Regulatory Assessment
Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas       PDF version

April 2007

This assessment has been developed and reviewed in accordance with the Access Board’s information quality guidelines (www.access-board.gov/about/policies/infoquality.htm).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND
CHAPTER 2 CAMPING AND PICNIC AREAS
CHAPTER 3 TRAILS
CHAPTER 4 OTHER OUTDOOR DEVELOPED AREAS
NOTES

APPENDICES:
APPENDIX A: CAMPING AND PICNIC AREA PROJECTS DATA REQUEST
APPENDIX B: CAMPING AND PICNIC AREA PROJECTS DATA SUMMARY
APPENDIX C: TRAIL PROJECTS DATA REQUEST
APPENDIX D: TRAIL PROJECTS DATA SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Federal Agencies Affected by Guidelines
1.3 Need for Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas
1.4 Guidelines History
1.5 Baselines
1.6 Costs
1.7 Benefits

1.1 Introduction

The Access Board prepared this regulatory assessment pursuant to Executive Order 12866 for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to issue accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. The guidelines apply to the construction or alteration of camping and picnic areas, trails, and other outdoor developed areas by Federal agencies. The Architectural Barriers Act requires these facilities to be accessible to individuals with disabilities.[1]

The Access Board is required by the Rehabilitation Act to establish minimum accessibility guidelines for facilities covered by the Architectural Barriers Act.[2] After the Access Board publishes the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas, the General Services Administration and Department of Defense will adopt the guidelines as the accessibility standards that Federal agencies are required to use when constructing or altering outdoor developed areas covered by the Architectural Barriers Act.[3]

1.2 Federal Agencies Affected by Guidelines

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas affect the Federal agencies listed below that manage public lands which have among their uses camping and picnicking, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities.[4] Information on camping and picnic areas, trails, and other outdoor developed areas constructed or altered by the Federal land management agencies is presented in subsequent chapters.

Department of Agriculture

The Forest Service manages 155 National Forests and 22 National Grasslands on 192 acres in 42 states, territories, and commonwealths. The National Forests and Grasslands receive 205 million visits annually.

Department of the Interior

The National Park Service manages 58 National Parks and 332 other recreational and cultural sites on 85 million acres in 53 states and territories. The National Parks and the other National Park Service recreational and cultural sites receive 271 million visits annually.

The Fish and Wildlife Service manages 545 National Wildlife Refuges on 94 million acres in 52 states and territories. The National Wildlife Refuges receive 73 million visits annually.

The Bureau of Land Management manages 3,496 recreational sites on 262 million acres in 12 western states. The Bureau of Land Management recreational sites receive 56 million visits annually.

The Bureau of Reclamation manages 1,070 recreational sites on 9 million acres in 17 western states. The Bureau of Reclamation recreational sites receive 90 million visits annually.

Department of Defense

The Army Corps of Engineers manages 4,000 recreational sites at 456 projects (mostly lakes) on 12 million acres in 43 states. The Army Corps of Engineers recreational sites receive 375 million visits annually.

1.3 Need for Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas

The Access Board has issued accessibility guidelines for many of the facilities covered by the Architectural Barriers Act. These guidelines are known as the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ABAAG).[5] ABAAG contains provisions that apply to some facilities constructed or altered in outdoor developed areas by the Federal land management agencies such as parking areas, visitor centers, restrooms and bathing facilities, fishing piers and platforms, and boating docks and marinas. However, ABAAG does not address other spaces and elements constructed or altered in outdoor developed areas by the Federal land management agencies such as recreational vehicle and tent camping spaces, picnic tables, fire rings, and pedestal grills.

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas contain provisions for the construction or alteration of spaces and elements in outdoor developed areas that are not addressed in ABAAG. The guidelines also establish new provisions for outdoor recreation access routes, trails, and beach access routes. Finally, the guidelines provide exceptions for conditions that exist in the outdoor environment.

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor develop areas will enable the Federal land management agencies to comply with the Architectural Barriers Act when constructing or altering spaces and elements in outdoor developed areas that are not addressed in ABAAG.

1.4 Guidelines History

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas are consensus guidelines that were developed through regulatory negotiation.[6] The Federal land management agencies participated on the regulatory negotiation committee that developed the guidelines along with other organizations whose interests are affected by the guidelines.[7] The regulatory negotiation committee worked on the guidelines for two years from June 1997 to September 1999.[8]

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas initially were intended to also apply to state and local governments and private entities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.[9] However, the Access Board was unable to find sufficient information to prepare a regulatory assessment of the impacts of the guidelines on State and local governments and private entities that construct or alter camping and picnic areas, trails, and other outdoor developed areas. The Access Board subsequently decided to limit the application of the guidelines to the Federal land management agencies under the Architectural Barriers Act.[10]

1.5 Baselines

Regulatory actions are compared to a baseline to estimate their costs and benefits. The baseline is a reasonable assessment of what would happen in the absence of the regulatory action, the status quo. The accessibility policies and practices of the Federal land management agencies have evolved over 30 years. The Federal land management agencies’ accessibility policies and practices before and after the regulatory negotiation committee recommended the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas are discussed below.

Federal Land Management Agency Accessibility Policies and Practices Before the Regulatory Negotiation Committee

Since 1978, the Federal land management agencies had a separate obligation under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to ensure that their newly constructed or altered facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.[11] The Federal land management agencies initially used the American National Standard Institutes’ (ANSI) accessibility standard for buildings and then the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) as the accessibility standard for their facilities.[12] Although the ANSI standard and UFAS did not contain specific provisions for camping and picnic areas, trails, and other outdoor developed areas, the Federal land management agencies applied the technical provisions in the ANSI standard and UFAS for accessible routes, clear floor and maneuvering space, ground surfaces, and reach ranges to the extent possible when constructing or altering these facilities.[13]

In 1985, the Access Board convened a Federal Working Group on Access to Recreation Facilities to review existing practices for designing accessible outdoor recreation facilities. All the Federal land management agencies participated in the working group, and recommended provisions for designing accessible camping and picnic areas and trails. The National Park Service published these provisions in 1989 to use as a supplement to UFAS.[14]

In 1992, the National Park Service entered into a cooperative agreement with the Indiana University, Department of Park and Recreation Administration, to establish a National Center on Accessibility for developing best practice materials and training programs on accessibility for outdoor recreation facilities. The National Center on Accessibility has trained over 1,850 National Park Service personnel from 240 parks on best practices for designing accessible outdoor recreation facilities, including camping and picnic areas and trails. The National Center on Accessibility has also provided training programs on designing accessible outdoor recreation facilities for the other Federal land management agencies.

In 1993, “Universal Access to Outdoor Recreation: A Design Guide” was published. The design guide was developed through a public/private partnership between Project Play and Learning in Adaptable Environments, Inc. (PLAE) and the Forest Service.[15] The design guide included provisions for accessible camping and picnic areas and trails and was used by the Forest Service.

The Federal land management agencies also assigned accessibility managers and accessibility coordinators at the national, regional, and local levels to provide direction and support for implementing the agencies’ accessibility policies and practices.

Thus, prior to the regulatory negotiation committee, the Federal land management agencies were for the most part at the forefront: demonstrating best practices, publishing design guides, providing training, and assigning accessibility managers and accessibility coordinators to ensure that the construction and alterations of camping and picnic areas and trails were accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Federal Land Management Agency Accessibility Policies and Practices After the Regulatory Negotiation Committee

As discussed earlier in this chapter, the Federal land management agencies, as well as the National Center on Accessibility, were members of the regulatory negotiation committee that recommended the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. The regulatory negotiation committee built on the earlier work of the Federal land management agencies. The Federal land management agencies in turn used the work of the regulatory negotiation committee to refine their accessibility policies and practices.

The Forest Service prepared the “Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines” (FSORAG) and “Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines” (FSTAG) based on the work of the regulatory negotiation committee.[16] The Forest Service amended the Forest Service Manual to require all construction and alteration projects in the National Forest System to use FSORAG and FSTAG.[17] FSORAG goes beyond the guidelines recommended by the regulatory negotiation committee for certain elements and spaces.

The National Center on Accessibility prepared best practice bulletins for designing accessible camping and picnic areas and accessible trails based on the work of the regulatory negotiation committee.[18] The National Park Service and other Federal land management agencies in the Department of Interior currently use these best practice bulletins for their construction and alteration projects.

The Army Corps of Engineers prepared “Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards” for its construction and alteration projects.[19] The Army Corps of Engineers’ standards are based on general considerations of public convenience, resource protection, and sustainability. The Army Corps of Engineers’ standards require all campsite living areas to have firm and stable ground surfaces at cooking and eating areas and at tent pads. The Army Corps of Engineers’ standards also include provisions for accessibility that require all new picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills to be accessible. The Army Corps of Engineers construction and alteration projects also use best practices for accessible design. [20]

Baselines for Regulatory Assessment

The Access Board used two baselines for this regulatory assessment. The first baseline assesses the costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices as described below:

• Forest Service – FSORAG and FSTAG. The Forest Service currently requires all its construction and alteration projects to use FSORAG and FSTAG. FSORAG and FSTAG generally meet or exceed the level of accessibility in the guidelines. Thus, the Forest Service’s projects will not incur any additional costs associated with the guidelines compared to FSORAG and FSTAG.

