| A unit of Lasting Forests
evolving since March 30, 1999 |
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A Total Forest Management Plan
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Gates for forested properties are important management tools. They also create more problems than their size or apparent importance justifies. They may keep people out or let them in. They are a vital component of management efforts to prevent wildfires, reduce vandalism, reduce poaching of game and timber, and to monitor and regulate recreational use. They are invaluable as data collection points in the forest.
The problems are so great that road designers will alter old roads or design entrance and exit intersections so that they can be efficiently gated.
Gates are essential to protect roads and the areas that they serve. There can be excellent hiking trails and riding trails but if improperly used or used at the wrong times or conditions, the results can be extreme erosion, high maintenance and repair costs, and even breakdown of service that was intended.
Failure of fire roads and emergency access roads can be disastrous. Failure of roads and trails to provide excellent recreation can be financially bad for recreationists who will not return or assist in marketing the area or its future use.
We maintain a flexible strategy. We educate all users of the area about the roads and the gates and the reasons for them.
On some roads we have vertical posts with only a horizontal bar laid across the posts. (usually with one hinge post). This is an advisory gate. People will go through any gate. Rather than making them of high cost and a challenge to interlopers, we use the advisory concept. To move such a bar or gate shows "intent" which may be used in some court cases involving trespass.
We have steel and concrete gates in some areas. Locks are protected from bolt cutters by being placed within the vertical steel post. These gates also have small signs readable from a distance of about 12 feet.
Note: Gate posts and their lock configurations are notorious for housing stinging insects.
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This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision July 20, 2001.