COOS REGIONAL TRAILS PARTNERSHIP

Minutes

March 15, 2005

 

Attendees

Donna Bishop, Miranda Shapiro, Louise Whitehead, Robert J. Gray, Dave W. Gray, J.R. Shelton, Brian Hibdon, David Drenkhahn, Greg Prinz, Tracy Prinz, Connie Nitschke, Reg Pullen, Bob Golden, Jennifer Wade, Scott McNew, Jenny Webster, Bob Laport, Amelia Dexter.

Welcome

Reg Pullen welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave some background to the Coos Regional Trails Partnership as there were some new participants to the group.  Pullen explained how there were two trail systems that the Partnership was currently maintaining: 1) Blue Ridge and 2) Winchester Trails.  The purpose of the Partnership is to help maintain existing trails and promote new trail opportunities.  CRTP promotes multiple use trails as well as trails that support one to two different types of uses depending on the site.  The new healthy hiking initiative is just getting started and is using a group out of Curry County called Sole Pursuits as a model.  Somebody asked about conflicts between motorbikes and horses and Donna Bishop explained that there is no conflict in that arena, nor with ATVs.  It is more difficult with mountain bikes as the horses can’t hear them until they suddenly appear.  Donna recommended that hikers stay on the trail and talk to the horses so it won’t spook them.  It’s when hikers try to be quiet and stay on the side of the trail that it spooks the horses.  Miranda Shapiro mentioned that in 2000 when she held several trail meetings on behalf of CRTP and also did a survey, user conflicts were not an issue.

Introductions

The group went around the table and introduced themselves and said why they were here.  Several comments by newcomers were that they were interested in finding out about trails in the area, interested in kayaking trails (new kayaker), interested in finding out about ways to help promote horseback riding trails (representatives from Backcountry Horsemen), and interested in getting more exercise with other people in the community.

Minutes

Minutes from the February meeting were not approved as they were not available for review.

Review of February Hike

Bob Golden gave a review of February’s hike at Empire Lakes.  Golden said it went really well. Michelle DeGrand from KCBY came out on the hike.  There were a diverse group of walkers and he got a lot of positive comments from the group.  There were approximately 20-23 people who participated outside of the group leaders.  Golden gave a history of the area and talked about plants.  A special thanks to Bob for leading the hike and giving an interview on KCBY after the hike was over.  Miranda Shapiro gave an interview on KCBY on the upcoming hike which wasn’t televised until the Monday after the hike.

Planning for March Hike

Reg Pullen agreed to contact OPRD (State Parks) to find a parks staff person to lead the hike.  Reg also suggested that it would be great to make a publicity plan including a list of where to post flyers, send announcements, and television engagements.  Jenny Webster is advertising the hike in the World newspaper, and other nearby community newspapers, at chambers of commerce, and on newsletters and calendars.  Brandy Mault, Bay Area Hospital, is putting information on the hike in her hospital mailing lists and newsletters.  Members agreed we need to be putting a lot of effort into PR.  Tonight's meeting was in The World newspapter.  Thanks to Jenny Webster for spending the time and energy in getting the word out there.  Many flyers are being put up in Coos Bay and neighboring communities as well.  It was also suggested that a new brochure be made about hiking opportunities.

The routes for the hike still needs to be worked out.  There will be two hikes leaving from Sunset Bay State Park picnic area.  The shorter hike will be four miles and will go from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres and back.  The longer seven mile hike will go from Sunset Bay to Cape Arago and back. 

Members asked if the board of the Bay Area Hospital approved their involvement in collaborating on this Initiative.  Miranda Shapiro agreed to call and ask Brandy Mault or Suzie McDaniels (Note: I contacted Brandy Mault on Monday, 3/21, and the board has approved the hospital’s involvement, Brandy Mault suggested having another meeting with her and Suzie to go over future activities and suggested a raffle this summer.  Also Brandy contacted Fran Grossman of Sole Pursuits about providing liability insurance for the hikes.  Since Curry County hospital initiated the hikes they are required to provide umbrella insurance for the hikes.  Brandy informed me that since the Bay Area Hospital didn’t initiate the hike they are not required to provide liability insurance.).

Planning for Future Hikes

The group decided that April’s hike will be at Eel Lake located at Tugman State Park.  Thus the hike will be on Saturday April 30th (as hikes are always the last Saturday of the month) at 10:00 a.m. State Parks needs to be contacted about providing a leader for the hike. Jenny Webster also recommended having a hike in a different month in the city of Coos Bay which could start at Mingus Park and continue down to the boardwalk and go to 7th street and around. Other locations recommended for future hikes were a dunes trail and Blue Ridge.  The group preliminarily agreed to have the May hike at Blue Ridge and the June hike at New River. It was suggested that CRTP carpool out to longer trips.

North Spit

Bob Golden gave an update on BLM trail construction.  There will be 18 new miles of trails on the North Spit.  Currently there is a staging area near the BLM boat ramp.  Potentially in the future camping will be made available.  It should be completed before the end of summer.  At the parking lot, the BLM is planning to put in a kiosk and corrals. Jenny Webster suggested putting bathrooms there as well. It was also suggested that they have a ribbon cutting ceremony when it is completed. Bob Golden asked people to make sure to go out and use the trails to show support for the project.

Winchester Creek

Bob Laporte and Scott McNew updated the group on maintenance.  On the 17th of February, Mike Law, Scott McNew and Donna Bishop met to discuss the Coos County Rider’s Association (CCRA) stepping into the shoes of the South Coast Trail Riders Association.  They forwarded the old agreement to the county lawyer to review.  This document will then go to the Coos County Rider’s Association for review.  This was also discussed informally with the Board of Commissioners who were supportive.  They would like the CCRA to come to them in regular session to discuss the arrangement as well.  Methane Coal Drilling operators will be working near the Skyline trail which will require trail users to use a different route.  French connection and Franz will also be affected this summer and next.  Mike Smith of the South Coast Trail Riders Association called Bob Laporte to let him know that there still is $5,000 for Winchester Trails.  The Coos County Rider’s Association will have 501c3 status by April.  They will be doing maintenance of Blue Ridge and Winchester trails using grants provided from fees from class 1,2,3 motor people who have to purchase permits.  Donna Bishop said that Mike Law told her that horse groups can also apply for grants.  Scott informed the group that there are three different types of ATV grants available including operations and maintenance, all done by volunteer labor.  OET helped recently and cleared 18 trees.

New Business

Greg Prinz, BCHA, asked how he and his group can support the partnership.  People responded that it would be great if they could use the trails, help with maintenance, and help promote activities.  Prinz asked if the connection between Blue Ridge and Laverne County Park was moving forward.  Reg Pullen said that he had talked with the landowner, Plum Creek, and that he thinks if we don’t push it too hard, it may happen in the future.

Jennifer Wade, Siuslaw National Forest, asked the group to let her know if there are any birding sites they would like to nominate for a brochure that will note these sites located from Astoria to Brookings. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon, Forest Service, and State Parks are all involved in putting this brochure together.  When she has more information on meeting times, Jennifer will send this to the Partnership.  Jennifer noted that there is an accessible viewing platform being constructed at Horsefall Beach.  Reservations for sand camping sites start March 30th.

Next meeting will be April 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Coos Bay District BLM office.