Rogue River Recreation and Access Management Plan- Table Rocks Reach Jackson County, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service
Today s Agenda Welcome Project refresher Project status/timeline Overview of public input to date Small group breakouts
Introductions Core Planning Group Steve Lambert- Jackson County Parks Russ Stauff- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Susan Rosebrough- National Park Service Peter Reinhardt- Oregon State Parks Craig Harper- Rogue Valley Council of Governments Trish Lindaman- Bureau of Land Management MariAnn Koloszar- Oregon State Marine Board John Vial- Jackson County Parks Jenna Stanke- Jackson County Parks
Project Vicinity
Goals for the Plan Core Planning Team goals identified Use conflicts Public/private land conflicts River safety Adequate river access Resource protection Development capacity Connectivity Appropriate types of use Future monitoring Funding Education/outreach
Changing Uses
Vision Statement The scenic Table Rock reach of the Rogue River provides recreational opportunities for visitors and residents of the Rogue River Valley to experience the river through a network of public access sites promoting safe and responsible use of the river, protecting environmental resources, respecting private property, and sharing the natural, historical, and cultural stories of the river.
Plan Table of Contents Introduction Background Inventory and ownership Other plans of reference Scope of the Plan Level of Detail Issues Opportunities Alternatives and Recommendations River segments and management zones Overall area recommendations Public lands, description and recommendations Interpretation, Education, and Leave No Trace Management & Implementation Monitoring Safety, law enforcement, emergency response Action plan and priorities Funding
Decision Making Process Core Planning Group Citizen Advisory Group Public Land Managing Agencies Technical Advisory Committee Public Open House
Planning Reaches
Planning Segment 1- Givan Ranch to TouVelle State Park
Planning Segment 2- TouVelle State Park to Gold Ray Natural Area
Planning Segment 3- Gold Ray Natural Area to Gold Nugget Wayside
Getting Organized Rogue River Access and Management Plan Table Rock Reach Timeline Winter 11/12 Spring 12 Summer 12 Fall 12 Winter 12/13 Form planning team Develop vision & goals Stakeholder analysis & outreach strategy Develop base maps Form Technical and Citizen Advisory Groups Identify key issues Develop desired outcomes & products Information Gathering Recreation and Resource Inventory (access sites and facilities, rapids, hazards, conflicts, attractions, natural resources, etc.) Share & gather input from the community (Open House #1 (Spring 12)), develop a survey, & provide information via the website) Identify needs, opportunities & desired recreation elements Identify constraints (flood plain, land, sensitive resources, etc.) Analysis & Recommendations Spring 13 Summer 13 Where are the gaps? What are the priorities? Generate alternatives Develop design guidelines Develop Recommendations o Access site development o Interpretation and education opportunities o Resource protection o Funding strategies o Conflict management strategies Gather & evaluate public input Open House # 2 (Fall 12) Share Draft Recommendations Plan Production Produce draft plan Gather feedback on the plan Produce final plan Adoption
Online Survey Results Survey open to the public during summer of 2012 Advertised on several websites Jackson County Parks Oregon State Marine Board Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife American Whitewater Over 300 responses! Gave planning team valuable data How river is currently used Existing conflicts Gaps in services
Why are they coming?
Primary Recreation Activities Top Activities Fly Fishing Bait and Tackle Fishing Walking/ hiking Kayaking Rafting Drift Boating
Reasons Participants Recreate in the Area
What are they bringing with them?
Types of Watercraft
Where are they going?
River Reaches that Participants Boated
Put-ins and Take-outs
Were they by themselves?
Participation in Guided Trips
Guides: Put-ins and Take-outs
Did they enjoy it?
Problems Top Problems Lack of access sites Mining/dredging Garbage/litter Lack of Restrooms Human waste/toilet paper
Crowding and Conflicts Top Conflicts With miners/ dredgers Boating and anglers with each other (specifically in 3 rd reach) With power boats Alcohol
Satisfaction Level
How can we make it better?
Desired Amenities Top Needs Boating access Hiking trails Restrooms Parking area Signs
Importance of Potential Actions How important are the following potential actions are to you? 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Somewhat to Very Important Limit development/ natural environment Non motorized access (before rapids and below rattlesnake rapids) Trails (Greenway, Table Rocks, Gold Ray) Develop dayuse park
Who are they?
About the Participants
Frequency of Visits
Have they seen any changes?
Changed Behavior Since Dam Removal
Changes Seen Since Dam Removal
Key Issues Lack of access sites and amenities Safety concerns for novice boaters Presence of human waste and litter Need for trail use and connectivity Limited public knowledge of which areas are available for public access vs. private lands Increase in use and potential conflicts Presence of user made trails and sites Desire for interpretive areas Increased conflict between dredging and other recreational uses Desire to keep the area natural Desire to continue existing uses Support for the Rogue River Greenway Support for active restoration projects Desire for overnight facilities for multi-day river trips and families Need for funding for future development/maintenance
Opportunities and Constraints- Draft Alternatives Opportunities and Constraints What uses currently exist on site? What is the potential for each reach and site? What are the needs for each reach? What are the limitations for each reach/site? Alternatives A menu of options based off of responses from public input and planning group Organized by level of development Not set in stone Can be any mix of uses listed in alternatives in any shape or form
Reach One- Givan Ranch to TouVelle Key Constraints Environmental, zoning, cultural resources Givan Ranch is the only public land suitable for development Future developments at Givan Ranch need to be sustainable Givan Ranch Access Fishery and wildlife resources are outstanding Land funding restrictions Alternatives Minimum Enhance current facilities Focus on trails Medium Primitive campground at Givan Ranch/day-use amenities Non-motorized launch Maximum RV campground Mixed use boating facility
Reach Two- TouVelle to Gold Ray Key Constraints Vehicular access Public access and connectivity Funding for maintenance and operations Restoration efforts Topography Alternatives Minimum Limited day-use facilities at Gold Ray Medium Enhanced day-use facilities at Gold Ray and Kendal Bar Minimal Trails Maximum Enhanced interpretive sites and possible connection of river trails to Table Rocks
Reach Three- Gold Ray to Gold Nugget Key Constraints Access- North River Road Topography Public access to Hardy Riffle and Nugget Falls Mining regulations Development standards Environmental regulations Alternatives Minimum Largely status quo Support Rogue River Greenway Medium Possible boat in access points Acquisition and nonmotorized ramp at Hwy 234 Maximum Actively pursue access for Hardy Riffle for day-use development Mixed use ramp at Hwy 234
Project Wide- Alternatives Wayfinding and signage Rustic and sparse signage Restoration Promote active restoration efforts Restore existing human made sites as others are developed Monitoring and Management Stakeholder group Use existing data collection efforts Explore opportunities to work with commercial users Actively promote user education and protection
What s next? Review committee responses to Draft Alternatives Revise Alternatives as necessary Present Alternatives to public for comment Draft final plan based on public input Present Draft Plan for public comment Finalize plan
Breakout Stations Discussion on Opportunities and Constraints and Alternatives for each planning reach/site Gather input Think about site restrictions that may have been missed? Are there opportunities that have been overlooked? What are your thoughts on the Alternatives? Do they meet the needs that were identified in scoping session?