2.

the necessity of a search of the person, vehicle, packages, etc., or prohibitions against such items as cameras or backpacks or against entry for reasons other than official business, etc., as may be prescribed by the facility manager.

Pedestrian Signs.-Pedestrian signs regulate foot traffic within the recreation and wildlife areas and adjacent to areas where the public is restricted. Care should be taken to ensure that the signs are placed in the best location to be seen by the public. Signs should be erected according to the degree of security desired. The message should be effectively conveyed to the visitor. The signs should not only set forth the designation of the prohibited area, but challenge visitors by warning intruders that an area is restricted and that trespassing is prohibited. Warning signs should be installed along the area's physical barriers, such as fences, and at each entry point, so they can be readily seen and understood by anyone approaching the perimeter. Signs should be posted on or outside the physical perimeter barriers and must be at intervals of no more than 100 feet. Signs should not be mounted on fences equipped with electronic security sensors because nuisance alarms could be caused by incidental movement of the signs. Examples of pedestrian Regulatory/Warning/Security signs are shown below. Color specifications of the seven signs are shown in Chapter VI - Specific Design Guidelines.

1.

2.

Temporary Signs.-Temporary signs are necessary at construction sites and at other
areas and/or sites. They can be divided into two groups. First, vehicular
Regulatory/Warning/Security signs will follow MUTCD standards and have black
letters on an orange background. Second, all other signs will follow the rules for
directional signs as outlined in these Guidelines, except the lettering will be black on
white background. Where practical, Reclamation's graphic identity and emblem may
be included.

Concessionaire Signs.-As is practical, outdoor signs within a concessionaire's area will follow the same design format as signs throughout the reservoir area. These types of signs should not display the U.S. Department of the Interior's (Interior) seal or Reclamation's emblem. All concessionaire signs must be reviewed and approved by the responsible office sign coordinator.

The sign coordinator has the flexibility to grant deviations from established guidelines when local conditions, such as topography and vegetation, dictate otherwise. Neon or flashing signs are not recommended outdoors. However, backlighting or indirect lighting is permissible. Signs that exceed the height of concession buildings should not be permitted under normal circumstances.

Permanent outdoor signs that advertise products by brand name, or by use of emblems or symbols in the colors or designs used by manufacturers, should be prohibited. The local office sign coordinator may allow temporary use of company banners and signage when such a company is sponsoring a special public event that has received the prior approval of Reclamation. Concessionaire's gasoline pumps may be painted in the recognizable standard colors normally used by the oil company who supplies the gasoline and may include the oil company's name or emblem, which shall not extend beyond the normal pump dimensions.

3. Boating Signs.-All signs must conform to the Uniform Waterways Marker System unless otherwise specified by State or county authorities who may have jurisdiction and/or responsibility, such as a State Marine Board. Signs used for the identification of land-based facilities for boaters should conform to the standards for area signs. Land-based directional signs for boaters will conform to the same standards as vehicular directional signs.

4.

Snowmobile Signs.-Snowmobile users may be exposed to various hazard conditions. These hazards, coupled with the speed of snowmobilers, require effective route marking. The office sign plan should identify snowmobile trails as needing effective signing that emphasizes user safety and provides adequate warnings of hazards. Snowmobile signs must conform to the National Snowmobile Association Standards. Trails should be marked with black, 12-inch snowmobiling symbols on an orange background. If desired, signs may be affixed in such a manner as to be easily removed during the off-season. Typically, the following four types of signs are used in conjunction with snowmobile trails:

a.

b.

Snowmobile Trail Identification Symbol: This graphic symbol sign should be provided in two sizes. The larger of the two signs is intended for posting at the trail head. The smaller size is intended for use at major intersections and at the end of trails. The signs should be manufactured in 18- by 24-inch and 13- by 17-inch sizes, respectively. The signs should be black on orange and reflectorized.

