Application for Community Assistance

Transcription

1 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Application for Community Assistance The National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program supports successful partnerships with communities across America in achieving their conservation and outdoor recreation visions. Please follow the application steps on our website and then submit this completed application along with a map of your project site, at least three letters of support, and any other supplementary information that helps us learn more about your project to your National Park Service staff contact by August 1. Date: Aug. 1, 2013 Project Name: NPS Assistance with Pre-Planning a Connector Trail from the Town of Grand Lake, CO to the Arapaho National Forest for Use by Motorized Recreational Vehicles Project Location Description (provide a location/site map): Map attached City and State: Grand Lake, CO Congressional District(s) Number (s): Colorado US Second Congressional District Applicant organization(s): Town of Grand Lake Primary Contact: Joe Biller Title: Town Planner, Town of Grand Lake Street Address:1026 Park Ave. City: Grand Lake State: CO Zip Code: glplanning@townofgrandlake.com Website (if applicable): Daytime Phone: Project Description: 1. Describe: (limit to 750 words total) a) Your vision and project goals; b) Accomplishments to date; c) Support: local, city, regional and state plans, endorsements from elected officials and boards, etc.; d) Community benefits that would result from implementing the proposed project; e) Geographic location of your project (city, watershed, specific areas within a city or county, etc.); f) Important demographic characteristics of your project area. The town of Grand Lake, CO (pop. 471) is situated just south of the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Its breathtaking lakeside setting ringed on three sides by dramatic mountains has made it a major tourist attraction since the 1880 s, and tourism remains its largest and most critical source of revenue. Grand Lake shares boundaries with Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), the Arapaho National Forest (ANF), and the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) Federal lands. Recreational access from Grand Lake to surrounding Federal lands is a key component of Grand Lake s appeal to its tourist base and is central to its year-round economy. Access to Federal lands from the town itself is abundant by foot or horseback, but due to its cul-de-sac setting, access to Grand Lake by motorized vehicles is limited to a single point at the main entrance road to Grand Lake from Hwy 34. The extensive OHV and snowmobile trail systems in the nearby ANF are separated from Grand Lake by Hwy 34 and by a patchwork of private, public, and Federal land. Supply Creek Trailhead in the ANF is the key access point to these trail systems. It is located northwest of Grand Lake, approximately 2 miles away from the town entrance road. A map of the surrounding area is attached for clarification. At present, there is no motorized access to Supply Creek Trailhead that does not cross RMNP land. A winter snowmobile trail currently runs from the Town entrance, across the SW corner of RMNP, to Supply Creek Trailhead, but this trail is not authorized for OHV use. OHV s must be trailered to Supply Creek via roads that cross RMNP RTCA Application Form

