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Carderock Climbing Area Maintenance
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park » Carderock Climbing Area Maintenance » Document List
Volunteers for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park will placing mulch at the Carderock Climbing Area located within the Carderock Recreation Area on September 9, 2006. The area is an extremely popular venue for climbing enthusiasts. In addition, the Billy Goat Trail Section C passes through this area. Consequently, the area sees a high volume of visitors throughout the year. This heavy use creates soil compaction, the loss of vegetation, and damage to tree roots. The purpose of the project is to spread a three to four-inch layer of one-year-old non-treated composted wood chips to lessen the impact of this heavy use. Volunteers will use wheelbarrows to move the mulch from its drop-off point in the parking lot D to the upper end of the climbing area. Rakes will be used to spread the mulch evenly across the impacted area. This project would be completed in one day in approximately four hours. The climbing area will have to be closed during this project. Signs and prior notification will be used to notify the climbing public and permit holders. This project was introduced in 2001 and this will be the sixth year to address the ongoing problem.
Evaluations will be undertaken for long-term solutions to resource impacts. The National Park Service will be consulting with subject experts to develop solutions and mitigations.
The project has been reviewed for impacts to natural and cultural resources by the park's Interdisciplinary Team. The project does not pose any serious or long-term effects to environmental, historical, cultural, archeological, or visual resources. It meets Categorical Exclusion #C.3 "Routine Maintenance and repairs to non-historic structures, facilities, utilities, grounds, and trails."
Evaluations will be undertaken for long-term solutions to resource impacts. The National Park Service will be consulting with subject experts to develop solutions and mitigations.
The project has been reviewed for impacts to natural and cultural resources by the park's Interdisciplinary Team. The project does not pose any serious or long-term effects to environmental, historical, cultural, archeological, or visual resources. It meets Categorical Exclusion #C.3 "Routine Maintenance and repairs to non-historic structures, facilities, utilities, grounds, and trails."