PATC Policy
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club plans to maintain any open areas and vistas that are currently present along the Tuscarora Trail on lands owned or managed by the Club.
The techniques involved in the proper management of these resources include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following practices:
- Mowing
- Hand cutting
- Selective tree cutting
- Grazing
- Special Use Permits
In the case of grazing, this management technique could be effectively implemented through the issuance of special-use permits where such a method is practical and mutually beneficial.
Controlled Burns
Controlled burning is not considered as a management technique, chiefly due to the degradation of the air quality in this rapidly developing area.
Herbicides
PATC does not normally support the use of herbicides, particularly those that could pose any threat to existing water resources and public watersheds.
PATC does not normally support the deliberate clearing of open spaces unless the purpose of the clearing is to maintain a vista. The Club prefers to allow the Trail corridor lands to remain in as natural a state as possible and protect the historic and ecological resources present within the Trail corridor lands.
Partners’ Policies
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry
The Bureau manages vistas within a 100-foot buffer on state forest trails. Vista maintenance along the Tuscarora Trail is the responsibility of PATC, however, and must be coordinated with the Bureau. Vista management by the Bureau consists primarily of selective cutting to improve views.
Bureau of State Parks
The Bureau of State Parks is actively involved in management of vistas on state recreation lands. Each park currently maintains vistas where beneficial to the park system, pursuant to park resource management plans where such plans exist. Vista management along the Tuscarora Trail should be a coordinated effort between clubs and park personnel. The vista management program consists of selective cutting, mowing and, in some cases, herbicide applications.
