Roads, Skid Trails, Landings, and Stream Crossings
	Planning
	Road erosion is a primary cause of stream sedimentation associated with forest harvesting. Mass movement associated with road construction also causes sedimentation. Water quality of streams and lakes can be protected by careful planning, designing and proper construction of roads after they have been appropriately located. Proper planning can be helpful to a landowner by reducing the number, width and length of roads, decreasing the amount of maintenance re q u i red and limiting the visual and physical impact to the land. A reduction in the amount of roads to be constructed can also save a landower money.
	Planning decisions affect the cost of a road system, long-term maintenance needs, life expectancy and the amount of nonpoint source pollution it may cause. The type, location and design of any road should be based on:
	Future uses of the road system. Site specifics such as soils, slopes, geology, vegetation, storm runoff, etc. Coordination with adjacent landowners, if possible. Use of temporary roads whenever practical.
	Additional points to consider when planning for road construction include the following:
	Locate roads on well-drained soils wherever possible. Avoid unstable slopes which may be evidenced by slumps, uneven topography, pistol-butted or J-shaped trees, dips, cracks or previous slides. Identify optimum stream crossing locations first, then locate roads to accommodate these crossings. Roads should be located outside of stream management zones. Locate roads to follow natural contours as much as possible. This will minimize cuts and fills and reduce need for fill material or removal of excess material. It will also decrease the amount of disturbed area which may then need to be revegetated. Keep road grades below 10%, if possible. Roads may exceed 10% for short distances but, if so, install road drainage features and take measures to prevent erosion.
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