Specifications include, but are not limited to: Straker Trail Phase 2 will add nearly 20 miles of professionally designed and constructed natural surface hiking trail through Jesse Owens State Park and the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area. The trail, once complete, will connect to the Buckeye Trail west of Belle Valley in Noble County, pass through Muskingum County near The Wilds and join the Buckeye Trail again in Morgan County near the Dyes Run Trailhead. This trail will be a non-motorized, all weather, natural surface hiking trail that weaves through the various terrain created by previous surface mining and resultant mine reclamation work. The first phase of trail, approximately 5.5 miles, is already in contract and will begin construction Spring 2024 through southeast Muskingum County all of which is through previously disturbed mine lands. This project, Phase 2, will connect to Phase 1 on both ends and make not only the Buckeye Trail connection but also bring together existing campgrounds, parking areas, and other various points of interest. General Notes 1. Contractor to work directly with ODNR representative and EMH&T staff for official routing of trail. Contractor to mark the proposed route with ground flags or ribbon on trees for owner approval. Prior to construction, contractor to document all obstructions to the proposed route, including but not limited to man-made obstructions, unstable surfaces and soils, potential drainage areas, creeks and streams, and intersections of other pathways and roads. Solutions to these listed instances must be approved by ODNR representative and/or EMH&T staff. Trail centerline is intended as a proposed 100' wide corridor and final trail alignment to be finalized in the field. A GIS shapefile of the proposed trail centerline is available. 2. At least 7 days prior to initiating any earth disturbance (corridor and/or tread development), the contractor shall invite ODNR representative and EMH&T staff to an on-site pre-construction meeting. 3. All earth disturbance activities shall proceed in accordance with the sequence provided on the plan drawings and construction notes. Deviation from that sequence must be approved in writing from ODNR prior to implementation. 4. Contractor will perform controls necessary for the execution of the work (even if not specifically mentioned) and provide additional controls as required by unforeseen conditions. Any additional controls will be submitted in writing to ODNR. 5. Trail proximity to existing vehicular roads shall be limited to 50'-0" minimum distance unless approaching an intersection. Intersections with other trails is strongly discouraged, unless necessary. All intersections must cross at perpendicular angles and have appropriate warning signage for all users. Signage specification to be provided by ODNR. All intersections to be documented with shop drawings by the contractor and approved by ODNR. 6. Contractor shall acquire a Notice of Intent, NOI and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, SWPPP prior to mobilization with assistance from ODNR and their representative. Any land disturbing activities that disturb 1 acre of land or more is required to submit a SWPPP and file an NOI per OEPA Stormwater Discharges from Small and Large Construction Activities General Permit. All permits and stormwater controls are the responsibility of the contractor. 7. Potential streams and wetland near the proposed trail alignment shall be reviewed on site by ODNR or their representative. Impacts to wetlands shall be avoided by adjusting trail alignment. Stream crossings shall be documented by ODNR or their representative. It is understood that ephemeral streams may be impacted by the trail without a permit. The provided centerline has been selected through review of various mapping sources, aerial imagery, and ground truthing with the intent to minimize or avoid stream crossings, wetlands, and other low lying wet areas. The contractor is expected to avoid low lying wet areas and major stream crossings. Not all areas of the provided centerline have been field verified and it is the responsibility of the contractor to avoid wetlands and other waters of the US by adjusting the trail alignment.
