Timber Sale Haul Routes

I organized a field tour / workshop between two Field Offices looking at haul routes, Best Management Practices, aquatic effects, and road maintenance.  I wanted to subtly point out the differences between really exemplary  work and work that could use some improvement.

This haul route (below) was done well and really the only complaint was that the road aggregate had a pretty high percentage of fine material, which while important for cohesion, can easily mobilize and make its way to the stream network

This haul route (below) was in pretty bad shape because it wasn't improved before use, is super steep, doesn't have adequate ditch relief, and allows for turbid water to directly enter the stream network.  Corrective measure were implemented immediately following the field visit!

This haul route was done perfectly.  Despite a ton of traffic, the road was built up and maintained well, used appropriate aggregate, and got good drainage infrastructure.

And then, on a totally different day, I attended a field tour hosted by Weyerhaeuser learning about a soil-carbon storage project they recently conducted.  A bunch of BLM soil scientists attended from western Oregon.