Chapter 8B.pdf

8B-1

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

8B.1 National Forest, Grassland, and Other Administrative Boundaries

Sign national forest, grassland, and other administrative boundaries as follows:

• Boundaries shall be signed with the proclaimed name of the unit.

• When two or more national forests have been combined into one administrative unit without changing the proclaimed names or when portions of one forest are administered by another forest:

1. The headquarters of a combined unit shall be identified with the name of each forest. Use a hyphen or “and” between the names. Examples:

- Bridger-Teton National Forests

- Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

2. When all national forests in a state are administered by one headquarters, use a name such as “National Forests in Texas.” Place the state name last.

3. Where forest names are used on signs for ranger district offices, forest headquarters, or work centers, the offices such as name of the forest on which the site is located shall be used. Example: Afton Ranger District, Bridger National Forest (not Bridger-Teton National Forests).

8B.2 Forest, Grassland, and Other Units’ Entrance Signs

Identify entrances to national forests, grasslands, and other units with appropriate signs along principal access routes. Use a forest entrance sign (Figure 8B-1) on Federal and state highways and major county roads. The sign installation shall include the Forest Service shield and the USDA credit line.

U . S . D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E

U M P Q U A U M P Q U A L e a v i n g

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Road

BackFront

Road

Figure 8B-1—Sign for forest entrances – front and back.

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Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

Immovable/uncrashworthy sign bases should be located out of the clear zone or behind existing barriers. See Chapter 3C for the definition of a clear zone.

Major entrance signs should be retroreflective.

Use a minor forest entrance sign (Figure 8B-2) on trails, minor public highways, and NFSRs with low traffic volumes. The sign may also be used on major interior boundaries. Place the shield on the minor entrance sign assembly. A separate USDA credit line plaque is not used.

Use an entering or leaving land sign (Figure 8B-3) when it is desirable to inform visitors that they are entering and leaving private lands within a national forest or grassland. There are two sizes: 27 by 27 inches and 18 by 18 inches. Use the smaller sign on low-volume, ML 2 roads with travel speeds less than 20 miles per hour or on trails. This smaller sign may be mounted on objects such as fence lines, eliminating the need for additional posts.

P A Y E T T E

U . S . D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E

P A Y E T T E L e a v i n g

U . S . D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E

Road

BackFront

Road

Figure 8B-2—Sign for minor forest entrance and major interior boundary.

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E N T E R I N G

L A N D

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Figure 8B-3—Entering or Leaving Land sign.

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Consider safety first when determining placement of these signs. Placing the sign at the actual boundary is a secondary consideration. Select the first acceptable site for the sign that is at or inside the property line of a national forest or other administrative unit. In the case of private tracts of land inside the unit boundary, place the minor entrance sign at or near the interior property line where identification is desirable.

If topography or other considerations require an installation on the left side of the road, signs must be ordered with the high point opposite that shown in Figures 8B-1, 8B-2, and 8B-3.

8B.3 Congressionally Designated Special Areas

This direction ONLY applies to areas that have been recognized by special congressional designations as follows:

• National Monuments designated by the President under the authority of the Antiquities Act

• Glacier viewing areas in Alaska

• Areas within the National Forest System individually designated by special act of Congress including:

- National recreation areas

- National scenic areas

- National tallgrass prairies

To be effective and to denote the prestige and unique attributes of these areas, signing may require special emphasis.

Signs may utilize specific designs and colors that portray the special characteristics of the area. While they may be distinctive in materials, colors, and design, these signs should achieve the same visitor utility objectives and clearly display the agency relationship as for standard identification signs, including the Forest Service shield and the USDA credit line as standard identification signs. (see Chapter 8).

The sign colors may be changed to harmonious selections fitting the character and natural setting of the special area. The colors used for the sign background and message must be of high contrast so that the lettering and field can be distinguished by an ordinary driver as well as the visually impaired. The use of white on blue background is strongly discouraged. Those colors are designated for use on freeways, county route guide signs, evacuation routes, road-user service signs, and accessibility symbols.

Any variations to standard size, shape, colors, or material must be submitted to the Regional Forester for approval as part of the unit management plan and must be strongly justified as to the need for a change from standard identification signs. Approval requests for nonstandard signs must be supported by the Built Environment Image Guide (Publication FS-710). Signs should be used consistently throughout the area. An approved sign example of specific design and colors is shown in Figure 8B-4.

8B-3

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

The distinctive logotype and selected color scheme for the special area may be used sparingly for identification on items such as cooperative plaques, visitor information boards, interpretive signs, special posters, and pamphlets, providing that priority and adequate identity are given to the use of the national forest and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The features of the Forest Service and USDA may be strongly accentuated within the special area by a variety of other methods.

Do not use the special area logotype and color scheme on administrative site signs or on any other signs or posters that deal with regulations, authority, and administration.

The policy and criteria of signing and posting these areas are the same as for other National Forest System lands, except as shown below.

