I
TM 5-803-12
rainfall. Drainage on slopes underlain by shale
National Register of Historic Places) may con-
strain recreational development either on or im-
formations is a crucial development considera-
mediately adjacent to such features.
tion.
b. Some aspects of the environment of an in-
(3) Rare, threatened and endangered spe-
stallation may be actually conducive to recrea-
cies. Camping and hiking are two popular forms
tional development; i.e., may provide unique
of outdoor recreation and the most desirable
opportunities or serve as inducements to devel-
locations for campgrounds and trails are often
opment of certain facilities. For example, the
in outstanding natural environments. Such en-
highest elevation on a particular installation may
vironments sometimes contain rare, threatened
sometimes lend itself to the development of a
or endangered species of plants or animals. Site
scenic overlook. Geologic features such as cliffs,
selection for recreation facilities in natural areas
boulder fields, ledges, rock shelters, caves and
should be preceded by a determination of the
presence or absence of rare, threatened or en-
arches will generally influence site selection for
trails, campgrounds and picnic areas. Similarly,
dangered species. If present, facilities develop-
a body of water of any size, from a brook in a
ment should be prohibited on or immediately
forested tract to the seashore, is a recreational
adjacent to sites occupied by such species. The
asset and an inducement to recreational facility
use of federal funds for the construction of any
development (from streamside trails and picnic
facility that would impact the critical habitat of
sites to beach bathhouses and concession facil-
any plant or animal on the Federal Endangered
ities ). Waterfalls and rapids are other examples
Species List is expressly forbidden by the pro-
of special natural features that attract or invite
visions of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
recreational development in their immediate vi-
cinity.
(4) Air quality limitations. Air quality fac-
tors are generally constraints to recreational
6-3. Vehicular circulation and
development only in urbanized areas where the
parking.
local air quality control region is not in compli-
ance with the Clean Air Act for one or more air
a. Roadways. Roadways serving outdoor rec-
quality contaminants. Some outdoor recreation
reation facilities may be paved surfaces, or in
activities at installations in or near urban areas
some instances, gravel-surfaced, such as an ac-
may be traffic-generating. Automobiles are non-
cess road to a remote lake used for fishing. As
stationary sources of particulate pollution and
a general rule, access roads should be asphalt
photochemical oxidants. The latter contribute
in order to reduce dust production. Layout of
to the development of ozone. If the local area is
access roads should follow the topography, tak-
in non-compliance for particulate, photochem-
ing advantage of level ridgetops and naturally-
ical oxidants or ozone, air quality considerations
occurring gentle inclines, wherever possible, to
may constrain the development of traffic-gen-
minimize the need for cut-and-fill operations and
erating forms of outdoor recreation facilities.
keep construction costs low. Recreation access
(5) Water quality limitations. Swimming and
roads should have a maximum design speed of
water-skiing are primary-contact forms of water-
15 to 25 miles per hour, which will permit road-
related outdoor recreation; i.e., the participant
way curves with shorter than normal turning
is emersed in a body of water. If water quality
radii. Two-way approach roads should be a min-
in the body of water intended for such use is not
imum of 20 feet wide. The low design speeds
in compliance with federal standards under the
make it feasible and appropriate to split roads
Clean Water Act for primary contact recreation,
around large, specimen trees or wind then
such uses (and related developments such as
through rock outcrops, both enforcing the slow
beaches and bathhouses ) are prohibited. Water
speeds and giving the road aesthetic character.
quality conditions may also constrain develop-
Such design devices help create a transition ex-
ments such as parking lots, which have poten-
perience; it becomes evident to the occupants of
tial to discharge contaminated surface runoff
a vehicle, just from the character of the road
into adjacent bodies of water, or package sew-
they are on, that they are entering a recrea-
age treatment plants if they will produce un-
tional site.
acceptable effluent loads in an adjacent body of
b. Entrance drives. Entrance drives to recre-
water.
ation sites with support buildings should ter-
(6) Cultural features. Significant archaeo-
minate at a turn-around near the building
logical or historic sites or artifacts (either Na-
entrance. The turn-around should be designed
tional Register properties or nominees to the
to accommodate the turning radius of a bus.
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