APPENDIX G

ROUTE MITIGATIONS

 
 
September 2012 Lower Sonoran Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan G-1 

APPENDIX G

ROUTE MITIGATIONS

Nature of the Conflict with Routes and Use of Routes

Conflict Typical mitigation (in order of possible 

implementation, not all mitigation measures may be 

used)

Resource issues

Human use associated with a route is

degrading xeroriparian (desert wash)

condition

1. Place information signs to request positive behavior (i.e. 

no wood cutting, do not drive up wash banks, etc.) 

2. Place additional route markers to define one route

3. Reroute the route to allow strata condition to improve

4. Fence the area or place barriers to manage people

5. Close the route and make a plan for reclamation

Human use associated with a route is

degrading desired plant communities

1. Place additional signs directing vehicles to stay on routes

2. Conduct public outreach regarding noxious weeds and

conserving vegetation

3. Fence the area or place barriers to manage people

4. Develop a program to improve desired plant community

5. Close the route and make a plan for reclamation

Human use associated with a route is

degrading water quality

1. Review the situation, determine the source of 

degradation, monitor to determine severity

2. Place water control measures on the route

3. Take reasonable measure to further harden/stabilize the 

route

4. Reroute the route

5. Close the route if no suitable mitigation is possible

Human use on a route is determined 

to significantly degrade a particular 

habitat

1. Request certain behavior from route users through signs 

and other information

2. Place limitations of use on the route (time or season of 

use, type of use, number of users, behavioral 

requirements)

3. Reroute the route

4. Replace habitat to offset problems caused by human use

a. Augment food/water sources

b. Place barriers along route to protect specific habitat

features

c. Relocate or expand reproduction sites to be away from

the route

5. Close route if no suitable mitigation is possible, make plan 

for reclamation
Appendix G. Route Mitigations

G-2 Lower Sonoran Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan September 2012

Nature of the Conflict with Routes and Use of Routes

Conflict Typical mitigation (in order of possible 

implementation, not all mitigation measures may be 

used)

Dust caused by human use along a 

route violates county and state dust 

regulations

1. Determine a short term solution

a. Monitor situation and determine severity of the 

problem 

b. Close the route or area temporarily to stop dust 

generation

c. Stabilize the route using a county approved method

d. Place signs requesting a certain behavior (i.e. no wheel

spin, reduce speed)

2. Determine a long term solution

a. Change formal maintenance interval on route 

consistent with use level

b. Develop a localized outreach program

c. Implement new technology as part of an area wide plan

d. Close route if suitable dust control is not possible, 

make plan for reclamation

Human use associated with a route is 

causing unnatural erosion rates

1. Review the route to determine cause and monitor to 

determine severity

2. Place water control measures on the route

3. Take reasonable measure to further harden or stabilize 

the route

4. Reroute the route

5. Close the route if no suitable mitigation is possible

Human use associated with a route is 

causing damage to a cultural resources

1. Determine the legality of the human activities occurring

2. Implement a public exclosure method such as fencing

3. Determine an appropriate treatment method to protect 

cultural resources.

4. Temporary closure of route on an emergency basis or 

permanently if no suitable treatment can be achieved.

Social Issues:

Speed differential causes conflict 

between recreationists and/or local 

residents

1. Place signs to raise awareness of lawful uses of the area.

2. Monitor situation on the ground and request law 

enforcement support if necessary

3. Conduct public outreach in an attempt change behavior

4. Review terrain and improve sight distances if possible

5. Redesign traffic flow by separating uses or limit by type or 

time of use

Sound level causes conflict between

recreationists and/or local residents

1. Place signs to raise awareness of sound issues/laws

2. Monitor situation on the ground and request law 

enforcement support as necessary to enforce existing law

3. Conduct public outreach in an attempt change behavior

4. Implement "Quiet Time" use restrictions

Appendix E. Possible Easement Locations for Access to Public Lands
Appendix G. Route Mitigations

September 2012 Lower Sonoran Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan G-3 

Nature of the Conflict with Routes and Use of Routes

Conflict Typical mitigation (in order of possible 

implementation, not all mitigation measures may be 

used)

5. Reroute traffic to minimize conflict

6. Place sound reducing barriers as necessary

7. Close route if no suitable mitigation is possible
Appendix G. Route Mitigations

G-4 Lower Sonoran Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan September 2012 

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