Unauthorized Human Use Impacts on Riparian/Stream Restoration
Linnea Spears-Lebrun1
1SWCA, Durango, CO, USA; linnea.spears-lebrun@swca.com
Humans use natural areas for authorized activities such as recreation, solitude, and education but also for many unauthorized uses including trails, off-roading, dumping, illicit activities and homes. Authorized uses are generally factored into the land use planning and management of a project. However, unauthorized uses can have a wide range of unaccounted for detrimental effects on ecosystems, with a disproportionate impact on riparian habitats in urban settings. These types of impacts have increased over the past 20 years and need to be part of the planning over the next 20 years. This presentation will explore the types of human disturbances that should be considered when selecting a site, evaluating risk, estimating costs for maintenance (short and long-term), and setting success standards.