Questions have arisen concerning the Jefferson County Trails Council's policy regarding trail maintenance. This issue has become more of a concern as parts of the Loop Trail have aged. Here are our thoughts:

* The Loop Trail will be a $4 Million (approximately) piece of infrastructure one day.

* Like any solid structure - such as roads and bridges - it needs upkeep and maintenance.

* We chose a granular surface for the trail for many reasons: cost, naturalness, good on the legs and feet, slows down bicyclists, etc.

* The negative trade-off for a granular surface is that it is susceptible to weeds.

* The Trail System is an investment by the City of Fairfield and the County, a benefit for local users as well as out-of-town visitors and tourists. We want it to look exemplary, not overgrown with weeds! As does the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.

So what to do? Regarding spraying, here is what we found:

We have researched and tried non-toxic, organic sprays on the trail. They have not worked, except as a topical agent (killing the surface growth for 3-5 weeks). They are not an effective systemic, in other words, they do not go into the root system to kill the weed.

The most effective, least toxic systemic available is RoundUp, which is what we have used over the past few years.

We have checked with many professionals, including Steve Nichols at Soil Technologies, Inc., as I heard they have a new, non-toxic product called Phydra that is an effective weed killer. Steve says it is only topical; it doesn't kill the weed. Steve stated, without any prompting, that, "having the Loop Trail overrun with weeds is simply not acceptable." He said RoundUp is the only alternative now known.

Therefore, we hired a professional company, Bass Lawn Care, to spray the Loop Trail. They used state-of-the-art hooded spray valves to keep the RoundUp strictly on the trail, with no drifting whatsoever.

Regarding mowing along the trails, here is the current plan:

The Fairfield Park & Rec Dept and the Jefferson County Conservation Board (JCCB) each have maintenance responsibility for designated sections of the Loop Trail. Last winter they met to discuss sharing equipment and manpower for this maintenance. There are only 6 miles of Loop Trail completed, and their staff and resources are being stretched already. How will they be affected when 17 miles are complete?

Because of this, the JCTC is helping Park & Rec on their sections of the Loop Trail.

One issue involves mowing along the trail. The JCCB has a vertical-cutting mower that is used to cut back encroaching bushes and shrubs on both sides of the County Park trails. Plans were made to try it on the Loop Trail.

Why use this process?

Because the trails are man-made, nature will simply reclaim that land, if we don't cut back growth. By cutting back encroaching bushes and shrubs with the vertical-cutting mower, Park & Rec. can use their regular mower to cut the grass/weeds on the trail margins more frequently, thereby cutting down on weed-encroachment onto the trail proper, and therefore reducing the need to use RoundUp.

Because the weeds had taken hold so strongly in some areas of the trail, Ron Blair encouraged the JCCB to aggressively use the vertical mower, which will then allow Park & Rec to mow further into the trail margins.

In hindsight, this should have been done in the winter-time when it's easier to see everything, and the consequences of cutting would not look so dramatic. Also in hindsight, we probably didn't need to cut back so deeply.

As a footnote, a crew of JCTC volunteers went through most of the Loop Trail in Summer, 2006, with loppers and electric trimming shears, trying to push back the encroachment. They probably cut back 12-18" of growth. The very next year, 2007, the new growth is back as vigorously as before, if not stronger.

Periodically, therefore, the adjacent foliage needs to be trimmed back (maybe 3'-4', rather than 6'-8') to protect the trail system. This is not an option, it is a requirement!

Trimming back should also be done vertically, from ground level up to 8-10' high. This cannot be done regularly by volunteers. It requires professionals (liability) and professional equipment.

The concern for nature vs. maintenance:

People are concerned about nature, rightfully so. However, The reality is that all our trails are man-made. Ron Meyers has said, "If you don't want to be on a man-made trail, walk in the woods with the poison ivy, thorns, multiflora rose, etc."

Man-made trails have to be maintained, just as our roads are. The trails cost a lot to build, are loved by all users, and therefore should not be allowed to fall into disrepair. The JCCB and Park & Rec Dept staff members are sensitive, seasoned professionals who truly love what they do and try to minimize the disturbance to nature, while at the same time maintaining a high quality product.

We welcome input. Polite and respectful input is particularly useful. Also, the people who put time, care, and love into their tasks, building or maintaining trails, wish to be treated respectfully.

Maybe a different piece of machinery will ultimately be required to more gently cut back the growth. Maybe one day a non-toxic systemic will be created. Until then, dialogue is important and necessary. We hope concerned citizens understand that much thought, much care, and love goes into decision-making about long-term trail maintenance.

We have always worked in the spirit of compromise, cordiality, and in striking a balance. We only ask that others do the same.

    - Ron Blair, Chairman of the Jefferson County Trails Council