• Department of the Interior – Best Practice Bulletins. The Federal land management agencies in the Department of the Interior currently use the National Center on Accessibility’s best practice bulletins. However, the agencies have not formally required all their construction and alteration projects to use the best practice bulletins. Therefore, this baseline assumes 50 percent to 75 percent of the agencies’ projects use the best practice bulletins.[21] The best practice bulletins generally meet the level of accessibility in the guidelines. Thus, the percentage of the agencies’ projects that will incur additional costs associated with the guidelines range from a lower bound of 25 percent to an upper bound of 50 percent.

• Army Corps of Engineers – Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards and Best Practices. The Army Corps of Engineers currently require all its construction and alteration projects to use its “Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards” and also currently recommend that the projects use best practices for accessible design. The Army Corps of Engineers “Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards” generally meet or exceed the level of accessibility in the guidelines, except for recreational vehicle parking areas and trails.[22] The baseline assumes 50 percent to 75 percent of the Army Corps of Engineers’ projects use best practices for designing accessible recreational vehicle parking areas and trails that meet the level of accessibility in the guidelines.[23] Thus, the percentage of the Army Corps of Engineers’ projects that will incur additional costs for recreational vehicle parking areas and trails associated with the guidelines ranges from a lower bound of 25 percent to an upper bound of 50 percent.

The second baseline assesses the costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise. That is, the second baseline attempts to evaluate how the Federal land management’s agencies would construct or alter the elements and spaces covered by the guidelines in the absence of any accessibility requirements.

1.6 Costs

Elements and Spaces Covered by Guidelines

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas cover the elements and spaces listed in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 - Elements and Spaces Covered by Guidelines

Annual Expenditures on Construction or Alteration of Elements and Spaces Covered by Guidelines

Establishing the Federal land management agencies annual expenditures on the construction or alteration of the elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas required a project-by-project review. The Access Board requested data from the Federal land management agencies on camping and picnic projects and trails projects funded in FY 2004 that included elements and spaces covered by the guidelines.[24]

The Forest Service prepared a regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG.[25] The Forest Service provided data from its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG. The National Park Service provided data from its Project Management Information System (PMIS). The other Federal land management agencies in the Department of the Interior, and the Army Corps of Engineers conducted data calls to their regional and field offices to provide project data. The data is summarized in Table 1.2. Some of the projects included the construction or alteration of general parking areas, restrooms, and other facilities covered by existing accessibility standards, or the construction or alteration of roads and other infrastructure that are not subject to accessibility standards. Thus, the total project costs overstate the expenditures on elements and spaces covered by the guidelines.

Table 1.2 – FY 2004 Projects That Included Construction or
Alteration of Elements and Spaces Covered by Guidelines

The number of projects that include the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas will vary each fiscal year based on the specific projects funded, and the total costs of the projects will also vary based on the scope of work of the projects.

Review of Projects

The Access Board reviewed 43 camping and picnic area projects and 26 trail projects that included the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas for this regulatory assessment, as shown in Table 1.3.[26] The purpose of the review was to assess the level of accessibility of the elements and spaces, and the additional costs associated with accessibility. The results of the review are discussed in the subsequent chapters.

Table 1.3 – Projects Reviewed for Regulatory Assessment

Costs Associated with Guidelines

The Access Board used the project reviews to develop models for estimating the additional annual costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the baselines discussed earlier in this chapter. The models are discussed in the subsequent chapters.

The additional annual costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices (baseline 1) are shown in Table 1.4 and range from $0.5 million to $1.1 million.

Table 1.4 – Additional Annual Costs Associated with Baseline 1:
Guidelines Compared to Agencies’ Current Accessibility Policies and Practices

The additional annual costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise (baseline 2) are shown in Table 1.5 and range from $2.0 million to $2.6 million.

Table 1.5 – Additional Annual Costs Associated with Baseline 2:
Guidelines Compared to Accessibility Not Required by Access Board or Otherwise

Thus, the guidelines are not an economically significant regulatory action compared to either of the two baselines, and the Access Board has not prepared a full cost-benefit analysis of the guidelines.[28]

1.7 Benefits

Individuals with disabilities, and their families and friends, will benefit from accessible facilities in outdoor developed areas. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are 51.2 million Americans with disabilities in the civilian non-institutionalized population in 2002.[29] Among the population age 15 and older, 2.7 million individuals used a wheelchair, and another 9.1 million used a mobility aid such as a cane, crutches, or walker. Many of the benefits to these individuals resulting from accessible facilities in outdoor developed areas are currently being realized under the Federal land management agencies’ current accessibility policies and practices. The Access Board’s accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas will contribute to the benefits, and justify issuing the guidelines.

CHAPTER 2: CAMPING AND PICNIC AREAS

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Camping and Picnic Area Projects Covered by Guidelines
2.3 Picnic Tables, Fire Rings and Pedestal Grills
2.4 Other Camping and Picnic Elements
2.5 Recreational Vehicle and Tent Camping Spaces
2.6 Outdoor Recreation Access Routes
2.7 Ground Surfaces
2.8 Costs

2.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the provisions in the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas that apply to the construction and alteration of camping and picnic areas. The provisions cover the following elements and spaces: picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, trash containers, water hydrants, utility hook-ups, benches, recreational vehicle and tent camping spaces, and outdoor recreation access routes.

2.2 Camping and Picnic Area Projects Covered By Guidelines

The number of camping and picnic areas managed by the Federal land management agencies is shown in Table 2.1.[30]

Table 2.1 – Camping and Picnic Areas Managed by Federal Agencies

The Federal land management agencies spend a small portion of their capital improvement funds on the construction and alteration of elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. The Forest Service reported in its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG that $75 million was spent on facilities improvements in the National Forest System in FY 2003, and that $6.9 million of this amount, or 9 percent of the total, was spent on the elements and spaces covered by FSORAG.

The Access Board requested data from the other Federal land management agencies on camping and picnic area projects funded in FY 2004 that included the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. The data provided by the other Federal land management agencies is presented in Table 2.2.[31] Some of the projects included the construction or alteration of general parking areas, restrooms, and other facilities covered by existing accessibility standards, or the construction or alteration of roads and other infrastructure that are not subject to accessibility standards. Thus, the total project costs overstate the expenditures on elements and spaces covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas.

Table 2.2 � FY 2004 Camping and Picnic Area Projects That Included Construction or Alteration of Elements and Spaces Covered by Guidelines

Accessible Tent Pads and Tent Platforms

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require accessible tent pads and tent platforms, and the 4 feet wide minimum clear space around the accessible tent pads or tent platforms, to have firm and stable ground surfaces.[71]

Seventeen (17) projects reviewed for this regulatory assessment constructed or altered tent pads or tent platforms. All the projects provided accessible tent pads or tent platforms with firm and stable ground surfaces as shown in Table 2.19.[72] Two projects reported data on tent pad or tent platform sizes and costs. Some projects provided larger pads that combined the cooking and eating areas and the tent pads, and did not report separate data on tent pad sizes and costs.

Table 2.19 � Projects That Provided Accessible Tent Pads or Tent Platforms with Firm and Stable Ground Surfaces

Agency	#  Projects Provided Firm & Stable  Tent Pads or Tent Platforms	# Projects Reported Data on Tent Pad or Tent Platform Size & Cost	Tent Pad or Tent Platform Sizes (Sq. Ft.)	Tent Pad or Tent Platform Costs
Department of Agriculture
Forest Service	9	1	144	$360
Department of Interior
National Park Service	3	0
Fish and Wildlife Service	1	0
Bureau of Land Management	2	0
Bureau of Reclamation	1	1	388	$1416
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers	1	0
Total	17	2

 

Outdoor Recreation Access Routes

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require outdoor recreation access routes to have firm and stable ground surfaces.[73]

Twenty-six (26) projects reviewed for this regulatory assessment constructed new camping and picnic areas, or altered existing outdoor recreation access routes. All 26 projects provided outdoor recreation access routes with firm and stable ground surfaces.[74] Three projects reported data on the size and costs of the outdoor recreation access routes as shown in Table 2.20.

Table 2.20 � Projects That Provided Firm and Stable Ground Surfaces at Outdoor Recreation Access Routes

Surface Materials Used

The projects used a variety of materials to provide firm and stable ground surfaces as shown in Table 2.21. Some projects did not report data on materials or costs. Some projects included expenses for clearing and grading the site, adding fill, and providing timber or block borders around the perimeter of the area in the figures.

Table 2.21 � Firm & Stable Surface Materials and Costs

2.8 Costs

The Access Board developed a model based on the project reviews to estimate the additional costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the baselines discussed in Chapter 1.