2 The Town of Grand Lake, CO has a long term vision of providing its citizens and visitors with upgraded access directly from the Town to the nearby system of snowmobile trails and OHV roads in the ANF (for example, action items in both the Town of Grand Lake Master Plan and the draft Parks, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan address the construction of a Hwy 34 underpass at the Town entrance for use by multi-modal forms of recreational transportation). The tourism revenue from providing and maintaining this access is projected to be positive, particularly since snowmobiling is virtually the sole source of town tourist revenue in the winter season. Having direct OHV access for the first time would greatly improve our ability to compete with other mountain resort areas for summer OHV tourist business. In the past, snowmobiles were allowed extensive access into and within RMNP during the winter season, and citizens of Grand Lake still recall being able to navigate the entire length of Trail Ridge Road through RMNP to Estes Park by snowmobile. In the 1960 s, Grand Lake became known as the Snowmobile Capital of Colorado and winter tourist business soared as our reputation spread nationwide. However, successive RMNP policy changes over the years have now limited snowmobile access to a single connector trail from Grand Lake town entrance to the Supply Creek Trailhead (see map). The Park section of this trail is managed by RMNP rather than the Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association, a nonprofit organization that manages the rest of the trail. Rather than allowing snow to be brought in, RMNP closes down the trail whenever inadequate snow depth threatens the underlying vegetation, which can be several times per winter season. Snowmobile outfitters cannot count on the connector trail being reliably open for their customers. Moreover, the long standing policy of RMNP absolutely prohibits any OHV traffic inside the park, which eliminates the snowmobile connector trail as a candidate for a direct OHV connector route to Supply Creek Trailhead. All of the above situations have caused a stagnation of tourism in Grand Lake, particularly in the winter season. While other towns and resort areas have been able to expand their recreational vehicle tourist offerings, we have not. We need a fresh look at the possibilities for change, in ways that will benefit recreational users of the ANF motorized vehicle trail systems while preserving the long term conservation policies of RMNP. At the recent 2013 OHV Workshop sponsored by the Colorado Off-Road Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), it was clear that a common interest in our connector trail project already exists among COHVCO, ANF, GC, the Town, and several private businesses and citizens. At the workshop, a brainstorming session identified the following options for establishment of a connector trail: a) A policy change by RMNP to allow OHV access along the present snowmobile trail route (extremely low probability). b) A land lease from RMNP by GC or the Town of Grand Lake for the connector trail route (very low probability but possibly worth investigating). c) A land swap between the ANF and RMNP to annex the current trail route land to the ANF in exchange for wilderness land farther north on the border between ANF and RMNP (worth investigating). d) Rerouting the current snowmobile connector trail outside the borders of RMNP, along GC and private roads and possibly along an existing GC sewer line easement on the ANF/RMNP border (worth investigating). e) Purchase of private land that abuts the ANF and is accessed by rural roads outside RMNP; building access from this parcel to the OHV trail system via the ANF. This option would require significant funding for land purchase and road construction in the ANF (worth investigating). Although hypothetical and unexplored, the very existence of these options and other as-yet unknown options suggests that a way out of the current impasse is possible. Also pertinent, the Town of Grand Lake and RMNP have jointly won a 2013 grant from the Federal Lands Livability Initiative (FLLI) to have an assessment made of the status of interaction between Grand Lake and surrounding Federal lands. This assessment will take place in September 2013 and will provide feedback about the function of Grand Lake as a gateway community to RMNP, ANF, ANRA, and nearby BLM lands. We anticipate that the assessment will help to clarify the importance of the proposed OHV trail route and will be a valuable tool for the Town in moving the project forward. Realizing our Town goal of a connector trail will be a multi-step and multi-year process, involving many stakeholders. The first step will be to investigate trail options via a dialogue among the stakeholders involved, so that a consensus plan can emerge. We are asking for RTCA assistance in planning a successful approach to this dialogue, including helping us to understand relevant Federal policies and legal options to move our project forward RTCA Application Form

