B.

that meets Reclamation's objectives and conveys to the public a favorable image of Reclamation. The sign principles used in formulating these Guidelines should be followed to successfully administer a comprehensive sign program.

Signing Guideline Principles: The following principles were used in formulating the Guidelines and should be used in administering a sign program:

1. Signs should deliver understandable messages to visitors.

2.

The established Reclamation emblem shall be used, where appropriate.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Signs should convey either Reclamation's or a managing partner's primary mission, general information, or project data to the public.

Interpretive signs should educate and inform the public about the variety of natural and cultural resources managed by Reclamation or in cooperation with other entities.

Signs shall comply with accessibility standards (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, [ADAAG] 4.30) and, where appropriate, accommodate individuals with bilingual needs.

Accessible interpretive signs should follow the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible
Exhibition Design.

7. Signs provided by a managing partner may follow their own guidelines, if such guidelines exist, or these Guidelines at the option of the managing partner.

8.

Guidelines should use international symbols and established signing industry
standards for design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance.

9.

Guidelines should complement Reclamation's Crime Witness Protection Program and should assist in informing the public of prohibitions for entry into Reclamation facilities and areas.

10. Guidelines must comply with pertinent Federal, State, and local laws in administering signs at outdoor public use areas, as appropriate.

11. Consistent application of sign guidelines will help make areas safer for visitors at Reclamation projects, while reducing liabilities.

2.

3.

a. Help protect the health and safety of visitors to Reclamation lands and facilities.

b.

C.

Provide direction and guidance for the use of project lands and facilities.

Inform and educate the public about the natural and cultural resources of the project.

Scope.-When used, these Guidelines should apply only to signs located on lands and at recreation facilities or structures located on Reclamation lands that are normally open for public recreation use on a regular basis (e.g., campgrounds, day use areas, trails, and boat launch areas). Signage at Reclamation facilities such as canals, powerplants, dams, construction sites, and office buildings is not covered under these guidelines. Where facilities are operated by other entities, other guide-lines may apply pursuant to prior arrangements and language in the management agreement. These Guidelines should be complied with at the time of renovation or replacement. Sign standards of managing partners may be used, if appropriate.

Responsibility.-Responsibility for the administration of signs resides with the area or field office having administration over Reclamation's real property for the areas under their jurisdiction.

a.

b.

C.

Each area or field office should designate an office sign coordinator, which can be a collateral duty assignment. This individual should have the necessary skills and abilities to coordinate all the signing needs with the public affairs officer, accessibility coordinator, security officer, occupational health and safety officer, design engineer, landscape architect, and other office personnel, as appropriate. The sign coordinator may also be one of the above-mentioned individuals.

Each regional office should designate a regional sign coordinator to provide technical support and assistance to the area or field offices. This should also be a collateral duty assignment.

So that these Guidelines are interpreted consistently, Reclamation's Denver Office of Policy and Technical Service Center can provide guidance upon request of the regional and field offices.

D. Sign Planning:

1.

Sign Plan.-A sign plan for all new and existing recreation use areas should be completed by Reclamation and/or in cooperation with its managing partner(s). Reclamation's Accessibility Data Management System provides an excellent checklist that could be used as a planning tool to ensure that signage on Reclamation lands is in

compliance with accessibility laws and regulations (see appendix 1). If sign plans and individual signs are developed, they should be considered as official drawings and subject to internal review and approval. During the preparation of a sign plan, the following questions should be addressed:

a. Does the sign meet the public's or Reclamation's need, or would some other medium (e.g., brochure, factsheet, or map) be more effective?

b.

C.

d.

e.

f.

Does the sign convey a positive message?

What type of message is needed (e.g., identification, information, direction, interpretation, or regulatory/warning message)?

What should the message be, and is it brief enough to adapt to a sign?

Where should the sign be located for optimal effect?

Is the message needed for individuals:

(1) Traveling in automobiles or boats?

(2) Traveling on snowmobiles?

(3) Hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, or watching wildlife?

(4) With a disability?

g.

Have the funding sources for fabrication, installation, and future maintenance been identified?

2.

h.

How many signs of each type should be purchased, taking into consideration. replacement needs?

i. Has proper coordination been accomplished with managing partners, including coordination of name recognition and symbol/seal/emblem placement?

Sign Plan Formulation.—Elements to consider in formulating a sign plan include:

a.

b.

An overall area design theme and individual recreation area logo that considers the environment of the area, including dominant landscape, colors, forms and textures, cultural aspects, existing or planned architectural elements, and the diversity of the area visitors. In addition to an area logo, the sign base and mounting technique should accommodate the theme.

The selection of sign substrate, color for background, message letter style,
methods of fabrication, post style selection, and mounting and installation
specifications to complete the chosen theme.

E.

3. Sign Plan Format.-The sign plan should use the following format and include the indicated information:

a. Justification: Describes why signs are needed.

b.

C.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i

Sign Locations: Identifies, on a map, the area and location of proposed signs.

General Signing Concepts: Discusses the "design theme" proposed for the

area.

Sign Types: Describes each type of sign needed.

Sign Design Fabrication: Specifies how signs are to be designed, including color, substrate, letter size and style, construction details, and mounting base fabrication.

Sign Installation: Specifies exactly how signs are to be installed, including base setting and installation hardware.

Sign Program Administration: Identifies who is responsible for implementing these Guidelines.

Sign Catalog: Establishes a numbering system for each sign on a location map (except for standard traffic signs) to facilitate easier replacement of signs.

Sign Order Forms: Includes appropriate design and specification information to facilitate the fabrication of needed signs.

Sign Funding, Review, and Maintenance: Each operating office should prepare a sign inventory, conduct periodic reviews, prepare maintenance schedules, and prepare annual work plans requesting funds to repair or replace damaged signs or install new signs. It may not be the responsibility of Reclamation to fund the administration of signs; however, in most instances, it is Reclamation's stewardship responsibility to ensure that proper signs are installed and maintained. The office sign coordinator should be responsible for coordinating the funding, review, and maintenance of all signs.

1.

Funding.-Reclamation will have different levels of funding obligations for the planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of signs at its projects. Funding requirements and level of involvement depend on the management entity and arrangements negotiated between Reclamation and its managing partner(s).

a.

Reclamation-Managed Area: All funding needs for conducting inventories and reviews and preparing maintenance schedules, as well as for the cost of planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance, are the responsibility of the designated area or field office.

F.

b.

Areas Managed by Other Federal or Non-Federal Entities: All funding needs for administering signs for outdoor public use areas (e.g., lands, reservoirs, and facilities) on Reclamation lands that are managed by another entity are the responsibility of the managing partner, unless otherwise agreed to in a management agreement.

C. Jointly Managed Area: All funding needs for public recreation use areas
managed by Reclamation, in cooperation with another entity, should be

determined through negotiation and a subsequent management agreement. Joint
occupancy may be with either a Federal or non-Federal entity.

2. Sign Review.-A periodic review should be performed by Reclamation's area or field office, or in cooperation with its managing partner, to address adequacy, wording, and design standards.

3. Sign Maintenance.-A maintenance schedule should be prepared, reviewed, and updated annually to address damage, visibility, legibility, and appearance.

Sign Approval: A sign plan should be approved by the area office manager or a designated official prior to fabrication and installation.

G.

Procurement Process: The procurement of fabricated signs and standardized signs, such as warning, traffic, snowmobile, boating, and General Service Administration signs, may be obtained by normal field or area office procedures.

H.

Data Base: Reclamation's regional offices, in cooperation with its area and field offices, are encouraged to develop a sign data base, which would facilitate consistent application of these Guidelines.