Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-02 - Division of State Parks and Division of Natural Areas
Chapter 0400-02-08 - Management of Tennessee Natural Resource Areas
Section 0400-02-08-.12 - ROADS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0400-02-08-.12

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Service Roads. Vehicular access lanes shall be installed and maintained within a natural area only where essential for patrol, fire control, or other necessary management activities, and in accordance with the management plan. Such lanes shall be closed to all vehicles except service and emergency vehicles. The service roads shall provide a single track and clearing shall not extend more than seven feet on each side of the center of the lane. Existing roads that are no longer necessary for management purposes shall be treated as intrusions per Rule 0400-02-08-.08 unless otherwise utilized for public access as part of a trail system.

(2) Public Access Roads. Public access roads shall be installed and maintained only when needed to provide for visitor utilization of the natural area. Installation of these roads shall be in accordance with Rule 0400-02-08-.24 and the management plan. These roads shall be constructed subject to the following criteria:

(a) Road development in all natural areas shall be limited to the minimum extent necessary to provide access for the maintenance and/or public use of the natural area. Roads shall be designed and located with extreme care and with a concern for the environment. Roads shall follow the general contour of the natural terrain.

(b) Roads in natural areas shall be constructed for a design speed not to exceed twenty-five miles per hour. Excessive cuts and fills shall be avoided. The width of roadways shall not exceed eighteen feet. Shoulders of the roadway shall not exceed one foot in width on each side. Two additional feet of shoulder may be allowed where guardrails are needed for safety purposes. The design of all structures, including, but not limited to, bridges, tunnels, grade separation devices, and retaining walls, shall be aesthetically pleasing and functional. Grades of up to 10% may be used where needed for short distances. Gravel surfaced roads shall be used when practical in keeping with primitive character of the natural area. Asphalt or concrete surfacing may be used where heavy use will make gravel surfacing impractical or when the safety of the visitor is involved.

(3) Careful attention shall be given to the impact that roads will have on the environment in the planning phase of natural area development. Road construction will not be initiated if during this phase it is determined that the impact will be negative to the character of the natural area. The appropriate manager for the natural area shall carefully weigh such values as drainage, streamflow, wildlife habitat and mobility, natural vegetation, geologic features, scenic features, noise levels, and other natural characteristics of the natural area before determining whether a road is to be built. The exact route of the proposed road shall be inspected at the site to ensure that all natural features have been considered.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-201, et seq.; 11-1-101; 11-13-106; and 11-14-104.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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