3 2. Describe how your project advances one or more key National Park Service objectives: (limit to 500 words) a. Builds partnerships with health and wellness organizations to promote healthy lifestyles; b. Engages youth or youth organizations to promote close-to-home resource conservation, stewardship, and outdoor recreation opportunities; c. Develops and/or improves connections to parks, rivers, trails, and greenways in diverse urban areas and communities with limited resources and facilities; d. Develops or improves access to National Park Service sites by enhancing connections to nearby communities; e. Advances the protection and stewardship of large natural landscapes (parks, open spaces, and working lands) through partnerships; f. Expands public access to water resources, such as creeks, rivers, lakes, bays, and the coast, and the development of water trails. The Town of Grand Lake believes that our project to explore the possibility of a motorized vehicle connector trail qualifies for RTCA support under categories b) and c) above. 2.b) Snowmobiling and OHV riding are two outdoor sports that have wide appeal to young people, particularly since they can participate without having to be 16 or older. The ANF offers youth over 120 miles of outdoor motorized recreation, but OHV access from Grand Lake requires a valid driver s license and a trailer rig in order to reach the trailhead, as does snowmobile access except for the period(s) in winter when the snowmobile connector trail is open across RMNP. Thus, motorized recreation becomes a function of access to an adult. For many under-16 youth, this is a large negative. Direct trail access for youth would bring them many benefits of constructive outdoor recreation, including the possibility for organized sports groups, and recreational and interpretive youth programs. Indeed, back country OHV trails between Grand Lake and the town of Kremmling at the far end of Grand County could eventually connect the youth of several towns with recreation opportunities. 2.c) As a community of only 471 citizens, Grand Lake has a small tax base and minimal human resources to develop recreational opportunities, both within Town and in surrounding areas. We do not have the advantage of having an alpine ski resort or other major tourist attraction within our town limits to bring in revenue; rather, we rely on secondary revenues from a broad offering of public and private recreation including boating, fishing, hunting, golf, hiking, and winter recreational activities of snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing at the small Nordic center nearby. Adding direct motorized recreational vehicle access to this list is a natural extension of our tourism offerings. A motorized vehicle connector trail between Grand Lake and the ANF Supply Creek Trailhead would directly benefit the Town in the form of increased tourist business and increased recreational opportunities for local residents including youth. It would enhance the ability of the ANF to provide motorized recreation within its boundaries, which is a key component of National Forest policy. A new connector trail route has the potential to free RMNP from the necessity, expense, and ecological consequences of maintaining the current snowmobile connector trail through the Park. And if rural homeowners and other private sector stakeholders are included in the planning process, the new trail may be routed so as to have the least possible negative impact on surrounding areas. Applicant and Partner Roles: (limit to 750 words) 3. a. Describe your role and the level of commitment/services your organization can provide to the project. b. List the key partners involved with the project. Briefly summarize the existing or anticipated role and contribution of each partner. c. Please include three support letters from listed partners other than the applicant or individual(s) of the applying organization that note their support and list their contribution(s) and anticipated project role and responsibilities. 3.a) Role of Applicant The Town of Grand Lake is the applicant and will be the primary administrative body for the project. The principal Grand Lake Team members are: David Hook, Town Manager Joe Biller, Town Planner Scott Krob, Attorney for the Town of Grand Lake Ginny Wilkinson, volunteer for the Town of Grand Lake RTCA Application Form

4 It is anticipated that the principal Team members will devote a minimum of 40 hr/mo to this project, with even more time being available after the end of the summer tourist season. Acting in an advisory role will be: The Hon. Judy Burke, Mayor of Grand Lake An appointee from the Town Council The role of the Grand Lake Team in this project will be to consult with the NPS Assistance Team, to contact stakeholders and arrange regular meetings in-person or by conference call, to research and understand the legal issues surrounding possible options for trail establishment, and to position ourselves for successful application to various funding agencies in the future in order to advance and complete a trail project. We envision that a successful outcome of the RTCA project would be a consensus among stakeholders for a proposed connector trail, and a preliminary plan for moving the trail project through the approval process to final completion. If a successful plan can be formulated, our role will be to apply for financial assistance in the 2014 grant cycle from one or more granting agencies to complete the actual project. Targeted agencies include GOCO, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, and other public funding sources. Thus, our proposed RTCA project will help us to organize and plan for success in our overall goal. 3.b.) Role of partners and stakeholders Because the connector trail project is in the pre-planning stage, we do not yet have any formal partners. However, we have begun talks with COHVCO, The Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association, and the Colorado Headwaters Trails Alliance (CHTA) that have given us some background information, regulatory information, and grant application assistance. We anticipate that other supporters of this project will be eager to devote time and expertise toward moving it forward, either in an advisory capacity or in direct partnership. We are confident that our list of partners will grow as dialogue progresses and we get our bearings in the planning process. Key stakeholders for the overall project are listed below. Since part of the proposed RTCA project will be to assist us in persuading the relevant stakeholders to come to the table for discussion that leads to partnership, our primary partner for the proposed project will be the NPS RTCA Program itself. We envision that the stakeholder list will include: NPS Alan Ragin, RTCA Program Manager, Hugh Osborne, RTCA technical expert RMNP Larry Gamble, Chief, Branch of Planning and Compliance ANF Dan Matthews, ANRA GC Krisman Guso, Director of Planning and Zoning, Grand County CDOT Mark Rogers, Region 3 Planning Manager COHVCO John Bongiovanni, Co-Chair, COHVCO Scott Jones, Co-Chair of COHVCO and VP of the Colorado Snowmobile Association Colorado Headwaters Trails Alliance (CHTA) Maura McKnight, Director, CHTA Non-profit organizations, including Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association Cameron Stone, Head Groomer Private local businesses and other organizations in and around Grand Lake The role of the various stakeholders/partners will be to participate productively in our dialogue to identify and assess options for establishment of a proposed connector trail route, and ultimately arrive at a consensus for a proposed project plan. 3.c) Letters of Support We attach support letters from the following entities: a) Grand County Commissioners James Newberry, Gary Bumgarner, Merrit Linke b) COHVCO Scott Jones, John Bongiovanni, Co-Chairs c) Grand Lake Trail Groomers Association Cameron Stone, Head Groomer RTCA Application Form

