Notes from the Inland Northwest Trails Coalition Meeting March 2007
Conservation and Advocacy:
Welcome
Introductions
Inland Northwest Trails Coalition Business:
Members were notified that the following items were to be voted on at this General Meeting.
All were approved by unanimous vote.
1. Margaret Robinson approved as Treasurer of INTC.
2. By-law change to allow checks under $300 to be written with just one signature plus an email approval.
3. Proposed by-law changes to make it easier to do business while insuring fiscal responsibility and to make it clear we want to be a non-profit organization under IRS 501C(3).
Reports from Conservation Groups:
The Lands Council http://www.landscouncil.org/ Presentation by Mike Petersen
The lands Council works to protect and revitalize forests and water sources and protect wildlife. Colville National Forest – works with Conservation NW, Colville National Forest Service, horsemen, timber industry to find common ground in recommendations for Colville National Forest through responsible management, conservation, and recreation for all users. Discussions involve a conservation & recreation plan, focusing on trails where each group of users would travel. They are also working on Panhandle, Umatilla NF. New planning rules allow limiting where motorized vehicles can go. Lands Council has legal representatives that work to protect forests, water, and wildlife. Alerts on their website give information necessary to write to legislative representatives on vital issues. Volunteer at the 838-4992 or Lands Council office, Kitty Klitzke is outreach contact.
Inland Northwest Land Trust http://www.inlandnwlandtrust.org/ Presentation by Chris DeForest.
Local non-profit organization conserving private land for natural, recreational and productive values with a goal to preserve and protect natural lands. (Not with public lands.) INLT partners with government and business and private landowners to preserve corridors and sanctuaries to protect wildlife. Limited involvement in trails, but provide open space. Some owners do provide access, some do not. Hershey property an example of those who donate easements. Nominates properties for land conservation. Can hold land until appropriate agency can take ownership. For example, they own restored wetland near Cheney until Turnbull can take it over. Reardan's Audubon Lake is a recent example for land preserved. Minimum of 20 acres with some exceptions. Office and field crew volunteers needed. Orientation March 29 at 1pm for volunteers. Contact Carole Olivier at 509-328-2939 or colivier@inlandnwlandtrust.org.
Conservation Northwest http://www.conservationnw.org/ Derrick Knowles was not able to be here.
Futurewise Building Communities. Protecting the Land. http://www.futurewise.org/ Presentation by Kitty Klitze Our mission is to make cities great places to live while protecting forests, open space, and farm land. To advocate for vital communities while increasing sustainability through better community design, transportation choices, bike and walk ability, and preservation of our natural resources. Our primary goal is to help communities create and use good land use policy on the State, County, City, and Neighborhood level. We do this through legislation, providing authoritative comments on major updates of comprehensive plans, and organizing the community to weigh in on important issues. Our state legislation this session included a Vesting bill that would have closed a loophole that adversely affects community’s ability to deal with bad developments, a Transfer of Development rights bill, Attorney’s fees bill to help neighborhood groups better afford representation, an important Agriculture Critical Areas Compromise bill House Bill 2212, and more. Some of these are expected to go through this session, some will be revived next session. Our most important project right now in Spokane County is “Vision Spokane” where we will bring together neighborhood groups, community advocates, environmentalists, developers and recreationists to create a proactive achievable platform that we can all advocate for. Having a broad base of visual community support for better land use policy would change a lot of things in Spokane County in a very big way, considering a lot of mistakes are being made for political reasons, and not because the policy framework that allows good decisions is not there. To get involved people can call 838-1965, or email me at kitty@futurewise.org
Conservation Futures http://www.spokanecounty.org/parks/conservation.asp http://www.conservationfutures.org/ Presented by Doug Chase, Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf Director and Paul Crutchfield, Special Projects Manager.
Conservation Futures is near end of the 5 year period of advisory vote. Historically advisory votes have done well. It will come up for re-election at the end of this year. Two options: renew 5 year or in perpetuity. Most recent acquisition in progress & largest is Antoine Peak property. An active supporter and nominator is Inland Northwest Land Trust. Grant funds matching 1.4 million. Many projects underway,. Examples: Purchase and sale agreements are being prepared, appraisal for Antoine Peak. Newman Lake McKinsey property – parking areas for horse and kayak/canoe are being considered this summer. Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation 2007 grants: there is funding ready (eg) for restroom at trailhead, enhancement for existing facilities. Trail Plan for Spokane County – if your trail is part of the plan, then funds through IACOR gain more points. Info on website for requests. Also election info too - 6 cents per $1000. Some funds also for maintenance. In 2005 passed a change so that 15% of $ can be used for maintenance and operation. Now working on: Ashland Estates; Palisades ‘Lowe Property’ on hold because there is no access easement.
Veterans Conservation Corps http://www.dva.wa.gov/veterans_conservation_corps.htm Presented by Seth Maier, Eastern Washington Field Coordinator.
To assist military veterans by providing volunteer opportunities on natural resources restoration projects that help protect and restore Washington’s watersheds, rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, forests and open lands. Match habitat conservation, fisheries, and trail maintenance volunteer needs, with military vets. Volunteering in natural resources has proven to be a positive therapy, for those vets recently returning and are in need of healing. There is a lack of individuals to fill the many open natural resource jobs in the state of Washington and volunteering in this field with the VCC can help with on-the-job training that can result in employment. SB 5164 (recently passed by the state Senate and is now being reviewed by the House and waiting for a vote) is designed to expand the Veterans Conservation Corps into an apprenticeship type program that can lead to certification in natural resources related fields for veterans (only such program in the U.S. that helps veterans heal and assist them towards a career field that can provide a living wage). Seth is looking for both military veterans with interest in volunteering and volunteer opportunities to help with projects. Seth can be reached at: sethmaier@hotmail.com
Street Trees Project in memory of Susie Stevens announed by Nancy McKerrow:
Tree planting Wednesday March 21, 2PM, Veterans Circle on the north bank of Spokane River by the Post Street Bridge.
Advocacy:
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington - http://www.bicyclealliance.org/ Presented by Louise McGrody.
Louise McGrody explained how to best write letters to legislators.
Short, clear, one issue per letter, name your issue or bill number in subject line.
Be specific in first paragraph.
Personalize the message, why important to you, and perhaps to community.
Be timely & send message before vote.
Follow up and say thank you if they voted for your issue, even if it fails.
Pick your battles, avoid sending too many.
Don’t CC to others, keep each message personal.
Proofread and reflect; be polite and articulate.
Louise showed the update on Fish Lake Trail, a sample letter and the 4 legislators that are on the capital budget committee where the bill is now. Inland Northwest Trails Coalition's current focus is the Fish Lake Trail.
Update by
Dan Schaffer: Funding request now in Capital Budget committee. Letter should be written to those of representatives of ours who are on the committee.
Meeting ended at 7:45PM
Update or offer corrections to these meeting notes: KJ4Trails@comcast.net
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