The best road book around

The Handbook for Forest and Ranch Roads: A guide for planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, maintaining and closing wildland roads by William E. Weaver and Danny K. Hagans is the definitive guide for forestland owners who maintain and/or construct roads. Surprisingly for a technical manual, it is written in a friendly and readable manner that makes sense, even to those of us with no background in the subject.

The 160+ pages are filled with great detail on planning, field reconnaissance & location, design, drainage, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and closure & abandonment. Thanks to the many pictures and diagrams, the basic concepts are easy to follow. Those who desire more depth of information will find a wealth of technical description, tables, appendices, and calculations over which to puzzle.

The authors emphasize that proper planning, design, and construction will help to avoid future problems. The manual "is aimed at producing efficient, low-cost, low-impact roads that have a minimal effect on the streams of a watershed."

This book is a must-have for any landowner library. To get your own copy, contact the Mendocino County RCD, 405 Orchard Ave, Ukiah, CA 95482. (707) 468-9223. Cost is $20.