Where to get advice on driveway/bridge project?

jimy22 · Mar 19, 2006

There is about 50 acres of family property in upstate NY where I would love to build a weekend cabin. Basically, there is a downhill from the road, then a creek to cross, and then it slopes upward. For me, the prime cabin spot is across the creek. It is probably somewhere around 500 feet from the road. (anything on the road side of the creek is not private at all, plus a bridge would be benefical to access the bulk of the property)

There are several issues to be dealt with and I'm not sure who to ask for advice. Someone in a state or county department? Construction guys? or ???

There is swamp nearby that has been there for many years and I am quite happy to leave alone. However, the creek in this area had a beaver dam about 10 years ago and that changed things quite a bit. The place where the driveway would go is now much wetter than before - not quite a swamp - but close. The remains of the beaver dam still divert the creek and I expect that a big flood could someday return the creek to its original straight line - which wouldn't be a good thing to happen after a bridge is in place.

I am not looking to skimp on doing the "right thing" (environmental or construction) - I just need to get an idea of what I would be getting into. My question is more WHO do I work with locally, rather than us trying to figure it out from descriptions/pictures here.

thanks,

Jim

tommu56 · Mar 19, 2006

I was looking for a dirt road building guide but I misplaced that link but here is a good one for bridges. when I find ther road one I'll post it

web page

tom

midlf · Mar 19, 2006

Sorry to say this but around here, Wisconsin, the first stop would be the DNR, the state environmental dept. I'm sure it would be the same in NY. I would ask around local first to find someone who has done it so I could find out what I was getting into so I could go into the process prepared.

firemanpat2910 · Mar 20, 2006

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=projects&Number=219087&Forum=projects&Words=get%20over%20it&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=218712&Search=true#Post219087 I dont know if I did the link thing right or not but go to the main search page set time limit to all search projects for "get over it" Mr Hurt (I think) built a great bridge I used some of his Ideas when helping a buddy build a 20' span over a 15' deep creek.

waynokakid · Mar 20, 2006

Here is one I found from the USDA. Might give you some guidelines
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/stewardship/accessroads/accessroads.htm

MikeD74T · Mar 21, 2006

Try talking to the local loggers. They get involved in wetlands access on a regular basis, both tempory & permanent applications. They should be able to point you to the right agency & may have tips on the right questions to ask or what answers the agency will want to hear. At least looking like you know what you're doing goes a long way with bureaucrats. Most smaller loggers also do business with contractors to build their log landings and you may get a good referal to help with the construction.

jimy22 · Mar 21, 2006

Thanks to all for the advice and web links. That last link looks VERY useful - I filled out the form to receive a copy by mail.

There is a Soil and Water Conservation department listed in the local phone book which will probably be a good place for me to start. From their web pages it looks like (in general) wetlands under 12 acres are not protected and I am under that. Regardless, I don't want to ruin the area either so expert advice will play a role.

Part of me wants to spend a few hours with a shovel to "help" the creek get back to its original line first. Even without help, it is gonna happen eventually.

Jim

KevinMcD · Mar 21, 2006

Where upstate are you? If you are inside the "blue line" of the adirondacks I would check out the APA website to see if they have to get involved. DEC also.

Kevin McD.

ByronBob · Mar 21, 2006

Go to the local building inspector and then because of the water I'd imagine the DEC would get involved. Your going to have to ask the town first anyway to see if he has juristiction or the DEC. He'd know.

Your not in the Catskills or Adirondaks are you? Because the Park agency gets involved then.

jimy22 · Mar 22, 2006

Nope, I'm not in the mountains so it sounds like that might make things a bit easier. It is a very small town so any sort of inspections are about as minimal as it gets these days, but I'll be checking in with the town as well.

thanks...Jim