Constructing a walking bridge and dealing with the powers that be

[doc henderson]

Well, if the water is not too deep or when the level is down, i think you could cantilever a telephone or two across the creek.  put it over a rolling fulcrum like a short pole and push it from your near side while holding the near end down.  roll it to the other side.  then even if this is a temporary bridge you can get you bobcat to the other side as needed. 

[doc henderson]

looks like reviewing pics to be about 15 inches deep with a rocky bottom.  nice.  with your bobcat, this seems like a fun project.  do you have building or engineering experience??

[Southside]

Rent a mini-ex with a thumb for a day and you can make short work of that slash pile.  Put the wood into one pile that you can burn and grade off the dirt that was pushed into the pile with the skidder blade.   

[beenthere]

Just saw this video by Camarata. Says a $4k mini.. was an interesting watch, if nothing else. might be worth a look and if nothing else, a rental.
Buying a new 00 excavator - YouTube

[chesterspal]

Found what might be an interesting solution to the soggy areas on my land. My wood chip idea was shot down so this might turn out to be a better solution and not that expensive, either.





You fill in this 2" high "webbing" with gravel or dirt and it will hold the material in place even when wet. The design allows for proper drainage. Seen this used locally by my town at the park where they had significant water pooling in some areas of the parking lot.

Now no more.

https://www.agtec.com/agtec-geocell-ground-grid-2-inch-8-4ft-x-27-4ft?gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOXsI4bM9WFlUNFh_WSGf-tV0tv2Np7bRv-U5IIOoKHfOArD4n7J74BoCo4oQAvD_BwE

[doc henderson]

that is neat and not too expensive.  might be just right for your approaches. 

[chesterspal]

Question on the burning of this wood debris or "slash pile" you folks call it.

Is this likely something I need to coordinate with the town fire marshal and have a fire truck standing by... at my expense?

I know open burning was outlawed in my original area of Connecticut some 50 years ago but when I moved to another part of the state, they do it all the time. As an asthmatic this ticks me off big time.

Not sure what you can do in VT, so if someone can answer that question??

[Ljohnsaw]

Out here you go to any firehouse and get a burn permit that is good for two years. It had the rules written out. Piles no bigger than x, can only contain y, need water nearby, etc.  Also, have to call the Burn Number to see if it is a Burn Day.

Stop by a local firehouse?

[beenthere]

As an asthmatic this ticks me off big time.

What ticks you off? ..that you are asthmatic or that you can burn?

[BillMlry]

If your potential creek crossing site is not in plain view from a well traveled road and your uncooperative neighbor I'm reminded of the old adage "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission."  From the looks of your photo it doesn't look like it's all that wide a creek so if it was me and the above caveats hold I'd just build the darned thing using the best references available and common sense and keep my mouth shut.  It's your land and you're not going to unknowingly do anything to harm it or the environment.  Regulators look for excuses to protect their jobs and turf and I'm convinced some of them delight in hassling citizens/taxpayers/land owners, etc..  I'm just saying.....if it was me?

[Ron Scott]

Burning is usually allowed when the ground is snow-covered. If not, then a burning permit is usually required, and it is best to have one.

Check with your local DNR, USFS, or fire department for a permit to burn. They are usually easy to obtain unless weather conditions are a risk to burning. Burning permits are now even issued online.

[doc henderson]

What is allowed in Connecticut has nothing to do with rural America.  use common sense.  follow the rules.  If the fire is burning well, very little smoke.  Get a permit, but if it is windy, do not burn. A fire station in Ks would have a red flag raised for wind, or low humidity, stating you should not burn.  If you do and start a fire that gets out of hand, you will be scolded.  In rural areas it is somewhat assumed that you have common sense.  We do a lot of burns to prevent big grass fires and to prevent loss of life and property.  Do not look to California as most of their problems are created by their own mindset.

[John Mc]

From what I uderstand, VT has an open door policy. Anyone can use anothers land for recreational purposes (correct me if I'm wrong on this VT guys) and their ain't much you can do about it. They do offer some legal protection to land owners should someone who was not invited (i.e. trespassing) gets injured. They cannot come back and sue the owner.

Well, you've got a few bits & pieces of how thing work in Vermont, but that's not quite right.

In Vermont, if land is not posted as "no trespassing", then people can walk, snowshoe, hunt or fish on your property without seeking permission. However, even if it's not posted, if an owner asks you to leave, you must leave.

If you follow the proper procedure to legally post your land, people may NOT enter it without your permission (There are some obvious exceptions: police, emergency reponders, etc.)

You cannot operate a motorized vehicle on someone else's property regardless of whether it is posted or not unless you have WRITTEN permission. (I'm assuming driving up someone's driveway if not posted is an exception to this.)

Vermont does have good legal protection for landowners. As long as you are not charging for the use of your land you are not liable if someone gets hurt while recreating on your land. (You are still liable for deliberate acts on your part or gross negligence.) If you charge or receive something of value for the use of your land, you are not protected by those laws.

[chesterspal]

In Vermont, if land is not posted as "no trespassing", then people can walk, snowshoe, hunt or fish on your property without seeking permission.... If you follow the proper procedure to legally post your land, people may NOT enter it without your permission.

