Trail Policies
Typically, policies governing a unit of public land are developed by the government agency charged with its management. For the Appalachian Trail, broad management direction and philosophy is set out in the A.T. Comprehensive Plan (PDF), which envisioned that much of the detailed policy direction would be developed by Trail clubs and their agency partners at the local level.
ATC has developed broad policy direction for the Trail, consistent with federal and state laws and regulations. Those policies, as well as other policy direction from the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, are contained in ATC's Local Management Planning Guide (LMPG) and establish the parameters for appropriate Trail management. Within the policy framework, the Trail clubs and their agency partners then develop specific policy direction for their sections of Trail. In this way, the Trail continues to be managed as a single continuous footpath.
Local Management Planning Guide (PDF). New policies adopted since February 1997 and not yet included in the Local Management Planning Guide:
- Locating and Designing A.T. Shelters and Formal Campsites (PDF), November 2007
- Policy on Wind Energy Facilities (PDF), November 2007
- Chain-saw and Crosscut Saw Training and Certification (PDF), November 2003
- Exotic Species (PDF), May 2002
- Advertising in the A.T. Corridor (PDF), November 2001
- Impacts of Development in the Vicinity of the A.T. (PDF), November 2001
- Reassignment of Club Maintenance Responsibilities (PDF), April 2001
- Roads and Utility Developments (PDF), April 2000
- Minimum Impact Backcountry Use (PDF), November 1998
- The A.T. Experience and Non-Hiking Recreational Uses of Trail Lands (PDF), April 1997
Information for Wireless Companies. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy works closely with wireless companies and others to ensure that wireless facilities are located and designed in a way that minimizes impacts to the National Scenic Trails. For information about the agreement between the wireless industry and trail-maintaining organizations, please see the resolution agreement (PDF), which also contains guidelines for voluntary early notification.
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