The model is based on the following assumptions:

• The number of camping and picnic area projects funded annually by each Federal land management agency that include the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the guidelines is the same as in FY 2004.
• All projects are new construction.
• The projects are equally divided between camping areas and picnic areas.
• Camping areas have between 26 and 50 camping spaces. The guidelines require at least 3 of the camping spaces to be accessible. The camping spaces are designed for recreational vehicle and tent camping. In the absence of the guidelines, a parking area (12 feet by 60 feet) with a hardened surface is provided in each camping space for recreational vehicles and cars. The guidelines require the parking area in at least 2 of the accessible camping spaces to be 20 feet wide, and permit the parking space in the other accessible camp space to be 16 feet wide. In the absence of the guidelines, a firm and stable tent pad (12 feet by 12 feet) is provided in each camping space. The guidelines require a firm and stable clear space 4 feet around the tent pad in the accessible camping spaces. Each camping space has a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal grill. The guidelines require the picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills in the accessible camping spaces to be accessible.
• Picnic areas have 10 picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills. The guidelines require at least 5 picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills to be accessible.
• The native surface in the camping and picnic areas is not firm and stable. In the absence of the guidelines, a firm and stable pad is not provided for the cooking and eating or living areas. In the accessible design, a firm and stable pad (20 feet by 30 feet) is provided for the cooking and eating or living areas that provides the clear space at the accessible elements and connects the accessible elements, as required by the guidelines.
• In the accessible camping spaces, the parking areas, tent pads, and pads for the eating and cooking or living areas adjoin each other.
• The accessible design does not increase the size of the camping space or require additional site work other than described above.

Additional Unit Costs for Accessible Elements and Spaces

The model uses the following additional unit costs for accessible elements and spaces:

• Picnic Tables. The additional cost for an accessible picnic table ranges from $0 to $70 on the Federal Supply Schedule and in manufacturers’ catalogues. The model uses the middle of the range ($35).
• Fire Rings. The additional cost for an accessible fire ring ranges from $54 to $178 on the Federal Supply Schedule and in manufacturers’ catalogues. The model uses the middle of the range ($116).
• Pedestal Grills. There is no additional cost for an accessible pedestal grill.
• Parking Areas. The parking area for a recreational vehicle in the absence of the guidelines is 720 square feet (12 feet by 60 feet). The parking area for a recreational vehicle in an accessible camping space is 960 square feet for a 16 feet wide space, and 1,200 square feet for a 20 feet wide space. Thus, the parking area in an accessible camping space is an additional 240 square feet for a 16 feet wide space and 480 square feet for a 20 feet wide space. The projects used a variety of materials to provide a hardened surface for the parking areas, including compacted gravel, asphalt, and concrete. The costs for the materials ranged from less than $1 per square foot to more than $10 per square foot. The model uses the middle of the range ($5 per square foot). The cost for an additional 240 square feet for a 16 feet wide parking area is $1,200; and the cost for an additional 480 square feet for a 20 feet wide parking area is $2,400.
• Tent Pads. The tent pad in the absence of the guidelines is 144 square feet (12 feet by 12 feet). The 4 feet of clear space around the tent pad in the accessible camping space is 256 square feet. The projects used a variety of materials to provide a firm and stable surface for the tent pads and clear space around the tent pads, including soil stabilizer and crushed stone fines. The costs for the materials ranged from less than $1 per square foot to $5 per square foot. The model uses the middle of the range ($2.50). The cost for 4 feet of clear space around the tent pad is $640.
• Pads for Cooking and Eating or Living Areas. The pad for the cooking and eating or living area is 600 square feet (20 feet by 30 feet). The projects used a variety of materials to provide a firm and stable surface for the pads, including soil stabilizer and crushed stone fines. The costs for the materials ranged from less than $1 per square foot to $5 per square foot. The model uses the middle of the range ($2.50). The cost for a firm and stable pad for the cooking and eating or living area is $1,500.

Baselines

As discussed in Chapter 1, the Access Board used two baselines for this regulatory assessment. The first baseline assesses the costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices. The second baseline assesses the costs associated with the guidelines if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise.

Additional Annual Project Costs Associated with Guidelines

Based on the model, the additional annual costs for camping and picnic area projects associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices are shown in Table 2.22 and range from $0.2 million to $0.4 million.

Table 2.22 � Additional Annual Project Costs Associated with Baseline 1: Guidelines Compared to Agencies' Current Accessibility Policies and Practices

The additional annual costs for camping and picnic area projects associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas if accessibility were not required and the Federal land management’s agencies’ projects do not include any accessible designs are shown in Table 2.23 and range from $0.9 million to $1.2 million.

Table 2.23 � Additional Annual Project Costs Associated with Baseline 2: Accessibility Not Required by Access Board or Otherwise

Limitations

The model has the following limitations that may result in overestimating or underestimating the costs:

• The number of camping and picnic area projects funded each year that include the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the guidelines will vary each year. To reliably predict the number of projects funded each year would require an analysis of hundreds of projects over several years.
• The majority of projects (67 percent) funded in FY 2004 were alterations to existing camping and picnic areas, and not new construction. Many of these projects only replaced the picnic tables, fire rings or pedestal grills, and did not involve any alterations to the ground surface. The guidelines do not require firm and stable ground surfaces to be provided where elements in existing facilities are replaced and the ground surface is not altered. Modeling costs on new construction is simpler, but overestimates the costs for alterations.
• The model assumes camping areas have between 26 and 50 camping spaces because 43 percent of the camping projects reviewed were in that size range. Another 43 percent of the camping projects reviewed have 25 or fewer camping spaces. The guidelines require camping areas with 25 or fewer camping spaces to provide one less accessible camping space, which would reduce the additional costs associated with the guidelines by $4,700 per project. Thirteen percent of the camping projects reviewed have more than 50 camp spaces, and the guidelines require these larger camping areas to provide additional accessible camping spaces.
• The model assumes picnic areas have 10 or fewer picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills because 62 percent of the picnic projects reviewed were in that size range. The other 32 percent of the picnic projects have more than 11 picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills, and the guidelines require these larger picnic areas to provide additional accessible picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills.
• The model assumes that the native surface in the camping and picnic areas is not firm and stable. Some camping and picnic areas have native surfaces that are firm and stable. Other projects construct firm and stable pads for cooking and eating or living areas in camping and picnic areas for customer convenience, resource protection, or sustainability, and the costs for the pads should not be associated with the guidelines. If pad costs are not associated with the guidelines, the project costs are reduced by $4,500 for the camping projects, and $7,500 for the picnic area projects.

CHAPTER 3: TRAILS

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Trail Projects Covered by Guidelines
3.3 Technical Provisions and Exceptions for Accessible Trails
3.4 Review of Trail Projects
3.5 Costs

3.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the provisions in the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas that apply to the construction and alteration of trails.

3.2 Trail Projects Covered By Guidelines

The trail miles managed by the Federal land management agencies are shown in Table 3.1.[76]

Table 3.1 � Trail Miles Managed by Federal Agencies

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas cover projects involving the construction of new trails and the alteration of existing trails that are designated for pedestrian use, and that connect to a designated trailhead or an accessible trail.[77] The guidelines distinguish between “maintenance and repair” and an “alteration” with regard to existing trails.[78] Maintenance and repair are work performed to return a trail to the condition or standard to which it was originally designed or built. Examples of maintenance and repair include clearing trails of encroaching brush and grasses; filling ruts; installing drainage structures to prevent erosion of the trail tread; and constructing retaining walls to support the trail tread. An alteration is work performed to change the original purpose, intent, or design of a trail. Examples of an alteration include changing the grade, width, or tread surface of a significant portion of an existing trail. Only projects that involve an alteration of existing trails are covered by the guidelines.

The Federal land management agencies spend a small portion of their capital improvement funds on the construction or alteration of trails covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. The Forest Service reported in its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG that $35 million was spent in FY 2005 to improve 1,378 trail miles in the National Forest System, and estimated that 28 to 30 of these trail miles, or 2 percent of the total, are designated hiker/pedestrian trails and connect to a designated trail head or an accessible trail.[79]

The Access Board requested data from the other Federal land management agencies on trail projects funded in FY 2004 involving the construction or alteration of trails that are designated hiker/pedestrian trails and connect to a designated trail head or an accessible trail. The data provided by the other Federal land management agencies is presented in Table 3.2.[80]

Table 3.2 � FY 2004 Trail Projects Covered by Guidelines

The Access Board reviewed 26 trail projects for this regulatory assessment involving the construction or alteration of trails covered by the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas, as shown in Table 3.3.[81]

Table 3.3 � Trail Projects Reviewed for Regulatory Assessment

3.3 Technical Provisions and Exceptions for Accessible Trails

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas contain technical provisions for accessible trails. The technical provisions are summarized in Table 3.4. There are specific exceptions to the technical provisions where compliance with a provision would result in any of the following conditions:

• Cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics;
• Substantially alter the nature of the setting or the purpose of the facility, or portion of the facility;
• Require construction methods or materials that are prohibited by Federal, state or local law; or
• Not be feasible due to terrain or prevailing construction practices.

A specific exception to a technical provision does not require compliance with the technical provision only where the condition for the exception exists. For example, where compliance with the technical provision for clear tread width would cause substantial harm to a significant natural feature, the trail would be required to comply with the technical provision for clear thread width before and after the significant natural feature; and the trail would have to comply with all the other technical provisions, unless specific exceptions also apply to the other technical provisions.

