Chapter II SCOPE The primary scope of these Guidelines is for outdoor public visitor signing on both land and water areas. These Guidelines do not include guidance on interior signage for office buildings and dams, and other Reclamation employee workplaces. If signs relate directly to the public's use and enjoyment of Reclamation facilities, lands, and waters, these Guidelines should be used in the planning, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and replacement of such signs. Signing situations not covered in these Guidelines should follow the specifications set forth in the MUTCD, published by the Federal Highway Administration, and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. These Guidelines are intended to supplement, and not supercede or conflict with, existing guidance provided by Reclamation's Public Health and Safety Office, Public Affairs Office, and Security Office. These Guidelines shall comply with all accessibility laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. These Guidelines apply to the signage of lands and facilities under the jurisdiction and management of Reclamation and those managed by other entities. Three distinct management situations occur with regard to such facilities and lands, each requiring different guidance and direction. These include: (1) management by Reclamation; (2) management by a non-Federal entity, such as a water users' organization, city, county, State, or another Federal entity, such as the United States Forest Service (USFS) or the National Park Service (NPS); and (3) joint occupancy or management of a facility or lands with either a non-Federal or another Federal entity or entities. These are described in greater detail below: Management by Reclamation means that Reclamation has sole jurisdiction over the lands and, therefore, complete management responsibility for all recreation-related facilities, programs, and services. Signing for Reclamation-managed facilities and lands should follow the Guidelines described herein. In this management situation, Reclamation has sole responsibility for the funding, planning, design, fabrication, maintenance, and replacement of all signs. Lands managed by a non-Federal entity will usually be signed according to that Lands and facilities managed by other Federal entities are either: (1) those areas leased for management purposes, or (2) those areas where the lands and facilities have been jurisdictionally transferred by legislation to another Federal agency. Two examples that fall under the latter description would be Reclamation lands and associated recreation facilities that have been transferred to the USFS under Public Law 89-72, as amended, or lands and facilities that are within National Recreation Areas that have been jurisdictionally transferred to the NPS or, in some instances, the USFS. The lands and facilities will be managed under USFS or NPS rules and regulations; however, Reclamation continues to manage the Federal water project that was originally authorized by Congress (see Design Type A2, chapter VI). When there is a temporary managing entity or where a change in management is pending, temporary sign boards may be appropriate. In cases where the participating Federal or non-Federal entity has no established sign guidelines, that entity should be encouraged to adopt Reclamation's Guidelines. The funding, design, installation, maintenance, and replacement of such signs shall ultimately be the responsibility of the managing entity unless otherwise agreed to in a management agreement. Some managing partners already have quality sign standards. In these instances, existing standards may be used, when appropriate. Sign needs within areas that have been reserved for Reclamation's administration and use (i.e., areas immediately adjacent to dams and along canals which are closed to public use) will be the responsibility of Reclamation. Reclamation should follow its own sign guidelines within these restricted areas. Joint management means those related lands and facilities that are jointly managed pursuant to existing laws and subsequent management agreements. Reclamation may or may not hold title to all lands and facilities described in the management agreement. Each entity's responsibilities concerning funding, planning, fabrication, placement, and operation and maintenance of signs for areas under joint management or occupancy will be resolved by negotiations with the entity or entities involved. If Reclamation has the dominant role, its Guidelines should be used. In situations where Reclamation has minor involvement in the funding, fabrication, and installation of such signs, it may be prudent to follow the lead entity's design guidelines. If the lead entity lacks adequate guidelines, Reclamation's Guidelines should apply. Chapter III SIGN CLASSIFICATION The purpose of this section is to group and define all the types of signs used on Reclamation lands. These groups are represented in the following categories: identification signs; informational signs; directional signs; regulatory, warning, and security signs; and a miscellaneous group that includes temporary, boating, snowmobile, concessionaire, and special event signs. A. Identification Signs: These signs help to orient the visitor and identify important areas and facilities. They are grouped into three subcategories: 1. 2. 3. Administrative Signs.-These signs are used to identify office buildings, Feature Signs.-These signs are used to identify structures built or areas managed by Reclamation, such as dams, outlet works, canals, tunnels, and powerplants. These types of signs would also be located at or near reservoirs or wildlife management areas to identify such features. Area Signs.