Trail Classification System

Introduction
Many who enjoy recreational riding on public lands are concerned about the reduction of trails, trail heads, and the closure of public lands to horses and pack animals. Access to areas to ride is one of the most important issues facing riders. To prevent further closures, recreational riders must work closely with their federal, state, and local land managers.

Forest Service Rule Proposal
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in July proposed a new National Trail Classification System (TCS), including the Trail Class Matrix and Design Parameters, and proposed implementing directives. The proposed TCS was open for public comment until September 1, 2006.

The proposed TCS public comment period is a result of a lawsuit filed by the Backcountry Horsemen of America. The U.S. District Court ruled that the USFS failed to allow public notice and comment, as required by law.

The new TCS centers on a core of “trail fundamentals,” which are considered crucial for trail planning and management. The trail fundamentals consist of 1) trail type—the predominant trail surface and general mode of travel on the trail; 2) trail class—scale of trail development, ranging from minimal/undeveloped to fully developed trail; 3) managed use—the mode of travel that is actively managed and appropriate on a trail, considering design and management; 4) designed use—the managed use of a trail that requires the most demanding design, construction and maintenance and 5) design parameters—the technical guidelines for trail survey, design, construction, maintenance, and assessment..

The TCS describes how these trail fundamentals should be applied for trail planning and management and provide guidance on how trail fundamentals can be applied at the local level. The TCS also includes a chart that shows the relationship between the trail classes and the managed uses.

Under the new proposal, the design parameters, which are the technical guidelines for trail design, construction, maintenance surveying and assessment, replace the old system of trail guides. The new design parameters consist of: hiker/pedestrian, pack and saddle stock, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, cross-country ski, and snowmobiles.

The new TCS also includes a trail class matrix, trail class and managed use application guide, trail operation and maintenance considerations and design parameters as exhibits.

AHC Comments
The American Horse Council submitted comments in August 2006 that highlight the importance of trail riding and access to the recreational riding community. The AHC argued that the proposed Trail Classification System (TCS) would reduce the range of opportunities and amount of area available to recreational riders and stock users in wilderness and non-wilderness areas.

The new TCS aligns trail classes to the Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), to determine appropriate use. The ROS runs from primitive on one end to urban on the other. Because most wilderness trails are at the primitive end of the spectrum, these wilderness trails would be classified as Trail Class 1 (TC1). TC1 design parameters will not accommodate recreational saddle or pack stock, effectively eliminating riders from a portion of trails currently accessible.

Historically, pack and saddle stock has been an allowable use in wilderness areas. However, if the proposed changes are not modified, trail opportunities accommodating recreational stock would no longer exist and the management standards for popular trails would be decreased or eliminated, thus inaccessible to pack and saddle stock users.

AHC Position
The AHC is concerned that the Forest Service, through changes in the trail classification system, is implicitly trying to eliminate access for riders and pack stock to various trails. For these reasons, this new classification system is very important and could have broad effects on the use of horses, and other recreational activities, on such federal lands. The AHC comments emphasize the importance of continued access to Forest Service land for horses and requesting changes to the proposed TCS.

Pack and saddle stock must be accommodated within each wilderness, and within each portion of wilderness, where it has historically existed when the area was designated as wilderness. That customary and historical trail access should be maintained to the level and character that existed when the area was designated.