TRAILS PLANNING

PRELIMINARY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal: Conduct a feasibility study to identify opportunities and issues related to the development of a non-motorized recreation and transportation trail and trailheads to accompany/parallel the Byway.

1. Objective: Document the physical opportunities and issues regarding locating and developing the trail such as established and proposed trails that could function as segments of a Byway trail (or to which such a trail might reasonably connect), and document conditions of the Byway shoulder and right-of-way.

2. Objective: Investigate the potential to work with outside trail interests and agencies in the region in the development of the trail.

Goal: Develop a conceptual Byway trails plan.

Objective: Develop a stand alone plan for a Byway trail in sufficient detail to provide the Byway organization with future direction. Contents would include strategic goals and objectives, a map of the conceptual alignment and linkages to other trails and points of interest in the region, and funding/partner opportunities.

Action: Document the results of the feasibility study and broadly address design and maintenance considerations.

Goal: Design and construct a non-motorized recreation and transportation trail to accompany the Byway (reluctantly, not with EDAW’s current scope of work.

Additional notes:

1. Suggested addition for trails, not sure where it goes: Stipulate where there is stock trail segregation that it be designated as "stock drive".
2. Colleen’s comments: Consensus was not to change first goal to say "multi-use", it was intended as non-motorized and multi-use for non-motorized is implied.
3. CDOT representative at meeting did not agree that shoulders are necessarily a part of right-of-way.

    

RESOURCE PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT

PRELIMINARY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal: Protect the quality, character and integrity of the intrinsic qualities of the region and communities for which the Byway was established.

1. Objective: Understand fully the nature and context of the Byway’s intrinsic qualities (both public and private) and identify available protection mechanisms so that these qualities may be properly protected.

2. Objective: Develop and implement a highly effective resource protection plan that: is comprehensive in scope, is broadly and actively coordinated among local interest groups and agencies, and, which integrates the full range of intrinsic qualities.

Goal: Enhance the intrinsic qualities of the Byway where appropriate, in ways consistent with the overall objectives of the State Scenic and Historic Byways Program, to better rehabilitate, develop, maintain, interpret, and provide accessibility to these sites and resources as appropriate.and resources as appropriate.

1. Objective: Identify opportunities and needs for resource enhancement activities along the Byway.

2. Objective: Develop and implement a coordinated resource enhancement and recovery program.

Objective: Develop standards for signage, parking, setbacks, access that would help mitigate the impacts on resource enhancements.Objective: Develop standards for signage, parking, setbacks, access that would help mitigate the impacts on resource enhancements.

Note: Some of the issues identified at the October steering committee meeting included: trash, air quality, strip development, traffic speed and volume, water quality, wildlife, signage, access control, and viewshed protection.

HIGHWAY CONDITION AND SAFETY

Goal: Provide a safe, efficient and pleasurable driving experience for both tourist and local traffic through a well designed and maintained highway system; recognizing that the primary responsibility in this area lies with the state and county departments of transportation.

1. Objective: Establish and maintain an active dialogue and ongoing coordination with appropriate contact with CDOT and the county highway departments.

2. Objective: Develop an initial inventory of Byway conditions (road conditions, shoulder width, pull-offs, passing lanes and accident records) to aid in identifying transportation-related issues.

 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Goal: Develop a strong, effective and lasting Byway organization.

1. Objective: Develop and implement an organizational structure within which roles, responsibilities and objectives are clearly defined.

Action: Investigate various models for byway organizations and develop a structure that is judged to best meet the needs of the West Elk Byway.
Action: Define the roles, responsibilities and objectives of the organization, and the mechanisms for filling positions.

 Note: The sense is that the group does not necessarily want a formal organization to serve this purpose, but rather an informal alliance or partnership of community interests.

2. Objective: Establish Maintain a strong and diverse core of committed community representatives to serve in the various Byway organization positions (on a rotating basis); people who represent the various community interests and who have a diversity of strengths and talents.

3. Objective: Establish and implement coordination mechanisms with various outside agencies and interest groups that can provide assistance or resources, or where mutually benefiting.

4. Objective: Establish and implement a comprehensive monitoring and review program to track implementation of the corridor management plan and make publicly available on the Internet.

5. Objective: Assert through consistent and positive means, the Byway organization’s rightful stewardship and leadership voice with regard to the quality and character of the lands, resources and developments within the Byway corridor.

Goal: Build a solid base of community understanding and support for the Byway sufficient to motivate active, broad-based citizen participation.

Objectives and Actions (To be determined)

Goal: Assure the long-term viability of the Byway designation and organization through a diverse and stable financial base of support, coupled with active partnering and volunteer efforts.

Objectives and Actions (To be determined)

Goal: Generally, seek to manage tourism rather than promote it.

1. Objective: Identify and coordinate with other regional tourism efforts to make the marketing goal of the West Elk Byway clear and to coordinate future activities.

2. Objective: Provide information regarding the sensitive nature of the area’s resources and attractions in any marketing and promotional efforts of the Byway organization and other regional marketing entities.

3. Objective: Integrate educational messages into the interpretive program to assist in encouraging responsible behavior.

Action: (To be determined)

Goal: Develop a marketing strategy/plan that will provide direction to guide future marketing and public relations efforts.

1. Objective: Develop specific marketing goals and objectives in order to provide clear messages to the visiting public and which respond appropriately to differing views on marketing throughout the Byway.

2. Objective: Review old marketing materials for possible updating.

Action: (To be determined)

Goal: Implement the Byway marketing strategy.

1. Objective: Use a variety of means in an effort to provide appropriate messages to visitors before and during their visit, including: active coordination with outside marketing entities, providing convenient means by which to provide visitors with brochures, maps or other printed materials which reinforce these messages, and integrate these messages into the permanent interpretive exhibits.

Goal: Provide an interpretive program to educate and inform the visiting public and local residents, in a manner that will enhance the quality of their visit, foster an appreciation for the lands, resources and communities along the Byway, and promote responsible behavior.

1. Objective: Identify initial interpretive needs and opportunities along the Byway.

2. Objective: Develop an interpretive concept plan that can serve as the overall guide to implementation of an ongoing interpretive program.

3. Objective: Continue to develop/implement interpretive materials and facilities in coordination with other Byway programs and needs and outside interests.

4. Objective: Develop and implement an ongoing monitoring program to review the effectiveness and condition of existing interpretive materials and developments, and to review the need for additional facilities and materials.