-These signs designate a land area, facility, or group of facilities not covered in the above subcategories. Area signs should be located along primary access routes serving each area. Typical areas that should be signed are reservoir recreation areas, entrances to recreation complexes, recreation components, associated campgrounds, and day-use areas. Within each identification sign subcategory, a major and minor distinction is made, depending on the public exposure a facility or area will receive (see table 1). This distinction can assist personnel in prioritizing the fabrication, installation, maintenance, and replacement of such signs. The operating office, in conjunction with the regional office, must have the flexibility to apply evaluation criteria, in addition to the criteria listed in table 1, to determine the significance of an identification sign and to determine if it is to be considered an administrative, feature, or area sign. 1 The operating office, in cooperation with the regional sign coordinator and the public affairs officer, will evaluate public visitation and make major/minor determination. See table 2 for types of signs used for each area. B. Information Signs: These are signs located in key areas throughout the site that provide important information for the visitor. The message should be conveyed in a brief, clear manner and be located to provide information to the visitor as it is needed. Information signs consist of the following subcategories: 1. 2. 3. Bulletin Board Sign Medium.-This sign should be large enough to post rules, regulations, and other information pertinent to a particular site, and it will allow space for the posting of messages by users. It is also important to provide the public with adequate direction to the nearest emergency medical facility. Instructional Signs.-These signs should provide instructions for the use or operation of specific facilities such as trailer dump stations, boat ramps, and fish cleaning stations. They should also be used, in association with other signs, facilities, or other media, to provide supplemental information as required (e.g., seasonal information, office hours, restrooms, showers, and campground unit number posts). Interpretive Signs.-These are signs or exhibits that are placed in specific locations around the project to provide interpretation of the site. They may take on many forms including textual messages, plaques, markers, panels, and demonstrations. 4. Accessibility Signs.-These are signs that depict access to persons with disabilities. The signs could designate certain sites for persons with disabilities or notify individuals or groups that certain programs and facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities (e.g., restrooms, trails, campgrounds). The design of these signs should reflect characteristics of the site or object they are interpreting, while maintaining harmony with the overall design of the project area. Because signs need to relate directly to the interpretive needs of a site, no specific guidelines have been established for their format. However, interpretive signs should be concise and should be an integral part of an overall area sign plan. Because of their unique characteristics and the fact that there are so many design variables, interpretive signs are discussed in greater detail in chapter IV, Interpretive Signs. C. Directional Signs: These are signs that show the location of specific project features or facilities. International symbols should be used, when possible, to provide the necessary information in a simple, concise manner. The international symbol for accessibility should be used, whenever possible, to direct visitors to accessible facilities and programs. Directional signs should be located to provide the visitor adequate time to make a decision. D. Regulatory/Warning/Security: These signs should be used when necessary for the protection of visitors and the environment. These types of signs are also needed to address the security needs of Reclamation facilities and facilities managed by other entities. The Crime Witness Protection Program types of signs are an integral part of this classification of signs. Signs should be concise and straightforward and should use international symbols wherever possible to facilitate understanding at a glance and to aid in maintaining design continuity throughout the project. They should be plainly displayed and legible from any approach to a facility or feature, whether the visitor is on foot, in a wheelchair, or in a vehicle. When appropriate, signs should not only be erected to control existing authorized uses but also to deter unauthorized entry and use, and to preclude accidental entry. The size and coloring of such signs, lettering, and the interval of posting must be appropriate for each situation. Regulatory/warning signs consist of the following subcategories: 1. Vehicular Signs.-Vehicular signs will be of the standard metal highway type in conformance with all MUTCD standards to facilitate safety. Vehicular signs will be placed at entrances and exits to project areas and features, and along the travel routes within a project, to regulate motor vehicle traffic. Signs designating a prohibited area, and the conditions of entry to a facility or area, should be plainly posted at all principal entrances and should be legible at a distance not less than 50 feet from the point of entry. Such signs should inform the entrant of |