O REGON TRAILS SUMMIT Oregon Trails Summit 2014 Rogue River National Forest
OREGON TRAILS 2015: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE The 2015-2024 Oregon Statewide Trails Plan
Why do a trails plan? 2005-2014 Oregon statewide trails plan is at end of 10-year planning horizon. RTP regulations require states to have a plan in place to remain eligible. Need for an administrative framework to identify and determine level of assistance for trails of regional significance. Need for developing a designated structure for water trail development. Need to establish a review process to identify potential Scenic Waterway corridor additions. Need to update ATV and RTP grant program evaluation criteria.
Statewide Survey: State scale highest priority need for: Dirt & other soft surface trails & paths (3.8) Public access sites to waterways (3.5) Nature & wildlife viewing areas (3.4) Children s natural play areas (3.3) Picnic areas & shelters for small visitor groups (3.3) Off-street bicycle trails & pathways (3.3)
Please rate the importance of funding need... NEED WITHIN UGBs AVERAGE SCORE (1= not needed at all, 5= most needed) Community trail systems 3.60 Children s playgrounds 3.56 Acquisition of trail corridors & ROWs 3.34 Trails connected to public lands 3.34 Public restroom facilities 3.30 Picnicking/ day-use facilities 3.29 Children s natural play areas 3.22 Urban bike routes 3.21 Trails connecting communities/ parks 3.20 Acquisition of parklands 3.19 NEED OUTSIDE UGBs AVERAGE SCORE (1= not needed at all, 5= most needed) Group campgrounds & facilities 3.86 RV/ trailer campgrounds & facilities 3.69 Public restroom facilities 3.69 Tent campgrounds & facilities (car camping) 3.60 Group day-use & facilities 3.55 Acquisition of trail corridors & ROWs 3.46 Picnicking/ day-use facilities 3.43 Trails connecting communities/ parks 3.25 Cabins & yurts for visitors 3.23 Water trail routes 3.23
Separate, but concurrent planning components: Motorized trails (including snowmobile trails) Close-to-home non-motorized trails Statewide significant non-motorized trails Water trails Scenic Waterways
Core Planning Components Trail advisory committees Regional planning approach Web-based survey of Oregon recreation providers Regional issues & trail identification workshops Identify top statewide trail issues & strategic actions Summarize SCORP trail-related survey findings Statewide trail user surveys Develop RTP & ATV grant evaluation criteria
THE 2013-2017 OREGON STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN Core Planning Components Trail Planning Regions:
Core Planning Components Regional Issues and Trail Identification Workshops: 14 locations Day-time public provider sessions Night-time general public sessions
Regional Issues & Trail Identification Workshops: For motorized, snowmobile, close-to-home, & water: Identification of regional issues Identification of regional needs Identification of trail development opportunities For regional significant non-motorized: Gather information about existing and proposed trails of regional significance For Scenic Waterways: Identify potential river corridor additions to the Scenic Waterway Program
Regional Issues & Trail Identification Workshops: Trails Planning Region Workshop Location Date Public-Sector Provider Session General Public Session Week 1 1 Lincoln City Monday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 2 Salem Tuesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 3 Portland Wednesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 4 Eugene Thursday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm Week 2 5 Coos Bay Monday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 6 Rogue River Tuesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 9 Klamath Falls Wednesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 8 Bend Thursday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm Week 3 10 John Day Monday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 11 Burns Tuesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 11 Ontario Wednesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 10 Baker City Thursday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm Week 4 7 Pendleton Monday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm 7 The Dalles Tuesday 11 am - 4:30 pm 6 pm - 8 pm
Core Planning Components Summarize SCORP Survey Findings: Demographic profiles Participation estimates Needs assessment scores Class I IV ATV Snowmobiling Walking on local trails Day hiking on non-local trails Backpacking Jogging on trails Horseback riding Bicycling on unpaved trails Bicycling on paved trails White-water canoeing White-water kayaking White-water rafting Flat-water canoeing Flat-water sea kayaking Flat-water rowing, stand-up paddling
Core Planning Components Statewide Trail User Surveys: Motorized trail users (Classes I-IV) 200 completes for each of the 11 planning regions = 2,200 completes Non-motorized trail users (Close-to-home and regional nonmotorized trail users) 150 completes for each of the 11 planning regions = 1,650 completes Non-motorized boaters (water trail users and Scenic Waterway corridor identification) 150 completes for each of the 11 planning regions = 1,650 completes Snowmobile trail users 350 completes at the statewide level
Statewide Trail User Surveys Include questions related to: Trail issue priorities Grant funding priorities Level of satisfaction with current facilities & services Trail type and construction preferences Barriers to participation
Statewide Trail User Surveys Economic Impacts To Local Communities: Motorized trail use (Class I-IV) Snowmobiles use Dispersed-setting non-motorized trail use (hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing) Non-motorized boating (flat-water and white-water)
Four Separate Survey Questionnaires:
Recreation Provider Web Surveys Top statewide issues Funding need
Scenic Waterway History 1970: Scenic Waterway Act: Preserve, protect & enhance Oregon s outstanding waterways Free flowing character Scenic, natural, recreation, fish and wildlife values Protect private property rights
Current Scenic Waterways 20 SSW which add up to around 1,150 miles or about 1% of Oregon s waterways There are also ~ 40 National W&S rivers
Act declares that the highest and best uses with scenic waterways are: Recreation Fish Wildlife
Act also mandates that the free-flowing condition of the river is maintained in quantities needed for these uses (rec/fish/wildlife)
Senate Bill 401: Directed OPRD to study certain waterways for consideration The listed (30) waterways focused on areas with increasing interest in suction mine dredging The bill was still in committee upon adjournment Budget note added to draft OPRD budget bill, in house version but not in bill when passed Senate and signed by Governor Governor asked OPRD to study 3 segments/biennium for eligibility for potential inclusion into the program
Outreach to identify potential study corridors: Statewide non-motorized boater survey Web-based survey of recreation user groups and other interested parties Regional workshops
Project Timeline