RECREATION ACCESS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 Template for facilitating Siskiyou County, the City of Yreka and the State of Jefferson in a RECREATION ACCESS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PLAN Access to the Mountains CREATING ACCESS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS BY ADDING PRACTICAL ACCESS METHODS THAT WILL ADD SUBSTANCE AND VALUE TO OUR CITIES, TOWNS AND COMMUNITY WHY: The goal of this initiative is to re designate existing roads so that outdoor recreationalist, ranchers and farmers who want access to the mountains and their own property by the use of off highway vehicles through existing roads can legally travel from their homes, property or designated parking areas to their destination without fear of legal repercussions. This initiative will add diversity and character to our area and improve the quality of life for our residents and those visiting. The initiative is NOT new, but a more a specific clarification of the already accepted County Resolution dated November 18 th, 2008; which specifies: the policy of Siskiyou County is that all roads, trails and areas on federal land that were available to motorized access and/or travel as of the date of adoption of this Resolution should remain open to all forms of motorized travel including snowmobiles, and OHV s (See attached)

2 WHY: Continued This initiative will create solutions and opportunities to our local residents and visitors by eliminating the conflict that the USFS Travel Management Plan(TMP) has created. No other county has such a large and diverse recreation area as Siskiyou County (ranching rafting, hunting, mining, hiking, biking, off highway parks, boating, golfing, fishing, and camping) All within miles of our County seat and within our Forests. Siskiyou County and our communities need opportunities for growth and sustainability through visitor days and tourism. HOW: Facilitate with the County Supervisors, County Sheriff, City of Yreka, Yreka Police Department, USFS and the Highway Patrol to specify roads and trails that are designated OHV, GOLF CART AND BIKE FRIENDLY in order to link our Cities, Counties and Forests and get resolutions and ordinances in place to facilitate this. o For County roads located in the National Forest We would like to follow the example of Lassen County add a new section in the Siskiyou County code which will list the new code and roads to be added. This works in conjunction with The California State vehicle code Section 38006, and (see attached) o For the Roads in Yreka and Highway Segments The California State vehicle code Section gives local authority the ability to add up to three miles of any section of highway for OHV use in order to connect roads, trails, or access to lodging or facilities. This must be approved by the CHP commissioner, once approved, funds will be made available for signage. (see attached) Create and publish a OHV, GOLF CART AND BIKE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY logo and maps to showcase Siskiyou County opportunities through signage, internet and periodicals. Page 2 of 8 November 19, 2013

3 HOW: Continued Create parking access areas within close proximity to I 5 and install information boards. Revise the current road standards and the new USFS travel map to specify that licensed drivers (or riders) can travel on designated County routes in vehicles that are made for off highway travel. The current USFS travel map designates ALL County roads as level 1 roads and they are NOT accessible to off highway vehicles no matter if they are dirt, gravel, or paved. Currently illegal for any OHV: o Yreka to the Coast Trail ( State of Jefferson Trade Route ) o Yreka to the Siskiyou National Forest. o Yreka to the Humbug OHV Area and all County roads around it. BENEFITS: Increase revenue for businesses through tourism activities related to this initiative. Increase in City and County recognition through unique access and recreation opportunities. Increase rider responsibility through permitting and enforcement of illegal riding, speeding, helmet use, and sound emissions. By making Siskiyou County and the City of Yreka OHV, GOLF CART AND BIKE FRIENDLY it will bring an untapped revenue stream to our businesses, County and our community by those seeking access to the great outdoors. By making Siskiyou County and the City of Yreka OHV, GOLF CART AND BIKE FRIENDLY it will bring attention and provide advertising opportunities for the County and towns. Page 3 of 8 November 19, 2013

4 STATISTICS: No other County has such an abundant system of roads, trails, OHV parks and campgrounds in such a close proximity to its boarders. No other County has the ability to pull traffic off of the I 5 corridor and instantly access the mountains and forests of our area. The US Forest Service is currently developing two off highway camping and picnic areas within our County but has excluded all of the surrounding county roads. Thousands of vacation travelers, RV ers, and OHV enthusiasts drive both North and South to their destinations and back and are a potential resource if we become OHV friendly and can attract them to our communities. From a University of Oregon study: An estimated 2.6 million household trip days were taken statewide in Oregon in 2008, with the South Coast having the largest share (756,581 trip days). These trip days include all OHV riding, from an hourlong ride on adjacent land to a week long vacation hundreds of miles away. Combined, local, non local, and out of state trips were associated with $250 million in trip expenditure in Oregon. A substantial portion of this total was for gasoline, to be expected given the record high gas prices that year. Statewide, this spending generated $64.1 million in labor income, and this income supported 2,369 jobs. Siskiyou County and the surrounding towns could reap the rewards of OHV tourism similar to Coos and Curry County through the promotion of their OHV opportunities. OTHER CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT ARE OHV FRIENDLY: Lassen County, CA Shasta County, CA Inyo County, CA Page 4 of 8 November 19, 2013

5 MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT: Riding is only allowed in daylight hours on City routes. Speed limit is 25 mph in town. Must follow all state transportation laws. (Stop signs, Hand signals,..etc) No more than 93 decibel allowed on any machine. All off road vehicles must have current off road sticker. Travel on designated roads, trails and access points only. All Riders must wear helmets. Page 5 of 8 November 19, 2013

6 ACCESS / ROUTES: Revise USFS maps per County Resolution to include County roads. (Humbug, Hawkinsville, Greenhorn,, Mill Creek.etc.) Designated routes in the City of Yreka to access the forest, local gas, lodging and eating establishments. (See map below) Designate visitor parking area in the City limits. (Upper Greenhorn park, City Yard of Hwy 3) Re designate routes along the Yreka to the Coast The State of Jefferson Trade Route o US Forest Service Roads 12(Oak Knoll to Horse Creek) 48( 5 miles Indian creek road) 316(199 to Oregon) 305 (Road to Coast from 316) 46N66(Seiad to Girder Creek Campground) 46N24X(Seiad to Girder Creek Campground) 46N03(China Point Creek) o State Hwy Roads Add sections of these roads to travel maps for all vehicle use. 3 miles of Hwy 96 at Oak Knoll and Seiad 3 miles of Hwy 199 at Patrick s Creek. o Revise USFS maps per County Current Resolution J 001(Humbug) 7S 001(Rider Gap to Oak Knoll) 7C 002(Happy Camp Seiad) Page 6 of 8 November 19, 2013

7 ACCESS / ROUTES: Continued 7H 002(Middle Fork) 8G 004(Oak Knoll to Rider Gap) 8D 002(Seiad Valley) 8D 001(Old Hwy Seiad) 8C 001(Happy Camp to Oregon) 6G0 03B(Mill Creek), 8J 002(Humbug Creek) 8J 001(Ash Creek/Old Hwy) Montague and Lake Shastina to Goosenest Ranger District. Yreka to the Montague Golf Course Add specific portions of State Hwy to allow access to farmers and outdoor recreationalist. (4 corners Big Springs, Hwy 97 near Heard Peak, A12 at OHV area to Pluto Caves, Yreka to Montague Golf Course, Need input.) Page 7 of 8 November 19, 2013

8 Yreka Access Map Page 8 of 8 November 19, 2013