Table 3.4 � Technical Provisions for Accessible Trails and Specific Exceptions

Where applying the specific exceptions to the technical provisions would result in any of the following conditions, a general exception exempts the trail from having to comply with any of the provisions beyond the first point where the specific exceptions apply:

• Combination of running slope and cross slope exceeds 40 percent for over 20 feet;
• Trail obstacle 30 inches high or more runs across the full tread width;
• Trail surface is not firm and stable for 45 feet or more;
• Tread width is less than 12 inches wide for a distance of 20 feet or more; or
• Trail is not required to comply with any of the technical provisions for more than15 percent of the trail.[82]

3.4 Review of Trail Projects

The 26 trail projects that were reviewed for this regulatory assessment were requested to provide data on the projects using the form in Appendix C. The responses from the projects are summarized in Appendix D. Thirteen (13) projects constructed new trails only; 10 projects altered existing trails only; and 3 projects both constructed new trails and altered existing trails. The projects ranged in size from altering an existing 150 feet trail segment to a prominent feature, to constructing a new 6 mile trail. Approximately half the trails (12 projects) were one-half mile or less. The projects ranged in cost from a low of $12,177 plus volunteer labor to alter 1.3 miles of existing trail and construct 0.7 miles of new trail, to a high of $800,000 to construct a new trailhead and 0.5 miles of new trail. Approximately half the projects (12 projects) cost less than $100,000.

All but one project met all the technical provisions for accessible trails or applied the specific exceptions for certain technical provisions. A Bureau of Reclamation project that involved the construction of 6 miles of new trail did not meet the technical provisions for running slope and resting intervals, and did not indicate whether any conditions existed for applying specific exceptions to the technical provisions. A total of 6 projects applied the specific exceptions to the technical provisions as shown in Table 3.5, and cited one or more of the conditions for the exceptions.[83]

Table 3.5 � Specific Exceptions to Technical Provisions

The most commonly cited condition for the exceptions (5 projects) was that compliance with the technical provision would not be feasible due to terrain or prevailing construction practices. Two projects cited the condition that compliance with the technical provision would cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics. One project cited the condition that compliance with the technical provision would substantially alter the nature of the setting or the purpose of the facility, or portion of the facility.

One project applied the general exception exempting a trail from all the technical provisions because the specific exceptions to the technical provisions would result in more than 15 percent of the trail not complying with any of the technical provisions.
A variety of materials were used to provide firm and stable trail surfaces. Thirteen (13) projects constructed or replaced wooden boardwalks or bridges over wet or muddy land for all or part of the trails. The other trail surface materials included native soils, crushed and compacted stone, asphalt, and concrete. Eighty-five (85) percent of the projects (22 projects) responded that, if accessibility were not required, the trails would still have been constructed with firm and stable surfaces. Fifty-four (54) percent of the projects (14 projects) responded that, if accessibility were not required, the trails would still have been constructed with 3 feet minimum clear tread width. The Federal land management agencies reported that trails that connect to a designated trailhead generally receive heavier use and are constructed with firm and stable surfaces, wider tread widths, and gentler slopes for resource protection and sustainability.

3.5 Costs

Trail design and construction costs are very site specific. The costs will vary depending on the length of the trail; the terrain or landform the trail will be traversing (e.g., elevation changes, water seeps or springs, rock croppings, protected areas); the type and number of structures needed to sustain the trail (e.g., retaining walls, bridges, drain lenses, puncheons); the tools and equipment used (e.g., hand tools, power tools, mechanized equipment); materials (e.g., native materials, imported materials); and labor resources. An accessible trail generally will cost more than a non-accessible trail. The features that will generally add costs to an accessible trail include tread width; slopes, especially if it results in lengthening the trail; and firm and stable surfaces. However, some trails are designed and constructed with wider tread ways, gentler slopes, and firm and stable surfaces for sustainability and other reasons not associated with accessibility, especially trails that connect to designated trail heads and are visited more frequently by the public. The project reviews showed that 54 percent of the trails would have been constructed with 3 feet minimum clear tread width if accessibility were not required, and that 85 percent of the trails would have been constructed with firm and stable surfaces if accessibility were not required. Thus, it is not possible to estimate specific additional costs associated with accessibility for all trail projects.

For this regulatory assessment, the Access Board used a model that assumes the number of projects funded annually by Federal land management agencies for the construction and alteration of trails that are designated for pedestrian use and that connect to a designated trailhead or another accessible trail is the same as in FY 2004. The model further assumes that the trails are one-half mile or less; that the projects cost less than $100,000; and that the additional costs associated with accessibility are approximately 20 percent or $20,000. The first two assumptions are based on the majority of projects reviewed in FY 2004, and may not be true for all future years. The last assumption is a reasonable estimate based on the fact that some projects will be constructed with wider tread ways, gentler slopes, or firm and stable surfaces for reasons not associated with accessibility, and that the conditions for applying specific exceptions to the technical provisions will not result in disproportionately higher costs.

As discussed in Chapter 1, the Access Board used two baselines for this regulatory assessment. The first baseline assesses the costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices. The second baseline assesses the costs associated with the guidelines if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise.

Based on the model, the additional annual costs for trail projects associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices are shown in Table 3.6 and range from $0.2 million to $0.5 million.

Table 3.6 � Additional Annual Costs for Projects Associated with Baseline 1: Guidelines Compared to Agencies' Current Accessibility Policies and Practices

The additional annual costs for trail projects associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise are shown in Table 2.23 and range from $0.9 million to $1.2 million.

Table 3.6 � Additional Annual Costs for Projects Associated with Baseline 2: Accessibility Not Required by Access Board or Otherwise

CHAPTER 4: OTHER OUTDOOR DEVELOPED AREAS

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Beach Access Routes
4.3 Outdoor Rinsing Showers
4.4 Designated Viewing Areas
4.5 Warming Huts
4.6 Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
4.7 Storage Facilities for Mobility Devices
4.8 Pit Toilets
4.9 Costs

4.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the provisions in the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas that apply to the construction and alteration of beach access routes, outdoor rinsing showers, designated viewing areas, warming huts, wood stoves and fireplaces, storage facilities for mobility devices, and pit toilets.

Where the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas are expected to add costs to the construction or alteration any of the outdoor developed areas described in this chapter, the Access Board requested the Federal land management agencies to identify construction and alteration projects funded in FY 2004 that involved work on the outdoor developed areas. Their responses are discussed in this chapter.

4.2 Beach Access Routes

A beach access route is a pedestrian path that crosses the beach and extends to the water. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require a beach access route to be provided when a new beach is constructed.[85] At existing beaches, the guidelines require a beach access route to be provided when a new pedestrian route is constructed from a developed site to, or along the edge of, the beach.[86] At existing beaches, the beach access route can be a permanent or temporary surface.[87] Products for providing beach access routes are commercially available, and range in cost from $2.25 to $10.00 per square foot.[88] The Federal land management agencies did not identify any projects in FY 2004 that involved the construction of new beaches, or the construction of new pedestrian routes at existing beaches.

4.3 Outdoor Rinsing Showers

Outdoor rinsing showers are generally provided at beaches to rinse off sand. They may also be provided at campgrounds. Outdoor rinsing showers are not intended for bathing, and can be open or have walls. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require outdoor rinsing showers to have clear space for a wheelchair, a grab bar, and two spray heads.[89] The guidelines also require that the operable parts be within reach ranges and meet certain operation requirements. The Forest Service identified two projects that involved the construction of outdoor rinsing showers. A project funded by the Forest Service in FY 2002 to reconstruct a campground in the Apalachicola National Forest included the installation of an outdoor rinsing shower that met the guidelines. The Forest Service reported that the accessible unit cost $600 more than an inaccessible unit. A project funded by the Forest Service in FY 2003 to reconstruct a picnic and day use area in the Shawnee National Forest included the installation of a combination shower tower and drinking fountain costing $4,000 that met the guidelines.

4.4 Designated Viewing Areas

Designated viewing areas are areas that are designed and constructed to provide an unobstructed view of a mountain range, vista or other point of interest. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require designated viewing areas to have a wheelchair turning space and to design safety barriers and guardrails so as to provide unobstructed viewing opportunities for persons seated in a wheelchair and persons of short stature.[90] The guidelines also require at least 20 percent of new telescopes and periscopes installed at a designated viewing area to have clear space for a wheelchair and to be usable from a seated position.[91] Where only one telescope or periscope is provided, the guidelines require that it also be usable from a standing position. The guidelines also require that the operable parts be within reach ranges and meet certain operation requirements. The guidelines are not expected to increase the cost of constructing or altering designated viewing areas.

4.5 Warming Huts

Warming huts are enclosed spaces used for temporary protection from the weather. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require warming huts to have a wheelchair turning space.[92] The guidelines also require warming huts that have doors to comply with the technical provisions for doors. The guidelines are not expected to increase the cost of constructing or altering warming huts.

4.6 Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require wood stoves and fireplaces to have clear space for a wheelchair, and the operable parts to be within reach ranges and meet certain operation requirements.[93] The guidelines are not expected to increase the cost of constructing or altering wood stoves or fireplaces.

