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Special
Meeting Minutes January 13, 2003
Attendees: Tom Baake, Ned Reed, Carol Acklin, Jason Locke, John Earl, Maureen Earle, Jenny Webster, Sandy Badgewell, Dave Wash, Nancy Zepf, Ron Steffens, Tom Sill, Tom Gaskill, Dan Miller, Dennis Turowski, Martin Callery, Phyllis Love, Kaarina Scolari, Donna Bishop, Ben McMakin, Bob Laport, Reg Pullen, Anne Steeves, John Bragg, Bob Golden, Alan Hoffmeister, Don Ivy, Guadalupe Cisneros, Mike Smith, Miranda Shapiro, Rick Holland, Marty Giles, Rick Osborn, Bill Gehling, Mary Paczesniak, Larry Robison. 1. Welcome and Introductions Old Business 2. Update on activities of the water trails group. a. Presentation of Coos Bay Estuary Water Trails Map: John Bragg gave a background on this project and presented the map as well as handing out copies. b. Presentation of Water Trails Action Plan: John Bragg discussed the development of the Water Trails Action Plan. New Business 3. Review of history of CRTP and past accomplishments – Dan Miller Dan Miller discussed the history of CRTP and it’s past accomplishments and brought a handout documenting the timeline and description of these accomplishments as well as several plans and a recreational opportunity guide developed by CRTP. 4. Future CRTP activities: Attendees discussed what they would like the Coos Regional Trails Partnership to focus on in the future. Below is a summary of this discussion: · Publish Recreation Guides. This includes the guides for both terrestrial and water trails developed by Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) participants, a program of AmeriCorps which is part of the Corporation for National Service. Parts of these guides are located on the CRTP website at www.coostrails.com. · Update/maintain website which is located at www.coostrails.com and is not currently being managed by anyone at this time. The website was created by a local high school student with the help of Coos Bay District BLM’s Alan Hoffmeister. · Marketing/Access of trails as a key. Marty Giles felt that we should market and promote access of what already exists in our area. · Technical assistance e.g. Rails to Trails project in Coquille. Anne Steeves (City of Coquille) said what she needs most is technical assistance as a project she is working on to build a trails on a former rail line in Coquille was derailed after an attempt by a RARE participant and local citizens to get it up and running to connect to eventually all the way to Powers. · Economic benefits – there is a wealth of recreational resources out here for visitors to appreciate through recreational tourism. · Trail Maintenance: Reg Pullen (Coos Bay District BLM) brought up the fact that maintenance of existing trails is very important. There is frequently money to build trails but it’s challenging to get funds to maintain them. Lupe Cisneros (Powers Ranger District) brought up the fact that they have many trails that they have materials but not the labor budget to maintain, thus they need volunteers to help in this effort. · Youth Group Engagement: Youth are a great group to get involved with trails. Powers high school is currently working on a native plant nursery. Youth Conservation Corps, Northwest Youth Corps, and AmeriCorps all engage youth in trail building and maintenance. · “Virtual Trails”. Ann Steeves brought up the fact that Oakridge is marketing it’s recreational opportunities to tourists and visitors can book everything from guides, food, and lodging online and get a virtual tour of what they will experience. · Historic Forest Trails. John Bragg (South Slough NERR) brought up the aspect of historic trails when he saw a sign for a historic trails which caught his eye and raised his interest. This is another perspective for trails as many are old Native American trails that are rebuilt as modern trails. · Roads to trails – Bill Gehling (Powers School District) brought up the fact that Powers has many old roads that are no longer in use that could lead into trails. · Trail from Grassy Knob – Panther Ridge – Rogue River (with other stops in between). Bill Gehling discussed his vision of this trail which could be embarked upon a little at a time. · Partnerships to accomplish projects on Powers Ranger District. Lupe Cisneros says there are several new trails projects that are currently undergoing a NEPA process before they are ready for implementation. Representatives of the Coos Backcountry Horsemen said they would be happy to help build trail and camping spots in Eden Valley when the NEPA process is finished. They are eager for recreation opportunities for horseback riding and camping in that area. · Structure for effective operation. Tom Gaskill (South Slough NERR) said that in order for us to start creating priorities of projects for implementation and starting on the ground efforts with these priorities it’s important for CRTP to have a structure to administer and facilitate these projects. · Festivals. Tom Gaskill mentioned the fact that festivals are a great way to bring enthusiasm and interest in trails like the Bay Area Fun Festival which includes a mountain bike race that CRTP has been instrumental in putting on in the past. · Communication. Many agreed that communication needs to be better between the different groups working on trails. · Advertising/Marketing. Many attendees agreed that it’s important to advertise and market what already exists in our area when it comes to recreation that many people aren’t aware of. Promoting this awareness is important for both visitors and locals alike. · Winchester Trails. Mike Smith (South Coast Trail Riders) brought up the fact that he needed CRTP to write a letter of support for a grant and they never came through. This would have helped maintain Winchester Trails and provide money for some coordination of activities. The Coos Backcountry Horsemen mentioned that they just wrote a grant to improve the bridges at Winchester Trails. Mike Smith said he had tried to get in touch with them but never got a response when he was building the bridges initially. · Paid Coordinator FT/HT.. Several participants said what would be helpful in moving things along is a paid coordinator. Carol Acklin (CM&G) said this would make sure things continued. Mike Smith agreed that a coordinator would ensure that when he needed something like a letter or help with an on the ground project he could get it. Also this person would be a great motivator and catalyst like Dan Miller was when he worked with CRTP through his position at the Coos Bay District BLM, Smith said. Others agreed that a paid coordinator was a good idea. Dan Miller (National Park Service) mentioned that committees would help with getting things going with the partnership and that a paid coordinator is tough to keep funded after the first few years. · Infrastructure Base – Office. Ron Steffens (Oregon Coastal Environmental Awareness Network) mentioned that they have an office with a CRTP computer that could be used by CRTP. Several attendees agreed that it would be good to have an office with a computer, photocopier, phone, etc. · Agency/Worker Time Shares. Anne Steeves (City of Coquille) mentioned that what her telecommunications group does is divide up labor within several organizations so that it can fit in everyones’ budget and things move forward. · Interest groups/committees with permanent structure. One idea is to have committees that bring their progress and work to a permanent structure of members that meet monthly. · Ford Family Foundation grants might pay for some technical assistance. · Groups discussed what committees need to be formed. These include: Maintenance & Construction, Development, Financing, and marketing. · Meeting Times. Reg Pullen noted that it’s important we choose meeting times that fit users schedules and suggested evening meetings would be preferable which most attendees agreed. · Meeting Locations: Carol Acklin said it’s important that we have locations for meetings if there is not one central location. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:30 p.m. at the Coos Bay District BLM. The focus of this meeting with be the structure of CRTP so bring your thinking cap and some ideas. Respectfully Submitted By,
Miranda Shapiro |