RECOMMENDATION #2001-02
CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGN AND FUTURE USE OF TRAILS ON THE FERNALD SITE
April 19, 2001

Presented to: Stephen H. McCracken, U.S. DOE, Fernald Site Office

Source of Recommendation:

• Full Board
• Stewardship Committee

Type of Recommendation:

• Initial
• Follow-on to Recommendation

Response Requested by: ongoing coordination desired

Recognizing the need to incorporate the funding and planning of future uses with current remediation, the Fernald Citizens Advisory Board recommends that the following criteria for trails on the restored site be incorporated into all DOE planning and remediation activities at the Fernald site. Work should begin now to design the complete trail system so that proper grading and other work can be incorporated into remediation and restoration activities, and strongly encourage that all site decisions be made in light of the future of Fernald to ensure the efficient integration of future use activities with the remediation process. The FCAB looks forward to working closely with DOE in the planning, design, and implementation of all future trails at the Fernald site. The criteria are in keeping with the ecological and educational emphasis envisioned for the restored site.

• Trails should provide access to key ecological areas and enhance the educational experience.
• Trails should provide access to areas used for environmental monitoring.
• Areas of the site identified for research should not be readily accessible to the public.
• Trails should be designed to encourage and support learning and field study activities. Trails should be designed to discourage recreational activities such as biking, rollerblading, and jogging. As such, trails should not "loop" through sensitive areas.
• In the more environmentally sensitive areas, trails should be made of materials that have the least negative impact on the environment while maximizing educational access.
• Trails should provide access to overlooks of environmentally sensitive areas.
• Trails should provide access to both the Native American burial site and connect that site with the envisioned on-site Education Center.
• Trails should provide some level of handicap accessibility. The FCAB recognizes that some environmentally sensitive areas of the restored site will not be handicap accessible.
• Historical, environmental, and educational markers should be placed along the trails. These markers should be tastefully designed in keeping with the environment and durable so as to minimize maintenance.
• The design of the trails should facilitate educational field trips.
• The design of the trails should limit the number of points of public access to site.