Posting, even if I wanted to, would be a huge and expensive operation. These signs need to be placed every so many feet and with owning a large parcel it is not practical. I'm willing to let others enjoy my property as long as it does not become a garbage dump. 

[chesterspal]

If your potential creek crossing site is not in plain view from a well traveled road and your uncooperative neighbor I'm reminded of the old adage "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

I've done things all by the book. Cleared it with the town's head zoning official and asked for the same from the State. No reply as yet from them.

When the time comes in the Spring, the bridge goes up. I won't need to ask for forgiveness because I already asked for permission.

Failure to reply is the same as saying "OK" in my book.

[GAB]

If your potential creek crossing site is not in plain view from a well traveled road and your uncooperative neighbor I'm reminded of the old adage "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

I've done things all by the book. Cleared it with the town's head zoning official and asked for the same from the State. No reply as yet from them.

When the time comes in the Spring, the bridge goes up. I won't need to ask for forgiveness because I already asked for permission.

Failure to reply is the same as saying "OK" in my book.

Not knowing who or what department you spoke to I would suggest, if you can find out if they are obligated to reply to you within a specified time frame.  If so, and they fail that might be a green light for you.
As to your bridge - I would wait for a dry spell then hire a decent size excavator and place a concrete retaining wall block on each side and build from there.  Maybe 4 of them if they are too short for your desired width.
Concerning your slash pile if you hire an excavator maybe that could be used to move the slashing to where it does not affect your access.  As far as burning I would not do it as it might simmer/smoke for a long time and a good wind could cause you unintended consequences.  I would probably place a wooden monument in front of the slash pile giving credit to the previous owner for all tresspassers to see.
Good luck and wishing you the best.
GAB

[chesterspal]

Not knowing who or what department you spoke to I would suggest, if you can find out if they are obligated to reply to you within a specified time frame.  If so, and they fail that might be a green light for you.

My last attempt to contact this very same fellow was over 6 months ago and I'm still waiting for his reply.... after three attempts.

Do you suppose the Statute of Limitations has run out on that one  :D? 

As to your bridge - I would wait for a dry spell then hire a decent size excavator...

If I could access the land with an excavator I'd not need the bridge. You will need to go back up to my initial posting so see my issues.

[GAB]

Not knowing who or what department you spoke to I would suggest, if you can find out if they are obligated to reply to you within a specified time frame.  If so, and they fail that might be a green light for you.

My last attempt to contact this very same fellow was over 6 months ago and I'm still waiting for his reply.... after three attempts.

Do you suppose the Statute of Limitations has run out on that one  :D? 

I have no idea what the Statute of Limitations is or would be.
GAB

[chesterspal]

Do you suppose the Statute of Limitations has run out on that one  :D? 

I have no idea what the Statute of Limitations is or would be.
GAB

I was (kind of.... but, not really) joking.

Look, I pay taxes in VT just as you do, GAB. These folks theoretically work for us as taxpayers. They have a duty to respond in a timely fashion to legitimate issues regarding their departmental duties, do they not?

So, they are acting as our employees in some respect.

Frankly, if I was his boss... I'd fire his ass.

[GAB]

How big a flame you plan on using.
GAB

[Raider Bill]

As far as posting your whole property, does Vermont have a purple paint law?
I did 133 acres in a couple hours.
I did have access to most of the boundaries.

[chesterspal]

As far as posting your whole property, does Vermont have a purple paint law?

It appears there was a Bill introduced back in 2022, but it does not look like it went anywhere that I can find.

https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0151/S-0151%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Anyway, I'm fine with others accessing my land for non-motorized recreational use. I support the "bring out what you bring in" policy and I hope others will abide by it.

[Southside]

Found what might be an interesting solution to the soggy areas on my land. My wood chip idea was shot down so this might turn out to be a better solution and not that expensive, either.





You fill in this 2" high "webbing" with gravel or dirt and it will hold the material in place even when wet. The design allows for proper drainage. Seen this used locally by my town at the park where they had significant water pooling in some areas of the parking lot.

Now no more.

https://www.agtec.com/agtec-geocell-ground-grid-2-inch-8-4ft-x-27-4ft?gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOXsI4bM9WFlUNFh_WSGf-tV0tv2Np7bRv-U5IIOoKHfOArD4n7J74BoCo4oQAvD_BwE

Have you looked into building a ford as a crossing instead?  That retainer material with 6" rock would make a solid bottom you could cross.

[chesterspal]

Have you looked into building a ford as a crossing instead?  That retainer material with 6" rock would make a solid bottom you could cross.

This idea was floated, here, before.

I found exactly one video on Youtube for building a ford and it was a massive project involving a cement truck and a full crew.

These state conservation types tend to frown on anything that is in the water or impedes or changes the flow in any way.

Hence, I will always be better going with a bridge, if possible.

The stream I need to cross is 7 feet wide and around 2 feet deep. My best bet is a bridge.

[beenthere]

7' wide stream with a 10' long bridge?

Per the OP

At a bare minimum, I'm looking at a flat bridge 48" wide by 10' long.

We want to help with good suggestions for you, but so far don't think we are getting the full picture from you. Sorry 'bout that.