FoOTNotes - Vol. 1 / No 3 (June 2004)

FoOT Volunteers and Supporters,

• Progress: Saturday is National Trails Day, and coincidentally, exactly six months since FoOT was created. In that short time we have had volunteers adopt almost 200 miles of trail -- 197.6 to be exact (almost 90% of the trail.) We should all be very proud of that. The biggest open section remains the eastern end, much of which is on private property. Specific open sections include the following:
  • Sect 3 Mile 60.0 - 63.0 (2.5 miles in stretch between Eagle Gap and Foran Gap)
  • Sect 4 Mile 90.3 - 93.0 (2.7 miles west of Big Brushy campground)
  • Sect 9 Mile 196.3 - 202.0 (5.7 miles from Red Bluff Creek to Hwy 10)
  • Sect 10 Mile 202.0 -212.2 (10.2 miles from Hwy 10 to Lunsford Corner)
  • Sect 10 Mile 215.7 - 219.9 (4.2 miles from a stream to hwy 300 3rd crossing)
  If any one has a prospect to adopt any of these sections, please let us know.
• Real Progress: Promises are good and exciting, but more importantly, our efforts are starting to pay off. Last fall, we had several areas of the trail identified as essentially "impassable", and the general condition was poor. As of last week, we have 116 miles identified in "Green" status, meaning essentially clear and easy to traverse. In another 20 miles of trail, we have "Yellow" conditions, but the trail is passable, and we have specific problem areas identified for follow up action. Most importantly, we no longer show any areas identified as "Red" (essentially impassable). Now those of you who are quick with numbers will notice that summary does not add up to 225 miles, or even to the 197 miles adopted. I will comment on this in a subsequent paragraph.
• Work Parties: We have had several scheduled FoOT work parties this year. Two, in particular, were not related to specific adoptions and accomplished significant improvement in the trail. Each was in an area previously coded "Red".
  In March, a team of Volunteers and Forest service personnel rerouted a section of trail in Flatside Wilderness (Sect 8, near Crystal Prong). The trail had collapsed and simply no longer existed for a hundred feet or so. The re-routing provided about a quarter mile of new trail to go around the collapsed area. Some of us re-visited this section two months later, after the heavy rains of April and May, and can report that the work party did good work. The new trail stood up very well and is starting to look like its been there for years.
  In April, a group of a dozen or so took our power tools and attacked a horrible piece of section 4 on Fourche Mountain. It took two long days, but the section was clear and re-blazed at the end. This had been an un-adopted section, but the work was so well done that the section was adopted a week later.
• Working with the Forest Service: The Forest Service wants FoOT to succeed. We benefit them and they benefit us. Our relationship has to be mutually beneficial. The USFS has done a great deal for FoOT in the past months, helping us get materials and tools to do our job, and helping plan work days. They have even been out on the trail with us. Tom Ferguson is pretty tough with that cross-cut saw.
• Chain Saw Certifications: The Forest Service organized a chain saw certification class specifically for FoOT in May. Six of our members are new USFS Certified "sawyers". Congratulations to JD Blackwell, Richard Boston, Jim Gifford, Ed Hawkins, Dan Wingard, and Glenn Wortham. These people can now legally use a chain saw in the National Forest. Thanks also to Fred Struthers, and the other instructors, for teaching us more than we realized we didn't know. We tentatively plan another class in the fall - if we get enough interest. Let us know if you would like to take the course.
• Working with FoOT: This spring, we organized a more formal procedure for follow up work. Because chain saw certifications are still quite limited, and because some needed work is bigger than individual volunteers, we have created a follow-up (second pass) team. This team will react to specific requests from volunteers for chain saw work or other large jobs. This group will be known as the "Dreaded FoOT Patrol", and will be staffed with highly motivated, chain-saw certified FoOT volunteers. You can request help from the "Dreaded FoOT Patrol" by either requesting it in your work report, or by contacting Kris McMillen.

Now for the bad news

The reason the numbers didn't add up in the report on trail status is that we have not received reports on almost half the trail. Many of you agreed to adopt a section of trail, but we have not heard from you since. This might be because you don't like paper work, or it might be because you have not been out on your section of trail yet. I optimistically believe that most of you in these categories are sincere in intentions, and perhaps even doing the trail work. Thank You for that. Thank You for even considering doing the work.

• Trail Work: For those of you who have not been out on your section of trail this spring, let me encourage you to do so. The early season growth is very rapid and the trail can get overgrown quickly. The longer you wait, the harder your task is going to be. Trail usage picks up about this time of year, and it is important that people using the trail have a positive experience. The best thing for the Ouachita Trail would be increased usage. The probability of that increases if the condition is good.
• Paper Work: Unfortunately, a small amount of paperwork is necessary both for our organization and for the USFS. We have tried to keep it simple, and want to use e-mail as much as possible, but we can not totally ignore bureaucracy. Some of you returned the Volunteer Agreement, but have never submitted a work report. Some haven't even returned the Volunteer Agreement.
  The Volunteer Agreement serves two important functions. One, it is the way FoOT keeps track of who has adopted what sections of trail. That may seem easy, but believe me it is not. More importantly, that is how you, the volunteer, get coverage under the master agreement with the USFS, which includes coverage under Worker's Compensation for any injuries sustained during trail work. Those who have not returned your agreement will be sent another copy and asked again to sign and return.
  Work Reports are equally important. They allow the USFS to keep track of Volunteer hours and justify working with the FoOT organization. They have reporting rules also. More importantly, it allows FoOT and the USFS together to prioritize resources and make sure any extra resources get to the right place. Finally, it allows us to prioritize and schedule the "Dreaded FoOT Patrol" so that the work you can't do as individual volunteers can be accomplished by those who have the tools and certifications necessary.
  Please, folks, help us out and send in your reports.
• Tools Available: Our most important tools will always be loppers and other hand tools. Sometimes, however, we need heavier things such as fire rakes and pulaskis. The USFS will usually provide this kind of equipment if you notify the District office and tell them what you plan to do and what you need. FoOT also has custody of several weed eaters and a brush-cutter. These are particularly handy this time of year. These tools do not require certification to use; just common sense and basic safety considerations. Contact Billy McMillen or Ed Armstrong to use one of these tools.
  Remember, if you use power tools, use safety equipment. FoOT also has hard hats, ear plugs, and safety glasses.
• Trail Maintenance Thoughts:
  • Water-bars and Drains: One of the most important considerations for a healthy trail tread is proper drainage. Water-bars disrupt the flow of water down a trail and associated drains move the water off the trail. Good drainage prevents trail erosion. Water bars and drains fill up, however, and are one of the things we should look at in spring maintenance outings. A Pulaski is an ideal tool for this work, but they are heavy. I carry a small hoe with me, and it is very effective for clearing drains and redefining the water bars. Keep this in mind as you assess your trail this spring.
  • Shelters: Several of the volunteer groups are setting very high standards in taking responsibility for the spur trails down to shelters and for fixing up the shelters themselves. Among the work reported has been repairing the roof of a shelter, repairing the table, general cleaning and repainting (signs), providing new brooms, and placing new log books (with FoOT brochure included!) If you have a shelter on your section, take a good look and see if a little bit of effort can't greatly improve the experience. Remember that positive experience we want trail users to have.