Impact Mitigation
FCC member groups have devoted significant effort and time toward identifying climbing’s impact on natural resources and developing techniques to manage and mitigate these impacts.
The information below discusses these impact issues, their mitigation and potential management techniques:
Vegetation
Vegetation displacement by climbers through trampling, dislodgment and erosive effects on soil is similar to that of hikers.
Mitigation:
Climber and hiker effects on sensitive resources can be managed through educational outreach (promoting awareness on recognition of sensitive species and minimum impact practice), intervention without regulation (through changing use patterns), and formal restrictions on access.
Management techniques to reduce effects on vegetation can include: installation of fixed anchors on the cliff edge, or as alternatives to using trees as belay or rappel points, rerouting/defining approach and descent paths, and establishing exclusion zones. Species with special protection status may warrant more restrictive management techniques.
Non-designated "social" trails
Climbers create social trails by the passage of numerous climbers over time, on the approach to, and descent from, climbing areas. Climbers usually follow the "path of least resistance" to the base of their route.
Mitigation:
If social trails are prevalent and are unnecessary due to redundancy or adverse effects on natural resources or aesthetic values, such trails can be minimized, consolidated or in many cases eliminated.
Management techniques may include mapping of social trails used by climbers; closure of redundant or unnecessary trails; definition/signing of management preferred trails; education (signage, brochure, press release for publication in climbing media and newsletters of climbing groups); improvement/stabilization of trails to withstand heavier traffic; construction of new, permanent trails; and site advisories or area closures to allow soil recovery/vegetation regeneration.
New climbing routes
A distinction should be made between the impacts associated with the activity of establishing a new route and the impacts of the potential increase in visitation to the area, which may (but does not always) follow.
Mitigation:
The FCC has worked cooperatively with Open Space and Mountain Parks to develop a permit system to manage this activity where routes involve new fixed anchors.This process is detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding
between the two groups.
Bolts/fixed anchors
Today, bolts that require the drilling of a small (typically 3/8" x 3") hole in the rock are the most commonly placed type of fixed anchor. The amount of rock displaced through the placement of a typical bolt measures less than one cubic inch, and is smaller than a penny on the surface.
Mitigation:
A thorough application/permit process
administered by the FCC and Open Space and Mountain Parks will be conducted for each new route proposal requiring new fixed anchors. The replacement of current fixed anchors that have been degraded by time and weathering will continue under the present permit system.
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