4.7 Storage Facilities for Mobility Devices

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require facilities such as ski areas, where persons who use wheelchairs transfer from one type of mobility device to another type of mobility device (e.g., from a wheelchair to adaptive ski equipment), to provide at least one storage facility for mobility devices.[94] The guidelines also require the operable parts of the storage facilities to be within reach ranges and meet certain operation requirements. Storage facilities for mobility devices cost $875.[95] The Federal land management agencies did not identify any projects in FY 2004 that involved the construction of storage facilities at new ski areas, or the alteration of storage facilities at existing ski areas.

4.8 Pit Toilets

Pit toilets are holes that are dug in the ground and covered by a toilet bench. They are usually located in remote areas. Pit toilets can be open or have walls. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require pit toilets to have clear space for a wheelchair, and the toilet bench seat to be 17 inches minimum and 19 inches maximum above the ground or floor.[96] The guidelines also require pit toilets that have walls to provide grab bars. The guidelines will increase the cost of constructing and altering pit toilets that have walls due to the additional wall space needed to provide clear space for a wheelchair and the grab bars. The Federal land management agencies did not have information available on the number of pit toilets with walls that were constructed or altered on Federal lands in FY 2004, but the number is expected to be small.

4.9 Costs

The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas are not expected to increase the cost of constructing or altering designated viewing areas, warming huts, or wood stoves and fireplaces. The provisions for beach access routes will add some costs to construction and alteration projects for beaches. However, the Federal land management agencies did not identify any projects funded in FY 2004 that included the construction of new beaches or the construction of new pedestrian routes at existing beaches, and it is likely that such projects will be rare. The provisions for outdoor rinsing showers and storage facilities for mobility devices will add less than $1,000 to project costs. Only the Forest Service identified two projects funded in FY 2004 that included the construction of outdoor rinsing showers. The other Federal land management agencies did not have data on projects that included the construction of outdoor rinsing showers or storage facilities for mobility devices. Nor did the Federal land management agencies have any data available on projects that included the construction or alteration of pit toilets with walls.

As discussed in Chapter 1, the Access Board used two baselines for this regulatory assessment. The first baseline assesses the costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas compared to the Federal land management agencies current accessibility policies and practices. The second baseline assesses the costs associated with the guidelines if accessibility were not required by the Access Board or otherwise.

The Forest Service will not incur any additional costs associated with the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas for the other elements and spaces discussed in this chapter using the first baseline because all its new construction and alteration projects are required to use FSORAG, which generally meets or exceeds the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. Since the other Federal land management agencies either did not identify any projects funded in FY 2004 that included the construction or alteration of the other elements and spaces discussed in this chapter or did not have any data available on such projects, the Access Board did not develop a model based on specific assumptions for estimating the additional costs for such projects associated with the guidelines. Rather, the Access Board assumed that in the case of the other Federal land management agencies that under both the first baseline and the second baselines the additional annual costs associated with the guidelines for the other elements and spaces discussed in this chapter will range from $0 to $50,000 for each agency. The Access Board also assumed in the case of the Forest Service that under the second baseline the additional annual costs associated with the guidelines for the other elements and spaces discussed in this chapter will range from $0 to $50,000.[97]

NOTES

[1] 42 U.S.C. § 4151 (1). In addition to facilities constructed or altered by Federal agencies, the Architectural Barriers Act covers facilities leased by Federal agencies; facilities financed by a Federal grant or loan, if the facilities are subject to design standards issued under the law authorizing the grant or loan; and facilities constructed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 42 U.S.C. § 4151 (2) - (4). The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas do not apply to these other facilities.

[2] 29 U.S.C. § 792 (b) (3).

[3] The Architectural Barriers Act requires the General Services Administration to prescribe accessibility standards for facilities covered by the Architectural Barriers Act, except for Department of Defense and certain other facilities. 42 U.S.C. § 4152. The Architectural Barriers Act requires the Department of Defense to prescribe accessibility standards for its facilities, including Army Corps of Engineers facilities. 42 U.S.C. § 4153.

[4] The number of acres and annual visits on the Forest Service lands is from USDA Forest Service, Recreation Quick Facts (http://www.fs.fed.us.recreation/programs/facts/facts_sheet.shtml ). The number of acres and annual visits on the Department of the Interior lands is from information provided by the agencies and DOI Quick Facts (http://mits.doi.gov/quickfacts/tables_all.cfm ). The number of acres and annual visits on the Army Corps of Engineers' lands is from Corps National Camping Facilities (http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/employees/recreation/pdfs/NationalMatrix05.pdf ).

[5] 36 CFR Part 1191. ABAAG is available on the Access Board website at: http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba.gov . The General Services Administration has adopted ABAAG as the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) for facilities subject to its authority. 41 CFR § 102-76.60. The Department of Defense plans to adopt ABAAG in July 2007 as the accessibility standard for facilities subject to its authority.

[6] Regulatory negotiation is a supplemental rulemaking process that involves negotiation among various interest groups and the agency to reach consensus on a rule.

[7] The other organization that participated in the regulatory negotiation included the American Society of Landscape Architects; American Camping Association; American Trails; Appalachian Trail Conservancy; Association of Blind Athletes; Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; Hawaii Commission on Persons with Disabilities; KOA. Inc.; National State Park Directors; National Association of State Trail Administrators; National Center on Accessibility; National Council on Independent Living; National Park and Recreation Association; National Spinal Cord Injury Association; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Paralyzed Veterans of America; Partners for Access to the Woods; Rails to Trails Conservancy; State of Washington, Interagency Committee on Outdoor Recreation; TASH; and Whole Access.

[8] The regulatory negotiation committee's report, �Recommendations for Accessibility Guidelines: Outdoor Developed Areas,� is available on the Access Board website at: http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor-rec-rpt.htm . The Access Board reformatted the regulatory negotiation committee's report for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to be consistent with ABAAG's format.

[9] The Americans with Disabilities Act requires facilities constructed or altered by state and local governments, and places of public accommodation and commercial facilities constructed or altered by private entities to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12132, 12134, and 12183. The Access Board is required to establish minimum accessibility guidelines for facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 29 U.S.C. § 792 (b) (3) and 42 U.S.C. § 12204.

[10] The Access Board will conduct a separate rulemaking in the future to issue accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas constructed or altered by state and local governments and private entities under the Americans with Disabilities Act when sufficient information is available to prepare a regulatory assessment of the impacts of the guidelines on those entities.

[11] The Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (PL 95-602) amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service, and to require the head of each agency to promulgate regulations to carry out the amendments. Each of the Federal land management agencies has issued regulations pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that require their newly constructed or altered facilities to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. See: 7 CFR § 15e.151 (Department of Agriculture); 32 CFR § 56.8 (c) (3) (Department of Defense); and 43 CFR § 17.551 (Department of Interior). The Federal land management agencies have issued a series of directives and memoranda to their personnel beginning in the 1980's through the present emphasizing their obligation under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to make their outdoor recreation facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. The directives and memoranda are too numerous to reference in this note, but are available on file at the Access Board.

[12] UFAS was adopted as the accessibility standard for Federal facilities in 1984. 49 FR 31528, August 7, 1984 .

[13] The practice of using the ANSI standard to design accessible outdoor recreation facilities was illustrated in �A Guide to Designing Accessible Outdoor Recreation Facilities� published by the Department of the Interior in 1980. The publication is available in the Access Board's library.

[14] The provisions for designing accessible camping and picnic areas and trails were published in DESIGN, Summer 1989, �Access to Outdoor Recreation Trails� and DESIGN, Fall 1989, �Accessible Picnic Areas and Campgrounds.� DESIGN is a quarterly publication of the National Park Service, Park Practice Program. The publications are available in the Access Board's library.

[15] The design guide is available in the Access Board's library.

[16] FSORAG and FSTAG are available on the Forest Service's website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/ .

[17] The amendments to the Forest Service Manual are available on the Forest Service's website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/ .

[18] The National Center on Accessibility's best practices bulletins are available on its website at: http://www.ncaonline.org/monographs/index.shtml .

[19] The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� are available on its website at: http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-400/toc.htm .

[20] The Army Corps of Engineer's accessibility policies, including best practices for accessible design, are on its website at: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/employees/access/access.html .

[21] As discussed in the subsequent chapters, the Access Board reviewed a sample of the Federal land management agencies' construction and alteration projects. The review showed the percentage of the Department of the Interior projects that met or exceeded the guidelines were as follows: recreational vehicle parking areas 44 percent (4 of 9 projects); picnic tables 70 percent (17 of 24 projects); tent pads 71 percent (5 of 7 projects); pedestal grills 75 percent (9 of 12 projects); fire rings 80 percent (12 of 15 projects); trails 94 percent (17 of 18 projects); and outdoor recreation access routes 100 percent (15 of 15 projects).

[22] The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� require recreational vehicle parking areas to be at least 12 feet wide, and the guidelines require recreational vehicle parking areas to be at least 20 feet wide at accessible camping spaces.

[23] As discussed in the subsequent chapters, the Access Board reviewed a sample of the Federal land management agencies' construction and alteration projects. The review showed that 60 percent of the Army Corps of Engineers projects (3 of 5 projects) provided recreational vehicle parking areas at least 20 feet wide at accessible camping spaces, and that 100 percent of the Army Corps of Engineers projects (4 of 4 projects) met the guidelines for trails.

