Forest Roads in a Staggered Ownership Setting

Abstract

When the forest within a natural forest drainage area is split up into many holdings with different owners there is a need for special planning and administrative tools to allow and promote the establishment and continuing maintenance of an adequate forest road network. In some countries, especially those with small forest areas intermixed with agricultural land, the state provides the roads, which then become part of the public road network. Private forest owners may then extend this network, each on his own property. In such cases no special problems arise calling for the attention of forest administrations. However, in many other countries the forest road net is jointly developed, maintained and also financed, at least partly, by the owners of the holdings using or benefitting from the roads. Many times these owners may reach a voluntary agreement on the road matters but generally there are conflicting views on the needs for roads and how costs shall be shared. Then outside expertise is needed to resolve the issue, e.g. the local forest administration.