Ok Mike, that all makes sense. Numbers 1 and 2 are fairly straightforward and not a ton of work given the nature of the typical trail, but since you're dealing with the FS bureaucracy will probably take far more time than you'd like. They have a legal responsibility to ensure that important or potentially important ("significant" is the legal term) sites aren't disturbed, so they need to cover their butts, but they don't have a whole lot of $$ to do it with. I would assume that most of their acreage has been surveyed as part of timbering operations, but I could be wrong. Sounds like I am in fact. As for number 3, the EA, I believe the FS required this before the FATS trail could be started over near N. Augusta, SC. Bill Victor was the lead guy on that and might be able to provide some insight if you think you need it. I can put you in touch with him or you can contact him through IMBA as he's our state rep. But if they're really talking an EA and survey for all maintenance you're right: that would suck. What you'd need then is a programmatic agreement between the FS and the State Historic Preservation Office dealing specifically with trail maintenance. And that's something you should raise with the FS archaeologist when you meet him/her. Who is it by the way?