[24] The Access Board also requested the Federal land management agencies to provide data on other outdoor developed areas projects. As discussed in Chapter 4, the agencies reported that they did not fund any other outdoor developed areas projects that included elements and spaces covered by the guidelines for or that data was not available.

[25] The Forest Service's regulatory assessment is available on its website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/ .

[26] The Federal land management agencies selected the projects reviewed by the Access Board. The Access Board requested the agencies to select at least one project from each of their regions, where applicable; and to pick projects that represent diverse settings and terrains. The projects were either funded in FY 2004, or were funded in a prior fiscal year but the work was completed in FY 2004. The Forest Service selected projects that were reviewed in its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG. The Forest Service requested that a camping and picnic area project at the White Mountain National Forest , which was reviewed in its regulatory assessment, not be included in this regulatory assessment because there were significant personnel changes at the White Mountain National Forest and it would be difficult to provide additional information about the project. Nine of the trail projects reviewed in the Forest Service's regulatory assessment involved only maintenance and repair work, and are not included in this regulatory assessment because the guidelines do not apply to maintenance and repair work. Another trail project in the Santa Fe National Forest reviewed in the Forest Service's regulatory assessment is not included in this regulatory assessment because the trail did not connect to a designated trail head or an accessible trail, and is not covered by the guidelines. The review included all the camping and picnic area projects funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation in FY 2004 that included the construction or alteration of elements and spaces covered by the guidelines.

[27] The Forest Service's additional annual costs for camping and picnic area and trail projects are from its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG. The Forest Service used a different methodology in its regulatory assessment than the Access Board used in this regulatory assessment. The differences between the methodologies are discussed in the subsequent chapters.

[28] Under Executive Order 12866, �economically significant� regulatory actions generally are actions that have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.

[29] U.S. Census Bureau, Americans With Disabilities: 2002 (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/sipp/disab02/awd02.html ).

[30] The number of camping and picnic areas provided by the Forest Service is from USDA Forest Service, Recreation Quick Facts (http://www.fs.fed.us.recreation/programs/facts/facts_sheet.shtml ). The number of camping and picnic areas provided by the National Park Service data is from its Asset Management System. The number of camping areas provided by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation is from DOI Quick Facts (http://mits.doi.gov/quickfacts/tables_all.cfm ). The number of camping areas provided by the Army Corps of Engineers is from Corps National Camping Facilities (http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/employees/recreation/pdfs/NationalMatrix05.pdf ).

[31] The number of projects and total project costs for the National Park Service is from its Project Management Information System (PMIS). Camping and picnic area projects that are smaller components of larger park wide projects, or are part of annual cyclical maintenance programs, or are funded through external fund raising may not be identified through the PMIS. The number of projects and total project costs for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers are from information provided by their regional and field offices in response to data calls.

[32] Additional information on selection of the projects is provided in note 26.

[33] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T218.2.

[34] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T206.2, T207.2, and T208.2.

[35] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T202.3.

[36] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T206.4 and T306.2.

[37] Federal Supply Group 78, Category 192 37B, Park and Recreational Tables, Benches, Outdoor Pool and Patio Furniture and Bleachers (http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/SinDetails ). The Access Board did not attempt to verify whether the picnic tables actually meet the accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas.

[38] As for the other 18 projects, 7 projects did not identify the manufacturers; 6 projects provided picnic tables from manufacturers that are not on the Federal Supply Schedule; and 5 projects provided custom made picnic tables. Some of the projects were contracted out and the contractors may not have used the Federal Supply Schedule.

[39] The costs do not include shipping and assembly. There is no difference in shipping costs and assembly time for accessible and non-accessible designs of the same type picnic table. The cost for an 8 foot long picnic table ranges from $296 to $931 for the non-accessible design, and from $366 to $1001 for the accessible design (or $70 additional cost for the accessible design compared to the non-accessible design made from the same materials) in the same manufacturer's catalogue in July 2006.

[40] The Forest Service projects provided only accessible picnic tables, but seven of the Forest Service projects also reported cost information for comparable models of non-accessible picnic tables for cost comparison. The Forest Service requested that cost information for the comparable model non-accessible picnic tables reported by Shawnee National Forest not be included in Table 2.7 because the accessible picnic tables provided as part the picnic area project included site preparation and installation costs, and the cost information reported for the comparable model non-accessible picnic tables did not include site preparation and installation costs.

[41] The two National Park Service projects, the Bureau of Land Management project, and the Bureau of Reclamation project were picnic area projects. At least 50 percent of the picnic tables provided in picnic areas must be accessible.

[42] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T307.3 and T308.3. The operable parts on fire rings are required to be within reach ranges and meet technical provisions for operable parts.

[43] Federal Supply Group 78, Category 192 371, Park and Playground Equipment (http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/SinDetails ).

[44] The same fire rings cost $120 for the non-accessible design and $195 for the accessible design (or $75 additional cost for the accessible design compared to the non-accessible design) in the manufacturer's catalogue in July 2006. The fire rings have a single wall and single level cooking grate. A heat shield option is available on the accessible fire ring for $48. The fire rings are also available in other diameters and heights.

[45] Some manufacturers make non-accessible fire rings only with a single wall and accessible fire rings only with a dual wall, and the additional costs for accessible fire rings made by these manufacturers are on the high end of range.

[46] The Forest Service projects provided only accessible fire rings, but seven of the Forest Service projects also reported cost information for comparable models of non-accessible fire rings for cost comparison. The Wasatch-Cache National Forest reported that accessible fire rings cost $300 more than non-accessible fire rings. This figure is not included the last column of Table 2.10 to be consistent with the regulatory assessment prepared by the Forest Service for FSORAG and FSTAG. The Wasatch-Cache National Forest prefers accessible fire rings over the non-accessible fire rings because accessible fire rings offer other external benefits, including increased facility for children and the elderly. The next highest range of additional costs for accessible fire rings, which is $120 as reported by Gallatin National Forest , is used in the last column of Table 2.10.

[47] The National Park Service project replaced 200 fire rings in a camping area, and provided only 2 accessible fire rings. At least 8 accessible fire rings must be provided in camping areas with 200 camping spaces.

[48] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T308.3.

[49] Three Forest Service projects and a Bureau of Land Management project reported additional costs ranging from $5 to $100 for accessible pedestal grills.

[50] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T209.1 and T309.3.

[51] One Forest Service project reported $30 additional costs for accessible trash containers.

[52] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T217.1, T317.3, and T317.4.

[53] Two Forest Service Projects reported additional costs of $350 and $700 for water hydrant spouts. The spout that cost an additional $700 has an automatic shut-off. The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas do not require an automatic shut-off.

[54] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T217.1and T317.4.

[55] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T213.2, T313.3, T313.4, and T313.5.

[56] The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas require accessible camping spaces to be identified by signs. Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T222 and T322. Signs are not required where all the camping spaces are accessible, or where the spaces are assigned upon arrival or through a reservation system. The Federal land management agencies have established reservation systems for their camping areas as part of the E-government initiative, and would not be required to provide signs at accessible camping spaces. Information on the Federal land management agencies' reservations systems is available on the web at: http://www.recreation.gov/reservinf.jsp .

[57] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T218.2.

[58] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T202.3.

[59] The number of accessible camping spaces required in an alteration is based on the total number of camping spaces in the camping area, and not the number of camping spaces altered. The example assumes that none of the camping spaces in the camping area were accessible prior to the alteration. If 3 of the camping spaces were accessible prior to the alteration, none of the altered camping spaces are required to be accessible because the total number of accessible camping spaces required for new construction (i.e., 3 accessible camping spaces in a camping area with 30 camping spaces) was met.

[60]The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� (http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-400/toc.htm ) require recreational vehicle parking areas to be at least 12 feet wide and 70 feet long to accommodate a trailer plus a towing vehicle such as a car or truck. The Bureau of Reclamation �Recreation Facility Design Guidelines� (www.usbr.gov/pmts/architecture/recfac/) provide for recreational vehicle parking areas to be at least 14 feet wide and 60 feet long. The Army Corps of Engineers standards and Bureau of Reclamation guidelines recommend that recreational vehicle parking areas have hardened surfaces for public convenience and ease of maintenance.

[61] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T318.2.1. Accessible recreational vehicle parking areas are required to meet technical provisions for slope.

[62] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T218.2.1 Exception and T318.2.2.

[63] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T218.3 and T318.2.3. Accessible parking spaces and access aisles in general parking areas are required to have a firm and stable surface and meet technical provisions for slope.

[64] The Forest Service project provided one 20 feet wide and nine 16 feet wide recreational vehicle parking areas. The National Park Service project provided thirty 16 feet wide recreational vehicle parking areas. The Bureau of Reclamation project provided one 16 feet wide recreational vehicle parking area. One Army Corps of Engineers project provided 12 feet wide recreational vehicle parking areas. The other Army Corps of Engineers project did not provide any information about the width of the recreational vehicle parking areas.

[65] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T318.3. Accessible tent pads and tent platforms and the surrounding clear space are required to have a firm and stable ground surface and meet technical provisions for slope. Accessible tent platforms are also required to have edge protection and a means to access the tent platforms.

[66] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T204 and T304. Outdoor recreation access routes are required to have a firm and stable ground surface and meet technical provisions for clear tread width, openings, obstacles, passing space, cross slope and running slope, resting intervals, edge protection, and protruding objects.

