Cost of and Soil Loss on 'Minimum-Standard' Forest Truck Roads Constructed in the Central Appalachians

摘要

A 'minimum-standard' forest truck road that provides efficient and environmentally acceptable access for several forest activities is described. Cost data are presented for eight of these roads constructed in the central Appalachians. The average cost per mile excluding gravel was $8,119. The range was $5,048 to $14,424. Soil loss was measured from several sections of a minimum-standard road. Traffic was regulated the first year and unrestricted the second year. Losses ranged from 44 tons per acre on ungraveled road sections to 5 tons per acre on graveled sections. Soil loss from the graveled sections on the minimum-standard road was about the same as that from higher standard graveled roads.