Water resource issues and solutions for forest roads in California

Unpaved forest roads are recognized as being the primary source of anthropogenic sediment that is delivered to stream channels in managed forested watersheds in the western United States. Research studies, sediment budgets, and agency monitoring projects in California have shown that road-stream crossings and road segments that drain to crossings are high-risk sites for sediment input. In particular, older "legacy" roads and crossings that pre-date current forest practice rules can be sources of chronic and episodic sediment delivery. Because many California streams provide habitat for listed anadromous fish species, there has been increased emphasis on reducing road-related sediment production. Numerous efforts are made by resource agencies, landowners, and watershed groups to address road-related sedimentation. Most owners of large forest parcels have road management plans for inventorying and prioritizing high-risk road sites for remedial treatments or decommissioning. State and federal grant and cost-sharing programs are used extensively to support road improvement projects. A recent review of state-funded road decommissioning work showed that accepted protocols are generally effectivefor preventing erosion and sediment delivery, but that they are not uniformly implemented at road-stream crossings. Training workshops and guidebooks are employed to improve stakeholder knowledge regarding proper design and installation of crossing structures and treatment of roads to reduce sediment delivery.