[67] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T204.2, Exception 2.

[68] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T202.3.

[69] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T202.3 Exception, T306.2, T306.3, T 306.4, T307.2, T308.2, T309.2, T313.2, T317.2. The minimum size of the clear spaces vary from 30 inches by 48 inches at accessible trash containers, benches, utilities, and wheelchair spaces at picnic tables; 48 inches by 48 inches at accessible fire rings and pedestal grills; 60 inches by 60 inches at accessible water hydrant spouts; and 3 feet wide around accessible picnic tables. The clear spaces are also required to meet technical provisions for slope.

[70] Many projects provided pads in all the camping spaces and picnic sites for public convenience and ease of maintenance. The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� (http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-400/toc.htm ) require all campsites to have pads that are up to 625 square feet. The Bureau of Reclamation Recreation �Facility Design Guidelines� (www.usbr.gov/pmts/architecture/recfac/ provide for all campsites to have pads that are 650 square feet.

[71] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T304.x.

[72] Many projects provided firm and stable ground surfaces at all the tent pads for public convenience and ease of maintenance. The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� (http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-400/toc.htm ) require all tent pads to have firm and stable ground surfaces such as crushed stone screenings for a durable all-weather surface. The Bureau of Reclamation �Recreation Facility Design Guidelines� (www.usbr.gov/pmts/architecture/recfac/ ) provide for all tent pads to have firm and stable ground surfaces.

[73] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T318.3.2.

[74] Many projects provided routes with firm and stable ground surfaces for public convenience and ease of maintenance. The Army Corps of Engineers �Recreation Facility and Customer Service Standards� (http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-400/toc.htm ) require all campsites to provide routes with firm and stable ground surfaces to the pads where the picnic tables, fire rings and pedestal grills are located.

[75] The Forest Service's additional annual costs for camping and picnic area projects are from its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG. The Forest Service used a different methodology in its regulatory assessment than the Access Board used in this regulatory assessment. The Forest Service asked the personnel who worked on the 13 projects reviewed for its regulatory assessment whether accessible designs would be used in the absence of accessibility requirements. The Forest Service personnel from 7 projects responded that accessible designs would be used for all the elements and spaces in project in the absence of accessibility requirements because the public prefers accessible designs or there were other reasons for using accessible designs. The Forest Service personnel from the other 6 projects responded that accessible designs would be used for only some of the elements and spaces in the project in the absence of accessibility requirements because the public prefers accessible designs or there were other reasons for using accessible designs. The Forest Service estimated the percentage increase in the project costs for accessible designs used solely to meet accessibility requirements to range from 0 percent to 4.7 percent. The Forest Service reported that it expended $6.9 million in FY 2003 on camping and picnic projects that would be subject to FSORAG, and multiplied this expenditure by 0 percent and 4.7 percent to estimate the lower and upper range of additional annual costs associated with FSORAG if accessibility were not required.

[76] The Forest Service trail miles are based on in its Infra System as of May 2006. Not all units completed reporting to the data base. The Forest Service extrapolated the data nationwide. The National Park Service trail miles are based on its Facility Management Software System as of July 2006.

[77] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T104.4, T201.1, T202.3, and T203.1.

[78] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T104.1 and T202.3, and Advisory T202.3.

[79] The Forest Service extrapolated from the proportion of hiker/pedestrian trail miles to total trail miles on its lands that 254 to 267 of the trail miles improved in FY 2005 are designated hiker/pedestrian trails. The Forest Service further extrapolated from a review of trail projects funded in FY 2003 at 13 national forests and a national scenic trail that 28 to 30 of the estimated 254 to 267 hiker/pedestrian trail miles improved in FY 2005 connect to a designated trailhead or an accessible trail.

[80] The number of projects and total project costs for the National Park Service is from its Project Management Information System (PMIS). Trail projects that are funded through external fund raising, or constructed or altered by volunteer organizations may not be identified through the PMIS. The number of projects and total project costs for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers are from information provided by their regional and field offices in response to data calls.

[81] Additional information on selection of the projects is provided in note 26.

[82] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T303.2. The segment of the trail between the trailhead and the first point where the specific exceptions apply is exempt from the technical provisions if the trail segment is 500 feet or less in distance, unless there is a prominent feature on the trail segment in which case the segment of the trail between the trailhead and the prominent feature must comply with the technical provisions.

[83] Three projects claimed a specific exception for the technical provision for edge protection. There is no specific exception for edge protection. The technical provision for edge protection only applies where edge protection is provided. The persons completing the data form may not have understood the application of the technical provision for edge protection, and claimed a specific exception where no edge protection was provided.

[84] The Forest Service's additional annual costs for trail projects are from its regulatory assessment for FSORAG and FSTAG. The Forest Service used a different methodology in its regulatory assessment than the Access Board used in this regulatory assessment. The Forest Service improved 1,378 trail miles in FY 2005. The Forest Service extrapolated from its total trail miles and trail miles designated for hiker/pedestrian use that 28 to 30 of the improved trail miles would be subject to FSTAG. The Forest Service further extrapolated from a review of 5 trail construction projects funded in FY 2003 that 20 percent of the 28 to 30 trail miles improved in FY 2005 that would be subject to FSTAG would incur additional costs associated with FSTAG and that the additional costs per mile for accessible design would be $29,700.

[85] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T205 and T305. Beach access routes are required to meet technical provisions for openings, obstacles, passing space, turning space, cross slope and running slope, edge protection, and protruding objects.

[86] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T205.3.

[87] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, section T205.3, Exception 1.

[88] Information on beach access route products is available on the National Center on Accessibility website: http://www.ncaonline.org/products/index.php4?cat=Beach%20Surfaces .

[89] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T220 and T320. On post mounted showers, a vertical or circular grab bar must be affixed to the post. On wall mounted showers, a horizontal grab bar must be affixed to the wall. One spray head must be located between 48 inches and 54 inches above the ground or floor, and the other spray head must be located at least 72 inches above the ground or floor.

[90] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T211 and T311.

[91] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T212 and T312.

[92] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T219, T319, and T408.

[93] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T210 and T310.

[94] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T215 and T315.

[95] American Bicycle Security Company, Wheel Chair Security Locker, Model 201CW. Information on the locker is available on the web at: http://www.ameribike.com/catalog/bike/200-series/200.html .

[96] Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Guidelines, sections T216, T316, and T409.

[97] The Forest Service did not address in its regulatory assessment of FSORAG and FSTAG the additional costs associated with FSORAG for the other elements and spaces discussed in this chapter in the absence of accessibility requirements.

APPENDIX A: CAMPING AND PICNIC AREA PROJECTS DATA REQUEST

FY 2004 Camping and Picnic Area Projects

The Access Board is collecting information on camping and picnic area construction and alteration projects undertaken by Federal agencies in FY 2004 as part of a regulatory assessment of the costs and benefits of proposed accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. This form is divided into five parts:

• Part 1 collects general information about the projects.

• Part 2 collects information on camping and picnic elements such as picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, trash containers, benches, and utilities.

• Part 3 collects information on tent pads and platforms.

• Part 4 collects information on campground parking spaces, including recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces, and parking spaces adjacent to tent camping spaces and camp shelters.

• Part 5 collects information on outdoor recreation access routes that connect accessible elements and spaces within camping and picnic areas.

The relevant scoping and technical provisions of the proposed accessibility guidelines are summarized in each part. Scoping provisions specify what accessible features must be provided, and how many elements must be accessible when multiple elements are provided. Technical provisions specify the design criteria for accessible features.

There will be a conference call on to go over the form. To participate in the conference call, call and enter this pass code: .

If you have questions as you complete the form, please call or e-mail the following individuals at the Access Board:

Bill Botten 202-272-0014 botten@access-board.gov
Peggy Greenwell 202-272-0017 greenwell@access-board.gov
Jim Raggio 202-272-0040 raggio@access-board.gov

April 13, 2005

Part 1 – General

Facility:
Location:
Camping/Picnic Area:
Name of Person Completing Form:
Telephone Number:
E-Mail Address:

What type of work did the project involve?
_____Construction of a new camping or picnic area
_____Alterations to an existing camping or picnic area

Briefly describe the scope of work of the project (e.g., constructed 10 new tent pads; replaced 10 picnic tables).

If the project involved alterations to an existing camping area:
How many camping spaces are provided in the camping area? _____
How many of the camping spaces were accessible before the project was undertaken? _____

If the project involved alterations to an existing picnic area:
How many picnic tables are provided in the picnic area? _____
How many of the picnic tables were accessible before the project was
undertaken? _____

What was the total cost of the project?

If accessible features in camping and picnic areas benefit others in addition to individuals with disabilities, or accessible features are provided for reasons in addition to providing access to individual with disabilities, describe the additional benefits or reasons below.

Part 2 – Camping and Picnic Elements

Where camping and picnic elements are provided, the proposed accessibility guidelines require a minimum number of the elements to be accessible as summarized below.

If utilities were provided as part of the project, specify the type of utility provided such as hand pump, sewage hook-up, or electrical service in column one and fill-in the information requested below.

