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Minutes September 21, 2004 Attendees-Donna Bishop, Jennie Webster, Tom Sill, Mike Law, Jennifer Wade, Amelia Dexter, John Bragg, Dave Wash, Reg Pullen, Guadalupe Cisneros The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as read. Primary topics of discussion included the second draft of the MOU and by-laws, conflicts of interest, and trail maintenance grants. The hiking for health initiative was tabled due to Miranda’s absence due to illness. Jennifer reported that the USFS grants and agreements specialist has been looking at the by-laws and MOU and has some concerns regarding it, specifically relating to agency representatives serving on the Board of Directors and possible conflicts of interest. An MOU between the CRTP and the USFS would cover any conflicts with her serving on the Board of Directors. Dave Wash observed that the same would probably apply for the BLM. According to John, the second draft of the by-laws, which are reflective of previous discussions, are not ready to be ratified yet. He feels that the informality of how business was conducted in the past may need to be more formalized. John read a letter from Dave Wash informing the CRTP that he cannot serve on the Board of Directors because of a conflict of interest, but that he could serve in an advisory capacity. A discussion ensued about the fact that agencies have provided much of the leadership for the CRTP. One possible solution is for the user groups to lead the organization, while agency representatives can provide support and advice. John feels that the agencies are too much in charge of CRTP actions. Dave noted that the CRTP is an independent organization that is not tied to any agency and can’t be carried by the agencies. Lupe stated that the RARE students were the hub of the organization in the past and did most of the work. According to John, where we are at today is a result of what happened during the water trails project, when agency representatives did most of the work. Another viewpoint was presented by Jenny Webster, who said that the Oregon Equestrian Trail group is concerned that the CRTP has done little to help them. The agency representatives are being paid through their tax dollars, and they expect them to get the job done for them. Amelia feels that more of an action-oriented organization is needed. John wants more than just agency people involved. The CRTP needs to be driven by members, but it also needs some rules to live by. No more money should be accepted by the CRTP for projects until it is governed by a firm fiscal body of law. Reg presented the case that the agencies have been working on trails on their own lands, and the BLM has developed several new trails in the last few years. It is the responsibility of the agencies to champion their own trail projects first. Jennie feels that she comes to the agencies to get things done. Donna said the clubs want to help with labor and maintenance, but don’t know what else to do. Lupe suggested that agencies are responsible for planning, and that user groups can get the work done on the ground once the planning is done. Donna wanted to know how to get the public involved, and said that the agencies should provide guidance, not leadership. John stated that people assume that when they come to a public agency they will get results, but this is a partnership, and that everyone needs to take responsibility. John reported that Ron Steffens, former president of OCEAN, has been contacted by a donor who wants to give 1300 dollars for materials to fix the bridges on the Winchester Creek trail. The money has to be funneled through OCEAN, and the donor is to remain anonymous. Reg responded with a statement of frustration at his inability to help with Winchester Creek. The BLM can’t spend their resources on county land, but the county could apply for RAC funding to fix the bridges. Amelia said that she is allowed to participate in the CRTP, and to report back on anything that applies to state lands, but that anything she says at the meetings are her own opinions, and do not reflect any official position of the Oregon Department of Forestry. Jennie suggested that maybe the CRTP should go back to the past, when there was no formalized leadership or by-laws. This was opposed by Reg and John, who said the group should look at the water trails project as an example of why that won’t work. A core group consisting of five or six agency representatives and a contractor produced a great water trails map, but the process may have been unethical, and would have benefited from a formalized set of by-laws. Jennie also brought up the Big Loop concept, which she thought was a great idea that needed the CRTP to pull it off. Donna said that hikers need to get involved, perhaps by forming a Volkswagen hiking club. She supports the idea of working with hospitals to get hiking clubs started. According to Reg, federal budgets are declining, while user fees are increasing, and user groups have to take the lead on new initiatives. Jennifer cited the Corvallis to the Sea group as an example of a user group taking the lead on a trail, and getting grants to help pay for the NEPA clearances that are necessary. This has also happened in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where a trail took seven years to complete. Donna said that she realizes how long it takes to get things done, but the problem is that people don’t want to help, especially hikers. The problem, according to John, is that hikers don’t see a need to help. The Corvallis to the Sea trail got started in the 1970’s, and is still a long way from completion. Amelia responded that projects take years to complete, and that it is hard to find people that will hang in there that long. Hiking is not a lifestyle like horseback riding, but that it needs to be. Jennie noted that people will come and go as interests wax and wane, but there is no instant gratification, and that some people will lose interest. Donna feels that people come to the meetings to see what the CRTP can do for them, not what they can contribute to the CRTP. As Jennie observed, mostly horse people came to help on the Winchester Creek trail project. John feels that instant gratification is needed. Most people want someone else to do something for them. Reg tied back to the idea that trails need to be part of a lifestyle. Group rides, group paddles, group hikes are all very successful. First you have to have fun, and then you are willing to work. Jennie was concerned that the tone of the meeting was too negative, and that things are not as bad as they look. There is plenty of interest in trails, but there needs to be more focus. Donna contributed that schools could be a good resource, and that the CRTP should tap into the energy of youth, and form alliances with school outdoor clubs. The ideal meeting, in the opinion of Reg, would be comprised of 40 users and 10 agency representatives. Then the public could lead, and the agencies could serve in the role of advisors. Jennie would like to see more publicity, and an outreach program to educate the public and contact all of the users. Donna felt that many people want to help with work parties, but will never attend a meeting. As John observed, Jennie and Donna were the only users at the meeting, but they represent a large contingent. Amelia agreed for the need to get more people involved, but at the same time accomplish more. This requires a framework consisting of an MOU and by-laws. A structure is needed to handle money, especially public money. She questioned what needs to change about the nature of CRTP meetings to get more people involved. John returned to the need for more publicity, especially in the World newspaper, which seems to have forgotten about the CRTP. The smaller community newspapers may be a better way to reach the public. The meeting ended with a discussion of how to get people more involved, including group hikes and social events. Jennie suggested that the first half of the CRTP meetings should be devoted to business, with the rest of the time spent in committees, such as the Big Loop, water trails, events, etc. The private sector needs to be involved more in what is happening. The trail plans that have been completed need to be reintroduced, and the terrestrial trails and water trails plan needs to start being implemented. There may be a need for focused meetings, with one for water trails, one for hikers, one for ATV’s, etc. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30 PM at the Coos Bay District BLM. |