Attachment C.pdf

SMAC approved February 25th, 2021 WRAC approved March 2, 2021

OPERATING PROCEDURE 85-09

TRAIL GROOMING

Updated March 30, 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance for all winter recreation program trail grooming for the benefit of all winter recreation users.

Rationale: Environment, trail use, terrain, land management, and people involved in making grooming decisions form a complex mix of coordination and decision making. Current best management practices suggest all local trail grooming programs take into consideration at a minimum operator and user safety, operational effectiveness, and operational efficiency. Additional factors may be considered especially considering local conditions.

Definitions

• Grooming council – Volunteers dedicated to the winter recreation program and trail grooming

• Area trails council (ATC) – Volunteers dedicated to the preparation of trails for the benefit of winter trail grooming

• Winter recreation advisory committee (WRAC) – The Winter Recreation Advisory Committee made up of non-motorized and motorized volunteers that assists and advises the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in the development of winter recreation facilities, programs and budgets.

• Snowmobile advisory committee (SMAC) -The Snowmobile Advisory Committee, made up of snowmobilers and non-motorized volunteers that assists and advises the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in the development of snowmobile facilities, programs and budgets (Chapter 46.10 RCW).

• International association of snowmobile administrators (IASA) - A self-organized, nonprofit organization comprised of snowmobile program administrators representing 27 US states, 10 Canadian Provinces, 3 Canadian Territories, and 1 European Country, Sweden, to facilitate communications among administrators.

• American council of snowmobile associations (ACSA) - ACSA is a national organization uniting the snowmobile community and promoting snowmobiling as a safe, fun and environmentally friendly family sport.

• United States Forest Service (USFS) - An agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres (780,000 km2) of land.[3

• Potential Nordic ski standards (placeholder) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Agriculture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Forest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Grassland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Forest_Service#cite_note-3

Entities involved in making trail grooming decisions

• Groomer contractor (public and private);

• Groomer operator;

• Local club or users;

• Local groomer coordinator;

• Local grooming or area trails councils;

• Land owner;

• State Parks winter recreation program manager;

Factors involved in making trail grooming decisions (Refer to IASA, Nordic Ski, and Forest Service guidelines)

• User benefit;

• Local grooming and area trail councils involvement;

• Environmental considerations;

• Operator safety;

• User safety;

• Trail quality;

• Timing and frequency;

• Operational flexibility and realities to achieve condition responsive grooming;

• Varying weather conditions;

• Emergency conditions;

• Operating efficiency (fewer sleds on the trail at night);

• Operating effectiveness (night grooming =’s colder temperatures =’s trail holds up better);

• National +/or international standards;

• User group events;

• Saturdays, holidays, and other special dates;

• Winter recreation program manager involvement.

Process to make trail grooming decisions

• State Parks winter recreation program adopts trail grooming operational procedures (this involves prior consultation with above listed stakeholders);

• The Trail grooming operational procedure is included in all contracts with public and private trail grooming contractors as guidance (portions of those procedures are found in this document);

• Included in the trail grooming contract is language encouraging the contractor to work closely with local individuals (grooming coordinators and grooming councils) to make sure grooming occurs when and where needed;

• Trail grooming operational procedure is distributed to local grooming clubs, coordinators, and councils with recommendations to adopt as local best practice;

• Local grooming operations need to provide current practices as modified for their area for the season to the State Parks winter recreation program manager;

• State Parks winter recreation program manager updates best practices guidance based on continued experience in trail grooming programs in North America;

• Trail grooming guidance updated at scheduled groomer operator workshops/meetings or through email or other forms of communication.

• Periodic review of this operating procedure by both advisory committees during their winter meetings is recommended;

• In the event of a conflict arising out of the application of this operating procedure refer to operating procedure # 16 dispute resolution and responding to complaints.