If custom made camping and picnic elements were provided as part of the project, list the elements in column one and fill-in the information requested below. Do not list ground surfaces, tent pads or platforms, parking spaces, or toilets in column one.

If accessible camping and picnic elements were provided as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

Where the technical provisions refer to operable parts, the operable parts must be placed within one of the reach ranges specified below; must be operable with one hand; and must not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 lbs. force to activate.

If a new camping or picnic area was constructed, or if an existing camping or picnic area was altered and the ground surface was also altered, fill-in the information requested below.

The proposed accessibility guidelines require certain spaces at accessible camping and picnic elements specified below to be firm and stable, and not exceed 1:50 slope in all directions or 1:33 slope where necessary for drainage. In existing camping and picnic areas, where camping and picnic elements are replaced and the ground surface is not altered, the proposed accessibility guidelines do not require the ground surface to meet these requirements.

Is the native surface firm and stable? Yes ____ No ____

If the native surface is not firm and stable, describe how a firm and stable surface was provided at the accessible camping and picnic elements; the total number of square feet of firm and stable surface provided; and the cost per square foot for providing a firm and stable surface.

Does the ground surface at the accessible camping and picnic elements have a 1:50 slope in all directions or 1:33 slope where necessary for drainage? Yes ___ No ___
If additional costs were incurred to provide a 1:50 slope in all directions or 1:33 slope where necessary for drainage, estimate the costs.

Exceptions are permitted where compliance with certain technical provisions would:
(1) Cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics;
(2) Substantially alter the nature of setting or the purpose of the facility;
(3) Require construction methods or materials prohibited by federal, state or local law; or
(4) Not be feasible due to terrain or prevailing construction practices.
Do any of these conditions apply to the project? Yes ____ (Condition #: _____)
No _____

If accessible camping spaces were provided as part of the project, fill-in the information requested below.

The proposed accessibility guidelines require accessible camping spaces to be identified by a sign displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility, unless all the camping spaces are accessible, or the camping spaces are assigned upon arrival or through a reservation system.

Are the camping spaces assigned upon arrival or through a reservation system?
Yes ____ No ____

Are the accessible camping spaces identified by a sign displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility? Yes ____ No ____

What is the cost for providing a sign displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility?

Part 3 –Tent Pads and Platforms

Where tent pads and platforms are provided, the proposed accessibility guidelines require a minimum number of the spaces to be accessible in accordance with the table below. If more than 500 tent pads and platforms are provided, call the Access Board for the number of accessible spaces required.

If tent pads and platforms were provided as part of the project, fill-in the information requested below.

If accessible tent pads or platforms were provided as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

Is the native surface firm and stable? Yes ____ No ____

If the native surface is not firm and stable, describe how a firm and stable ground surface was provided at the accessible tent pads and platforms; the total number of square feet of firm and stable ground surface provided; and the cost per square foot for providing a firm and stable ground surface.

If additional costs were incurred to provide a 1:50 slope or 1:33 slope where necessary for drainage at the accessible tent pads and platforms, estimate the costs.

Part 4 – Campground Parking Spaces

If recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces were provided as part of the project, fill-in the information requested below.

Where recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces are provided, the proposed accessibility guidelines require a minimum number of the spaces to be accessible in accordance with the table below. If more than 500 recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces are provided, call the Access Board for the number of accessible spaces required.

Number of recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces provided as part of project: ______

Number of accessible recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces provided as part of project: _____

If accessible recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces were provided as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

If the project included work on general use parking areas in campgrounds with recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces, fill-in the information requested below.

In campgrounds with recreational camping vehicle and trailer spaces, the proposed accessibility guidelines require each general use parking area to provide at least one accessible parking space for recreational camping vehicles and trailers.
Do the general use parking areas where work was performed as part of the project provide at least one accessible parking space for recreational camping vehicles and trailers? Yes ____ No ____

If accessible recreational camping vehicle and trailer parking spaces were provided in general use parking areas as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

If parking spaces were provided adjacent to tent camping and camp shelter spaces as part of the project, fill-in the information requested below.

Are accessible parking spaces provided adjacent to accessible tent camping and camp shelter spaces that were provided as part of the project? Yes ____ No ____

If accessible parking spaces were provided adjacent to accessible tent camping and camp shelter spaces as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

Part 5 – Outdoor Recreation Access Routes

If a new camping or picnic area was constructed as part of the project, fill-in the information requested below.

Where a new camping or picnic area is constructed, the proposed accessibility guidelines require outdoor recreation access routes to be provided. Outdoor recreation access routes must coincide with or be located in the same general area as the general circulation path.

In a picnic area, outdoor recreation access routes must connect at least 40 percent of the accessible picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, and benches in the area; and all the other accessible elements and spaces in the area.

In a camping area, outdoor recreation access routes must connect all the accessible elements and spaces in the area.

Were outdoor recreation access routes provided to connect the accessible elements and spaces that are required to be connected by the proposed accessibility guidelines? Yes ____ No ____

If the ground surface in an existing camping or picnic area was altered, fill-in the information requested below.

Where the ground surface in an existing camping or picnic area is altered, the proposed accessibility guidelines require outdoor recreation access routes to be provided in the locations where the ground surface is altered. Outdoor recreation access routes must coincide with or be located in the same general area as the general circulation path.

In a picnic area, the outdoor recreation access routes must connect all the accessible picnic tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, and benches in the locations where the ground surface is altered until at least 40 percent of these elements are connected; and all the other accessible elements and spaces in the locations where the ground surface is altered.

In a camping area, outdoor recreation access routes must connect all the accessible elements and spaces in the locations where the ground surface is altered.

In the locations where the ground surface was altered, were outdoor recreation access routes provided to connect the accessible elements and spaces that are required to be connected by the proposed accessibility guidelines?
Yes ____ No ____

If outdoor recreation access routes were provided as part of the project and any technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines summarized below were not met, check the technical provisions that were not met.

Exceptions are permitted where compliance with certain technical provisions would:
(1) Cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics;
(2) Substantially alter the nature of setting or the purpose of the facility;
(3) Require construction methods or materials prohibited by federal, state or local law; or
(4) Not be feasible due to terrain or prevailing construction practices.
Do any of these conditions apply to the project? Yes __ (Condition #: ___) No ___

What is the cost per square foot for providing outdoor recreation access routes within the camping or picnic area?

What is the cost per square foot for providing paths within the picnic or camping area without regard to the technical provisions in the proposed accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation access routes?

APPENDIX B: CAMPING AND PICNIC AREA PROJECTS DATA SUMMARY

Department of Agriculture

Forest Service
1. Gallatin National Forest, Campground
2. San Juan National Forest, Paradise Horse Campground
3. Santa Fe National Forest, Paliza Campground
4. Wasatch-Cache National Forest, East Marsh Campground
5. Payette National Forest, Sheep Rock Picnic Area
6. Los Padres National Forest, Arroyo Seco Family Campground and
Live Oak Day Use Area
7. Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Middle Fork Campground
8. Apalachicola National Forest, Carmel Lake Recreation Area, Camping Area,
and Silver Lake Recreation Area, Picnic Area
9. George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Cane Patch Campground
10. Sam Houston National Forest, Cagle Recreation Area, Campground
11. Shawnee National Forest, Pounds Hollow Picnic and Day Use Area
12. Chugach National Forest, Quartz Creek Campground and
Quartz Creek Picnic Area

Department of Interior

National Park Service
13. Glacier National Park, Park Wide Campgrounds
14. Voyagers National Park, Jenos Campground
15. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kulaniokaiki Campground
16. Pinnacles National Monument, Picnic Area
17. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens Campground
18. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Davis Bayou Campground
19. Manassas National Battlefield Park, Brownsville Picnic Area
20. Valley Forge National Park, Picnic Area
21. Acadia National Park, Blackwoods Campground

Fish and Wildlife Service
22. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Long Island, Camping Area
23. Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Rainbow Lake, Camping Area

Bureau of Land Management
24. Sand Flats Recreation Area, Juniper Campground
25. Storm King Trailhead, Picnic Area
26. Sourdough Creek Campground
27. Parker Strip Area, Bullfrog Day Use Area
28. Egin Lake Recreation Area, Campground and Day Use Area
29. Pit River Recreation Area, Campground and Day Use Area

Bureau of Reclamation
30. Emigrant Lake Recreation Area, Picnic Area
31. Northshore Park, Picnic Area
32. Salton Sea State Recreation Area, Picnic Area
33. Rifle Gap State Park, Cottonwood Campground and Picnic Area
34. Lake Berryessa, Oak Shores Day Use Park
35. Keyhole State Park, Arch Rock Area, Campground
36. Keyhole State Park, Pronghorn Area, Campground
37. Keyhole State Park, Homestead Area, Campground

Department of Defense

Army Corps of Engineers
38. Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes, Foscue Creek Park, Campground
39. Greers Ferry Lake, Dam Site Park, Campground
40. Truman Lake, Bucksaw Park, Campground
41. Truman Lake, Bucksaw Park, Picnic Area
42. Raystown Lake, Seven Points Recreation Area, Valley Camp Loop
43. Berlin Lake, Mill Creek Recreation Area, Maplewood Camping
Area