ROAD MAINTENANCE REPORT
ALIDA LORIO, GENERAL MANAGER
JUNE 30, 2006
Since the end of last year we have:
- Completed the Gate 4 project with our own crew and minimized outside contract work. Hauled 212 yards of road base, donated by property owner Jan Quigg, to repair two badly eroded hills on main Gate 4 road, watered and packed and worked fill to improve road surface.
ü Big Bend Valley, from 02 fence in the north to Nine Point Mesa in the east; repairing severe damage where previously neglected
ü Southwest corner of Cedar Springs and the west road entrance into Cedar Springs
ü West North Corazones area, west of Jack Eden Mesa to Hwy 118
ü Repaired repetitive erosion problem on south side of Rattlesnake Ridge; worked all roads behind Rattlesnake Ridge
ü Ament Lake road area east of the Christmas Mountains preserve
ü the Lodge area east of Jack Eden Mesa and south of White House Mountain
ü Worked the Solitario thoroughly and returned to rework Salt Grass Draw and Black Rock Creek crossings due to heavy rain damage
ü Highway 118/Gates area, including all roads between Gates 2 and 4; repaired severe washouts in Gates 5 and 7.
- Brought road crew personnel up to two motor grader operators and a backhoe/loader operator who doubles as a swampter, all three of whom have good experience.
- New Road Supervisor started full time March 1, 2006.
- Purchased used Jeep for use by supervisor to monitor road conditions and crews.
ROAD MAINTENANCE REPORT January, 2006 Since July, 2004 POATRI has made steady progress towards the improvement of our road maintenance capabilities. - Education using the Natural Resources Conservation Services of the USDA which entailed visiting particular trouble spots and devising long range plans for repairs and discussing various methodology we have begun implementing for more environmentally conscious maintenance.
- Heavy rains delayed repair projects and inhibited true maintenance as we dealt with emergency situations through the end of 2004.
- Rented a second backhoe/loader to work washes in Cedar Springs and North Corazones for 2004 hunt season. POATRI Case Backhoe/loader did same in Solitario.
- Implemented an area by area maintenance program that at least partially set us on the path of better maintenance for all roads in general.
- Purchased two trucks to better serve road maintenance crew and management. Outfitted one truck with spare diesel fuel tank, air compressor and necessary tools for in field servicing of heavy equipment.
- Overhauled 5 yard dump truck which was not otherwise usable.
- Purchased used 5,000 hour 140H to replace old 12F. 12F retired due to dangerous steering and brakes and excessive, escalating repair costs.
- Sent 140G for long over due 2000 hour overhaul only to discover need for engine rebuild. Estimated cost was $18,000-20,000.
- Purchased second used 5,000 hour 140H to replace 140G. $22,000 trade in on 140G, $12,000 trade in on 12F.
- Overhauled Case 580SL Loader/Backhoe to improve performance and extend life.
- Began Cedar Springs Road diversion dam project. Bulldozer contractor cleared area for dams and flagged position. Work stopped due to dry weather. Dams need moisture to be packed in.
- Arranged with TXDOT for the dumping of large rocks cleared from highway right of way to be used at Gate 9 entrance. Watershed has been worked to spread water flow and downstream side has been packed with large rock and dirt in an effort to retard total wash out. NCRS recommendation of low water crossing was estimated at $20,000, which is at least temporarily beyond our budget.
- Estimate on bringing in fill to correct severe traction problem on heavily used Gate 4 road was $15,000. Project delayed due to budget. Will be restarted in 2006.
- Bulldozer contractor has corrected two trouble spots on Tanque Tierra road in Solitario and one at Gate 5.
- Signed Caterpillar Service contract for regular 250 hour, 500 hour, 1,000 hour and 2,000 hour service on both 140H graders and the Case backhoe/loader to extend life of machines.
- New operator hired November, 2005. Thirty years experience as operator with National Park. Has been working the Ghost Town area, south of 170 and the Gates.
- Purchased used 2000 gallon water truck with spreaders to better facilitate projects such as Cedar Springs Road dams and maintenance work in general.
- Overhauling old road crew Ford diesel, which had been retired to resort use, to serve as second in-the-field work truck.
- New road supervisor will begin work in late February, 2006. Twenty years experience as operator/supervisor. He has been working roads in the north part of the Ranch on weekends since the end of November, 2005. We will be putting together a full crew as soon as possible.
Alida Lorio General Manager January 29, 2006
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