5 Public Support: (limit to 500 words) 4. Describe level of public support to date, and any plans for future public outreach and participation. The level of public support we currently have has been partially described above under Sections 1), 2) and 3) above. In addition, as part of the preparation of the Parks, Open Space, and Trails (POST) Master Plan, the advisory committee conducted a survey of Greater Grand Lake citizens and businesses to gather public information. The survey included over 200 respondents supporting the Town working with the National Park Service and Forest Service on connector trails. As part of their Master Plan, the CHTA has public surveys indicating support throughout Grand County for increased access to motorized vehicle systems. How the National Park Service Could Help: 4. a. What are the biggest challenges and overall needs of the project? (limit to 350 words) The proposed trail project faces significant legal, policy, and procedural challenges in order to go forward. Federal stakeholders have independent policies and procedures regarding trails, recreational access, etc., which are not aligned in a straightforward way. State and local policies and regulations also exist in addition to Federal authority. Private and non-profit entities have long been frustrated by their inability to gain visibility for this project on a Federal level. And finally, any proposed new trail would likely require additional scrutiny of the proposed route to meet whatever CDOT, EPA and other as-yet unexplored requirements may exist. Gaining consensus for an OHV trail project will require addressing all these factors fairly with a view to adapting our project for success. The Town of Grand Lake is willing to spearhead the effort to establish OHV access to the ANF, but we are not currently up to speed on many of the issues. We need to establish key connections to Federal resources that will make our dialogue productive. And we need to understand the Federal, State, and local requirements that need to be met for each of the various route options available before moving forward in the process to establish a new trail. b. What type of assistance are you seeking from National Park Service staff? Please include a short description of the specific project need(s) for each of the boxes checked. (limit to 150 words for each box) Defining project vision and goals X Identifying and analyzing issues and opportunities See below X Assessing and engaging partners and stakeholders See below Inventory and mapping of community resources X Priority setting and consensus building See below Identifying funding sources Organizational development Designing community outreach and participation strategies Planning (trail, park, open space, greenway, etc.) Other Our project would require assistance under the above categories 5.b.b), 5.b.c), and 5.b.e). The Town of Grand Lake is asking for mentoring services from the NPS to help us: a) Understand the background, policy, and procedural issues surrounding the creation of a new OHV/snowmobile trail route across Federal lands. b) Assess the known options for creating the proposed trail and uncover options not yet identified. c) Develop a focused and productive dialogue with trail stakeholders that will lead to a consensus plan to create such a trail. We ask for assistance guiding us through the dialogue process. We believe that the RTCA Program is especially well suited to help us achieve our project goal. Because of its central position within the NPS, your program has access to background information, regulatory information, procedural policies, and key stakeholder contacts, all of which are critical to our project RTCA Application Form

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