting it aside away from disturbance. Burn dead and down material. Keep fires small; burn all wood to a fine ash. For extended use at one campsite, periodically bury resulting ash but use the same fire pit. COR or representative will designate any snag to be felled for camp

AG-02RC-S-15-0030 NZ Trail Brusing Nez Perce/Clearwater NF Page 2 of 2 wood if necessary. Felled trees will be low-stumped at no more than 3” height from the ground level.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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 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 waterpoof container.

Locate it away from camps, trails, and live water. Remove when livestock are removed.

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

8. Naturalize Campsites: Return all camp areas to their natural condition. Replace topsoil and sod removed for a fire pit. Carefully return logs, rocks, limbs, etc. displaced during camp set-up.

9. 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.