Beavers from nearby PA State Game lands have established residence directly along the trail edge, creating a dam 12 inches higher than the trail treadway with flooding blocking trail access. Previous relocation efforts have confirmed the need to accept beaver activity. The maintenance plan will therefore re-establish drainage along the trail, move the trail approximately 6’, build a base with river rock to permit permeation without damage, raise the trail height, and crown and refurbish the trail surface. Approximately 0.25 miles of significant trail damage will be remediated with this grant. Additional funding will be procured to address the balance of maintenance activities between Hereford and Simmons Roa.

Project goals are to eliminate consistent water on the treadway, restore the trail’s usability and continuity, and create a trail location that is minimally impacted by beaver activity.

Initial activities will halt continued water flow down the trail, thus allowing the treadway to dry. While the treadway is drying, volunteers will clear brush along the trail edge under experienced leadership, trim the tree canopy to 22’, and remove any invasive plants and birch trees to reduce the attraction of beavers. Diseased trees will also be removed. The canopy will still shade vegetation providing summer relief for users and reducing mowing needs. Once the soil has dried enough to work, drainage ditches will be re-established on each side of the trail. Access to the existing second set of water management ditches will be cleared. Materials removed are mostly railbed ballast and will be utilized to rebuild the trail surface and ditch berms thus reducing trucking costs. Confidence in the ability to do this is high as two team members own excavating businesses and will be performing the work. Each has evaluated remediation needs and provided input to the plan and budget.

Because many users are unfamiliar with beavers, once trail improvements are made, the Northwest PA Trail Association plans to evaluate a viewing area for trail users to rest near the beaver pond and spot a beaver, muskrat, or waterfowl taking up new residence in the ares.