Since the law of July 22, 1983, the departments are responsible for ensuring the safeguarding of walking and hiking routes. They usually carry out the major maintenance (side clearing, removal of fallen trees, steps, renovation of masonry or footbridges) of long-distance footpaths under management or at their expense via public markets. On the other hand, the departments generally entrust the paths' marking and minor maintenance and cleaning to hiking clubs against subsidies. In the Alpes-Maritimes department, the preservation and security of the 621 mi (1,000 km) of long-distance hiking trails and smaller paths represent an annual market of 700,000 euros.