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Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail

Trail Etiquette

Enjoy the Bay, Leave No Trace

Respect Natural and Cultural Heritage

• Preserve the past: examine but don't touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species; check your propeller, boat, and trailer for plants or river species when landing. Properly clean boats and equipment after each use.

Be Considerate of Others

• Obey all applicable laws.
• Be courteous to other boaters.
• Keep noise to a minimum.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. If you want to see wildlife, keep noise to a minimum.
• Protect wildlife by storing your food securely.
• Never feed animals, birds, or fish. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behavior, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times, such as when they are mating, nesting or raising their young.
• Control pets at all times or leave them at home.

Camp on Designated Campgrounds or With Proper Permission

• Most waterfront areas are privately owned; never trespass onto posted or private property.
• Some waterfront areas and islands are off-limits to visitors and campers; respect these no-trespassing laws.
• Avoid trampling vegetation and use existing clearings for campsites.
• Never build a fire without the consent of park or campground management. Use pack stoves instead.

Manage Your Waste Properly

• Clean up trash and waste; leave your campsite, river or stream cleaner than you found it.
• Clean and wash dishes and equipment away from any body of water.
• When cleaning and washing use biodegradable soaps.

Human Waste

Unless your campground is equipped with a toilet, you'll need to make provisions to pack out your solid human waste for proper disposal in a toilet, RV campground waste facility, sewage treatment plant or marine pump-out station. Toilet paper and hygiene products should also be packed out. It is illegal to discharge human waste into the bay and the rivers that feed it. Here are some solutions to this delicate problem.

Human waste carry-off systems include:

• WAG Bag system - www.thepett.com - 1-877-520-0999
• Restop system - www.whennaturecalls.com - 1-888-924-6665
• The Boombox - http://www.eco-safe.net/ - 316-682-4037
• Porta-potty or boat holding tank
• "Poop Tube" or other personal container filled with seawater, sawdust, etc
• Double plastic bag or milk carton with kitty litter