Bowman Canyon Habitat Protection and Public Access Improvement Project

Implementation of the proposed project would meet the project purpose and objectives by protecting sensitive habitats while providing recreational opportunities on a sustainable network of trails and fire roads, informed by five biological resource assessments. This would be accomplished by reducing the overall road footprint through the decommissioning of some road and trail segments in sensitive habitat, relocating trails out of sensitive habitats, converting some roads to trails, improving some road and trail segments, development of new sustainable trails, installation of drainage and watercourse improvements, and passive restoration of sensitive habitats supplemented by additional seeding and planting of native shrubs consistent with the policies and best management practices included in the MCOSD’s Road and Trail Management Plan. The proposed project would include fire roads, multi-use trails, hiking and equestrian trails, and hiking and cycling trails. Of the trails that are proposed for cycling access, four will be directional, allowing for one-way bicycle travel only. These directional trails will be designed to increase visitor comfort, recreational safety, and heighten the Open Space experience for all user groups. This is a new feature for MCOSD open space preserves that is expected to reduce user conflicts on the trail system. These actions would meet the proposed project purpose and objectives by protecting sensitive resources, reducing habitat fragmentation, improving trail sustainability by reducing road and trail erosion and minimizing sediment delivery into surface waters, and providing an improved and sustainable trail network for visitors.