I have this conversation with the foresters I work with all the time. In the time it takes me to get a trail approved, (3-5 years) they can layout a block and associated roads, build, harvest, cleanup, plant, rehab and be many more of those cycles in.
on the flip side, I was at a rec planning symposium of sorts recently, and some of the motorized groups were complaining about the approval process, how slow and complicated it is, and how it will only lead to more unsanctioned trail building. The rec officer comment was basically, “oh yeah, I am not sure that’s possible” as in no amount of approvals are going to slow down unsanctioned trail building.
where I think most trail builders and small organizations struggle is in planning. If you know that it takes 3-5 years to get an approval, you had better always have something in the works. I am currently sitting on a rock, looking over a lake, laying out a trail I don’t expect to build for 3-5 years. but I am in the rare position where I get paid to do this. we have come along ways in 20years.
Oct. 27, 2023, 12:37 p.m. - Adrian Bostock
I have this conversation with the foresters I work with all the time. In the time it takes me to get a trail approved, (3-5 years) they can layout a block and associated roads, build, harvest, cleanup, plant, rehab and be many more of those cycles in. on the flip side, I was at a rec planning symposium of sorts recently, and some of the motorized groups were complaining about the approval process, how slow and complicated it is, and how it will only lead to more unsanctioned trail building. The rec officer comment was basically, “oh yeah, I am not sure that’s possible” as in no amount of approvals are going to slow down unsanctioned trail building. where I think most trail builders and small organizations struggle is in planning. If you know that it takes 3-5 years to get an approval, you had better always have something in the works. I am currently sitting on a rock, looking over a lake, laying out a trail I don’t expect to build for 3-5 years. but I am in the rare position where I get paid to do this. we have come along ways in 20years.