Roles and responsibilities I. Winter recreation (Nordic) and Snowmobile Program:

a) Trail groomer and towing equipment shall be capable of enduring extensive loading stress due to deep snow and mountainous terrain. Grooming equipment or grooming device shall be of an approved type; e.g., tiller and compactor model, Tidd Tech or Ginzu trail tenderizer or another pre-approved model. Equipment must have the ability to groom at least a 5-foot-wide trail for track setting, or a 13-foot-wide trail with a track and skate lane with one or multiple passes

b) Snow groomers must be equipped with a tiller and track setting device.

c) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with a two-way radio or a cellular or satellite phone to provide constant communication.

d) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with a 24-unit first aid and survival kit.

e) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with at least one functioning top-mounted rotating beacon or strobe light with a back-up rotating beacon (separately fused) and backup lights (two working together).

f) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with flares and other warning devices in case of breakdown.

g) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with a functioning “backup alarm,” capable of signaling when the groomer is engaged to drive in reverse.

h) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with at least four functioning forward-facing halogen headlights, or equivalent forward-facing headlights.

i) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with an accurate and functioning hour meter.

j) Each snow groomer shall be equipped with the latest generation track setters with ice busters and gear drive hydraulic actuated pans. Each snow groomer shall be equipped with double track setter pads each with hydraulics separately controlled, moveable, across back of tiller to desired location. Each snow groomer shall be equipped with independent up and down variable down pressure.

k) Each snow groomer shall have all safety standard for running equipment in working order (tiller shut off, backup beacon, etc.).

l) Each snow groomer shall submit a grooming calendar no later than October 16th for the upcoming season.

1. Input on equipment replacement and purchase;

a) State Parks owned equipment:

Local State Park

Groomer operator(s) Area trails council/coordinator Winter recreation program manager

WRAC

b) Contractor owned equipment;

Contractor

2. Equipment maintenance & repairs;

a) State Parks owned equipment:

Local State Park Groomer operator Winter recreation program manager State Parks Equipment inspector

b) Contractor owned equipment;

Contractor

3. Grooming schedule;

a) The Contractor shall work with the Grooming Coordinator/Grooming Council for the development of a seasonal grooming schedule prior to the grooming season and as required by State Parks. The Contractor shall follow the grooming schedule, unless, medical illness, equipment breakdown, land use issues (see emergent problems i.e., winter logging, road washout, excessive timber down, etc.) Revisions to the schedule will only be made after consultation with the local grooming coordinator, if applicable, the Contractor and the Agency.

4. Grooming methods;

a) General grooming is to be performed during dark hours when possible; if not, during the lowest traffic times of the 24-hour period. Trails are to be groomed for the majority of users, recognizing the specific needs of each area as specified in the project funding application.

b) Grooming shall take place between December 1 and March 31 of each season unless snow conditions or landowner permission dictate otherwise. Any additional grooming must be approved by the Agency.

c) Grooming should be done with several considerations taken into account, such as current weather and temperature conditions, and the general condition of the snowpack. Grooming is most effective in relatively narrow temperature ranges at or just below the freezing point. Cold dry snow doesn’t pack well. Grooming warm wet snow will produce extremely sloppy conditions. Grooming operators must consider the depth of snow, ambient air temperatures and weather forecasts.

5. Emergent problem decisions – If scheduled grooming is not performed due to equipment failure, operator unavailability or other unforeseen circumstances, the Contractor shall perform the missed grooming the following day to catch up. After four consecutive days of missed grooming, the Contractor shall enact a back-up plan by the fifth day. Should the Contractor fail to enact a back-up plan after the fifth consecutive day of missed grooming, the Agency will contract with an alternative grooming service to groom the trails and the Contractor shall be obligated to reimburse the Agency for such costs. Refer to operating procedure 9A

6. Trail maintenance other than grooming;

Land owner Local clubs and users Trail maintenance organizations Groomer contractor

7. Trail signing;

a) Under direction of the landowner(s), Contractor shall install appropriate trail signs and replace signs that have been removed or vandalized. Signs are to remain in place for as long as there is enough snow for users to use the trail for winter recreation. The Contractor shall request adequate quantities of such signs from the Agency and the latter shall provide such signs at no cost to the Contractor. It is strongly encouraged that Grooming Coordinators and Grooming Councils work collaboratively with and assist the contractor with the installation and removal of winter program signs.

Land owner Area trails council/coordinator Local clubs and users Groomer contractor

Advisory Committee Review:

Bob Henrie_________/s/ Approved Electronically_ __2/25/21___ Chair, Snowmobile Advisory Committee Date

John Baranowski______/s/ Approved Electronically_ _3/2/21______ Chair, Winter Recreation Advisory Committee Date

APPROVED: _Pamela McConkey/s/ Approved Electronically _3/2/21______

Winter Recreation Program Manager Date