8B.3.1 Special Area Entrances on Unit Boundaries

When the boundary of the special area is common with the unit boundary of National Forest System land, use the appropriate boundary sign for the special area. The name of the special area and the logotype are the dominant messages. The National Forest System unit name and USDA credit line, and the Forest Service shield are placed on the base of the structure. Typical installations are shown in Figures 8B-4 and 8B-5.

8B-4

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

Figure 8B-4—Adapted sign for national tallgrass prairie boundary.

S H A S T A - T R I N I T Y W H I S K E Y T O W N -

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Road

Figure 8B-5—Typical signage for national recreation area entrances on forest boundaries.

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8B.3.2 Special Area Entrances Not on Forest Boundaries

When the boundary of the special area is inside the forest or unit boundary, each is signed unless they are so close together that oversigning will result. In such cases, sign only the special area as shown in Figure 8B-6.

8B.4 Wilderness and Primitive Areas

Sign wilderness and primitive areas in a manner appropriate to maintaining and perpetuating their unique primitive recreational opportunities and scientific, educational, historic, and natural values and features in accordance with policy (FSM 2320) and forest plan direction. Standardize signing within areas that include more than one administrative unit.

8B.4.1 Wilderness and Primitive Area Portal Signs

Along perimeter roads and trail or water access routes, install standard routed wood portal sign assemblies at boundaries, nearby trailheads, or other points nearest the boundary where a suitable site exists. The standard sign-assembly components are shown in Figure 8B-7. (Note: the wilderness USDA credit line has a different shape than the one for nonwilderness.).

Use either the horizontal or vertical panel style that is best suited to the character of the access facility and the natural setting. Larger panels shall be used where major trails cross a wilderness boundary. Use the smaller panels where a minor trail crosses a wilderness boundary. Use the Forest Service shield in all portal sign installations. Use of the USDA credit line is optional.

Design sign mountings so that they visually complement the natural surroundings. Figure 8B-8 shows examples of mounting concepts for different settings. Where available, use stable natural landscape features such as rock outcrops or boulders as support structures.

Unstained natural wood is preferred. Available options include a clear preservative such as a 50-50 mixture of linseed oil and turpentine or a gray stained finish.

8B-5

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

E V E R G L A D E S E V E R G L A D E S

L e a v i n g

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Figure 8B-6—National Recreation Area sign for entrances not on forest boundary.

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Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

Figure 8B-7—Signs for wilderness and primitive areas.

G R E E N M O U N T A I N

B R I S T O L C L I F F S

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WPH-R (install on right side of trail)

WPV-R

(both to be installed on right side of trail)

WPV-R

One-line name

Two-line name

WP-S

WP-P Routed USDA Credit Line (optional use)

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Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

Figure 8B-8—Examples of mountings for wilderness and primitive area entrance signs.

WPH-L WPV-R

WPH-R

WPV-L

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8B.4.2 Wilderness and Primitive Area Boundary Signs

Use the applicable small metal signs shown in Figure 8B-9 to mark boundaries of wilderness and primitive areas. Space signs only as close as necessary to inform the public and protect the resource.

Try not to locate boundary signs within sight of portal signs. Use a boundary sign at the portal if there is no other sign at that point.

Install boundary signs approximately 4 feet high unless snow depth dictates higher placement. Use stained or unstained wood posts, treated or untreated, or mount on appropriate trees.

If wilderness area and forest boundaries coincide, use the current boundary line marking system with a wilderness or primitive area boundary sign installed above the standard boundary line location sign as shown in Figure 8B-19.

8B-8

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005

WILDERNESS

Closed to motor vehicles, motorized equipment, hang gliders and bicycles

Area back of this sign is managed and protected under Public Law (16U.S.C. 551; 16U.S.C. 1131-1135)

Violations Punishable

WILDERNESS

Closed to motor vehicles, motorized equipment, hang gliders and bicycles

Area back of this sign is managed and protected under Public Law (16U.S.C. 551; 16U.S.C. 1131-1135)

Violations Punishable

27-6A

54-2

PRIMITIVE AREA

Closed to motor vehicles, and motorized equipment

The area back of this sign is classified under regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture to preserve its primitive envi-ronment. (36C.F.R.-293.17)

Violations Punishable

PROPERTY

BOUNDARY

land behind this sign

27-6

Figure 8B-9—Wilderness and primitive area small metal boundary signs.

8B.5 Experimental Forests and Research Area Boundaries

Boundaries of experimental forests and research areas may require marking with small metal sign No. 40-2, Boundary Experimental Area, or No. 40-4, Boundary Research Natural Area. Use of these signs should inform the public without detracting from the national forest identification signs. Perimeter signs should be inter-visible if possible.

Posters to identify other research activity boundaries as well as help control vandalism and trespass are found in Chapter 11.

8B.6 Supplemental Study Areas

Use small metal signs (numbers 40-1 and 40-3, Chapter 12) and standard posters (Chapter 11) to identify plots and record data and other information that are of primary interest to research personnel. These areas may be more temporary than experimental forests; however, if a study area develops into an important research demonstration area, sign it accordingly.

8B-9

Chapter 8B Forest Identification National Forest, Grassland, and Signing Other Administrative Boundaries

December 2005