[MA-RPC] FW: accessibility requirements for 2005 relocation projects on Appalachian Trail Park Office lands

Wed Apr 6 11:23:12 EDT 2005

 Here is an example of what I posted last night. We are planning a relo of
an access trail from a parking lot (Nuclear Lake mentioned below). We need
to get it done this year. Fortunately it is trivial construction - mostly
pickup sticks and blaze. It would not be easy to make it ADA accessible
because it crosses some slab rock that is not level enough for ADA.

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald_Owen at nps.gov [mailto:Donald_Owen at nps.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 10:32 AM
To: jthorn at atconf.org; vstori at appalachiantrail.org;
mstevens at appalachiantrail.org; klutz at atconf.org; mmiller at atconf.org;
bsickley at atconf.org; agrau at appalachiantrail.org; tmartinez at atconf.org;
wdhiker at optonline.net; paulives2 at aol.com; scully at rjfisher.org;
atcfran99 at mycidco.com
Cc: pirvine at fs.fed.us; bproudman at atconf.org; momland at appalachiantrail.org;
dstartzell at atconf.org; Pamela_Underhill at nps.gov; msommerville at atconf.org;
David_Reus at nps.gov; hmetheny at amcinfo.org; Rita_Hennessy at nps.gov
Subject: accessibility requirements for 2005 relocation projects on
Appalachian Trail Park Office lands

Hi, J.T., Val, Matt, Karen, Michele, Bob, Amanda, Teresa, Walt, Paul, Tom,
and Fran -

Just a footnote to my email from yesterday, since I've been reviewing the
Forest Service's proposed accessibility guidelines.  Four of the five Trail
relocation projects scheduled for construction on ATPO lands this year (see
the list below) would be subject to the FSTAG guidelines if they were
located on Forest Service lands (or would be subject to the companion
guidelines being developed by the Access Board for other agencies, if they
were scheduled for construction in 2006 or in future years instead of 2005).
These four projects - Dripping Rocks, Stony Mountain, Hunters Run, and
Nuclear Lake - all connect to a trailhead, and all would need to be
re-designed in accordance with FSTAG if they were located on Forest Service
lands or were constructed once the Access Board guidelines are adopted.

So, I'd advise that you take into account two things:

(1)  plan on getting these projects built this year, or plan on redesigning
them to comply with the accessibility guidelines that will be in place by
this time next year for all federal lands along the Trail,  and

(2)  plan on designing all projects in the future that meet the criteria in
the accessibility guidelines so that they comply with the technical
provisions that will be in place by this time next year for all federal
lands along the Trail.

I'd also suggest that you take the time to review the Forest Service's
proposed FSTAG and FSORAG accessibility guidelines carefully, and that you
get the word out to Board members, regional partnership committee members,
stewardship committee members, Trail club leaders, and even ATC and ALDHA
members, that the time to comment is now.  The deadline for comments is
April 18th, and I think it's critical that Trail clubs fully understand the
long-term implications of these new guidelines/regulations for their
sections of the Trail (and all other trails that they maintain on federal
lands).   I think every single Trail club - and many ATC Board members and
committee members - ought to weigh in on this.   Dave Startzell's review
comments, along with a really well-thought-out synopsis of the guidelines,
are posted on ATC's website.

Don

2005 Trail relocation projects on Appalachian Trail lands

1.    Dripping Rocks A.T. Relocation, near Waynesboro, in Nelson County,
Virginia (tentatively scheduled for May 12 or 13, 2005)

   This project involves construction of approximately 1/2 mile of 18-inch
   to 24-inch primitive trail treadway, by volunteers using hand tools.
   See the attached map.

2.    Stony Mountain Relocation, Rush Township, Dauphin County, Pa.
(tentatively scheduled for May 26 or 27, 2005)

   This project involves construction of approximately 5,000 linear feet of
   18-inch to 24-inch primitive trail treadway, by volunteers using hand
   tools.  See the attached map.

3.    Hunters Run Relocation, Adams County, Pennsylvania (tentatively
scheduled for May 26 or 27, 2005)

   This project involves construction of approximately 1,000 linear feet of
   18-inch to 24-inch primitive trail treadway, by volunteers using hand
   tools.  Most of the surface area has been disturbed.  A former rural
   railroad station is located within 50 feet of the proposed route.  See
   the attached map.

4.    Harlem Valley Relocation, Dutchess County, New York (tentatively
scheduled for May 24 or 25, 2005)

   This project involves construction of approximately 2,800 linear feet of
   18-inch to 24-inch primitive trail treadway, by volunteers using hand
   tools.  See the attached map.

5.    Nuclear Lake Relocation, Dutchess County, New York (tentatively
scheduled for May 24 or 25, 2005)

   This project involves construction of approximately 1,500 feet of
   18-inch to 24-inch primitive trail treadway, by volunteers using hand
   tools.  See the attached map.

   Don Owen
   Environmental Protection Specialist
   Appalachian National Scenic Trail
   (deliveries: Third Floor, Civil War Story Building)
   Harpers Ferry Center
   Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 25425
   phone: (304) 535-4003
   fax: (304) 535-6270
   email: donald_owen at nps.gov
----- Forwarded by Donald Owen/APPA/NPS on 04/05/2005 05:04 PM -----

                      Donald Owen

                                               To:
mia_parsons at nps.gov, Andrew Lee/HFC/NPS at NPS

                      04/05/2005 05:03         cc:

                      PM EDT                   Subject:  archaeological
surveys for Appalachian Trail projects                            

April 5, 2005

To:         Mia Parsons, Andrew Lee, Mike Owens,
            Archaeology Division, Harpers Ferry NHP

From:       Don Owen, Environmental Protection Specialist/Section 106
            Coordinator, Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Re:         Cultural Resource Clearances for Appalachian Trail Projects

Mia, Andrew, and Mike, attached is a list of archaeological surveys that
need to be conducted for Appalachian Trail projects slated for construction
in the summer of 2005.

I am currently planning my field reviews for these projects in late May and
early June, and would like to make sure that an archaeologist can accompany
me and conduct the archaeological surveys for these projects.  My schedule
is flexible at this point, and I can make adjustments to accommodate
whatever dates work for you, as long as I know at least one of you will be
able to come with me.

All of these projects are comparatively small scale, involving surface
disturbance of ¼ of an acre or less (in fact, most involve surface
disturbance of 2,500 square feet or less).  In total, the projects listed
below would affect less than one (1) acre.  Sites are less than one mile
from a road unless otherwise noted.  Project descriptions, maps, and a
personal guide will be provided by the National Park Service to each site to
ensure that each site can be readily located in the field.

Field work for each project (including travel) should take no more than one
day.  The two projects in New York combined will probably take a total of
two days, including travel.  Field work should be completed by June 15,
2005.  Reports must be received by June 30, 2005.

Please let me know as soon as possible (by phone at 535-4003 or email at
<donald_owen at nps.gov) which projects you believe you will be able to assist
us with this spring and summer.   Thanks!

         2005 Trail relocation projects on Appalachian Trail lands
                   that need review by an archaeologist