Directional Markers and Blazers: The directional markers are used at
intersections, sharp curves, across meadows and large lakes, and at other key
locations. Blazers delineate the trail and furnish reassurance to the users.
Blazers are usually located at intervals of 250 to 300 feet on a line of sight.
In densely wooded areas, shorter intervals may be necessary.

5.

6.

C.

Warning, Caution, and Regulatory Signs: These signs retain the same shape and color as road signs and must be reflectorized. The minimum size is 18 by 24 inches. Larger sizes may be warranted when dealing with critical hazards, such as avalanches, thin ice on lakes, etc.

d. Information Signs: These contain and include trail rules and regulations, diagrammatic trail maps, and other pertinent information, as necessary.

Special Event Signs.-The temporary use of banners and signs designating a special, one-time public event on Reclamation lands should be allowed. No guidelines or specifications are contained herein.

Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Signs.-These signs inform visitors of the status of Reclamation lands with respect to their use by visitors using ORVS. Reclamation lands are closed to ORVS unless the lands have been officially designated as open. If Reclamation lands are open to ORVs, signs should provide the visitor an appropriate level of information as they enter, use, and leave Reclamation-administered lands. Signs should provide positive explanations for specific use restrictions and, where appropriate, include “Tread Lightly” and “Leave No Trace" concepts in the signing program.

Use standard symbols, colors, sign shapes, and sign sizes that follow established highway signing principles and practices that are easily recognized and understood by visitors. Where feasible, signing should be consistent with that of the State in which the Reclamation lands are located. Uniform signing methods should be used within areas of land that are perceived and identified by the public as a single unit. In addition, specific strategies for the use of ORV signs should be consistent with State and Federal regulations when there is a possibility that certain roads or trails may be used by both ORVs and standard highway vehicles.

7. Hiking and/or Horse Trails.-There are two types of signs associated with hiking and/or horse trails. They are:

a. Trail Head Signs. These types of signs should use graphic symbols to identify trails. The choice of symbol or symbol combinations depends on the intended trail use. A trail head sign may also have the trail name and not more than three destinations. When destinations are listed, the distance to the destinations should also be listed. These signs should be rectangular in shape and reflectorized with white letters on a brown background. Sign size should be 18 by 21 inches.

(1) Destination Signs. These signs are posted at intersections to show changes in direction and to provide reassurance to the trail users. The distance should be shown in miles and, if fractions are used, they should be to the nearest 1/4 or 1⁄2 mile. These signs should be in the shape of a truncated triangle and made with reflectorized sheeting.

(2) Trail Blazers. These signs are used at key locations to delineate the trail and to provide reassurance to the users.

Placement and erection of trail signs should be considered during the planning phase of development. Signs should be located:

a. Far enough off a trail so they will not be damaged by users.

C.

d.

e.

So that they do not compete with the view of the surrounding landscape.

So that the height of the sign is in scale with the intended viewer. For foot traffic, the suggested mounting height is approximately 4 feet, measured from the lower edge of the sign. When the trail is intended to be accessible to people with disabilities, the mounting height should meet all accessibility standards and guidelines (ADAAG 4.30). The height of the sign should increase approximately 2 feet for horse trails.

With sign supports in scale to the size of the sign. Two posts should be used for signs of 37 inches in length or greater.

8. Waterway Markers.-Signs prescribed by the United States Coast Guard and approved by the States are the standard waterway markers on large bodies of water requiring control of water traffic, water skiing, skindiving, and other similar uses. Coordination with State authorities is necessary for providing appropriate signing for these types of recreation use. When signing is necessary on small bodies of water entirely under Reclamation's jurisdiction, the National Coast Guard-approved standards must also be adhered to.

Determining signing needs is the responsibility of each operating office, but may be done in conjunction with the regional sign coordinator. Signing needs for project features, land areas, recreation facilities, field offices, laboratories, etc., should be evaluated by the operating office having jurisdiction and shall be coordinated with the office sign coordinator. However, final approval of public signing rests with the designated office sign coordinator.

Once the signing need has been classified, the design type can be determined by using table 2.