Roads should be adequately designed to accommodate the type of use they will receive. Main access routes and haul roads should be ditched and sloped to provide for adequate drainage. They should be graveled under most conditions. Secondary and temporary roads can be narrower and seeded to herbaceous cover after use in order to prevent erosion and to provide food for wildlife. The Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Management Practices on Forest Land manual should be used as a guide for road design and construction and are available at local Department of Natural Resources offices.
Road maintenance is important in order to minimize erosion and the expense of reconstruction.
A well designed and well maintained road system will serve optimal forest use at minimal cost with minimal environmental damage. Other points to consider are do as much road work in advance to allow roadbeds time to settle and avoid use of roads when soils are wet. This website is maintained by Bill Cook , Michigan State University Extension Forester in the Upper Pensinsula. Comments, questions, and suggestions are gratefully accepted. Editorial issues can be addressed to Eric Thompson .