Indian Creek Trail Improvements #210745

The US Forest Service proposes to conduct trail construction, maintenance, and restoration in the area around the Indian Creek Trail, NFST 800, west of Castle Rock, Colorado.  The Indian Creek Trail Improvements Project would address the project need to manage non-motorized recreation opportunities, minimize impacts to wildlife habitat, and mitigate conflicts between recreation uses. The existing trail system (NFST 800) encompasses a combination of non-motorized single and double track routes that have difficult access points and insufficient wayfinding support. Additionally, a dense amount of non-system routes exists throughout this area that are situated in and adjacent to sensitive riparian corridors. These user-developed routes are in poor, unsustainable conditions that degrade wildlife habitat and present a safety concern for visitors.

To address the project needs, the proposed action would include:

1. Reclamation of unsustainable routes: Crews would obliterate approximately 6.8 miles of unsustainable social trails by recontouring and/or scarifying the soil surface and/or placing local woody debris over them and installing signage to discourage public use and facilitate natural revegetation in denuded areas.
2. New trail construction: Up to 9.1 miles of new trail construction would take place in approved locations using sustainable designs and appropriate signage.
3. Deferred trail maintenance: Existing system trails may be maintained in segments as needed, including signage installation, tread repair, cutting back encroaching vegetation, and minor realignments to improve route safety/sustainability.

Implementation activities would likely occur in the spring, summer, and/or fall seasons and may include use of volunteer and professional trail crews, professional trail builders, youth corps, or other resources. Trail work would include the use of heavy machinery (such as mini excavator, skid steer, mechanical wheelbarrows, etc.) as well as small hand tools to refine the new and existing tread. Standard trail features will be utilized for drainage and tread hardening as needed.

The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration. Anonymous comments and comments submitted after the close of the final designated comment period will not provide the commenter standing for administrative review. Comments, or in some cases other expressions of interest, along with respondent's contact information, submitted during the comment period may be necessary to establish a respondent's eligibility to participate in an administrative review for this proposed action. Interested members of the public should review the proposal's information to determine the applicable administrative review process and the eligibility requirements for that process.