RIDGES TO RIVERS OPEN SPACENETWORI< OF THE MID-COLUMBIADRAFT ACTION PLAN

Ridges to Rivers Open Space Network of the Mid-Columbia Region

Draft Action Plan (8/6/08)

The goals of the propose<;lRidges to Rivers Regional Open Space Plan are to preserve,promote, and increase enjoymentof the unique natural, and other open spaces that areimportant to the region's communities and that draw new families, visitors, andsustainable businesses to this area.

Potential actions to achieve these goals are listed below by possible subcommitteecategories, and prioritized to represent three time frames:

1) Now = through public meetings and early success stories/demo projects2) Next = up until the Final Plan3) Future = after Final Plan

PLANNING/MAPPINGActions

1) • Establish a team with the necessary expertise to identify and implement openspace preservation strategies

1) • Research how other communities define their sense of place and how theyrepresent it to community leaders and the public.

1) • Develop an inventory of physiographic, geographic, ecological, cultural, economic,and educational features unique or special to this region (for example, Wallula GapNational Historic Landmark), and specifically identify those with recreational and naturalvalue for conservation and potential connection to other regional resources (including"priority habitats" as defined by Washington State criteria).

features (for example, the public's view of the ridges vs. the public's view from theridges; natural habitat and vegetation; trail corridors, etc.).

1,2; w/public help) • Develop a list of criteria for prioritizing landscape features forpreservation and interpretation for the public, educators, and regional marketingefforts. --acknowledge and support all open space values that define our regionalidentity

--consider criteria such as: most unique, most visible, most threatened, proximityto existing open space, proximity to other features, etc.

1) • Inventory existing community trail systems, and regional land and water trailsystems

1, 2; w/public help) • Identify gaps and potential connections between existing trails;identify potential trail corridors that link ridges and rivers with the region'scommunities

1: eXisting; 2: potential) • Identify trail heads and other trail network facilities andamenities

1) • Identify trailheads and staging areas in city centers that will connect masstransit hubs with Open Space Network trailheads and facilities.

2+) • Develop cost estimates for land acquisition, trail improvements, and other costsassociated with the implementation of the open space plan and prepare a funding plan.

1: options; 2: development) • Engage public agency experts and possibly privateconsultants to develop specific strategies for preservation and trail construction/restoration and replanting to minimize the environmental impact of trail construction andprovide for restoration of native flora in critical areas.

2: development; 3: policies) • Develop policies that provide incentives for developmentpractices that leave ridgelines and other high priority open space undeveloped, such asincreased densities off the ridges.

2: options; 3: regulations) • Consider hillside regulations that reduce visual impacts ofhillside development, for example grading standards, lower densities; building heightrestrictions, natural colors and building materials, etc.

2: options; 3: policies) • Put mechanisms in place to provide credit to developers forland dedications made and/or trail improvements installed that implement the plan.

2+) • Determine mechanisms for funding preservation, includinggrant applications;voluntary land dedication/conservation easements from property owners; city/countyfunding from general revenue sources; city/county bond measures; Conservation Futures;land trades

2) • Include a mechanism for review of the plan within a specific period after initialplan completion to monitor progress, assess the plan, and determine if new prioritiesshould be addressed.

2: strategy; 3: agreement) • Establish a maintenance and operation agreement thatallows for rapid response across jurisdictional lines

3) • Incorporate the Plan into the City and County comprehensive plans anddevelopment regulations. Work with the cities, counties and private entities topreserve these features relative to their priority

3) • Amend land use plans to identify future trail corridors that should beincorporated in future development plans for affected properties.

3) • Coordinate with volunteer organizations for donated materials, labor forconstruction of trail improvements, plantings, and related planned improvements.

3) • Design interpretive signage for open space areas and trails that uses a consistentdesign vocabulary and standards

HABITAT / CONSERVATION/ EDUCATION

Actions

1,2; w/public help) • Develop a conservation priority matrix that considers parcelattributes and landscape features that support non-disturbing recreational access,conservation of priority native habitat associations, landscape and habitat connectivity,viewshed and access for education activities, etc.

2: basics in plan; 3) • Develop gUidelines for open space acquisition and managementthat outline the issues and public use that are compatible with conserving prioritynatural habitat.

2: basics in plan; 3) • Consider the value of an "Adopt-an-Acre" program andimplement accordingly

2: basics in plan; 3) • Develop and implement a continuing "Good StewardshipProgram" focused on the Open Space Network that connects people, especially youth, to

2: basics in plan; 3) • Develop a Preservation and Education Plan for Ridges to RiversOpen Space Network areas and trails

3) • Offer stewardship programs to complement interpretation needs and maintenancechallenges

3; E-3 Group?) • Design and publish a region-wide WASL-based curriculum focusingon open space and recreation

HEATLTHI WELLNESS

Actions

2) • Connect the National and State health initiatives (GoPlay OutsideJwith localactivities emphasizing our open space opportunities.

3) • Address child obesity issues with planned events that use our trails and open spaceareas

3) • Develop an exercise network coordinating with cycling shops, health clubs andcommercial active wear distributors to establish a "What You CanDo in the Mid-Columbia Region" document with consistent language.

COMMUNICATIONS/ PROMOTIONActions

• Support the community's regional open space identity with marketing materials suchas:

3) map/guidebook, brochures, quality of life video, toll-free answering service(sponsorship arrangements can reduce costs of these efforts)

1) • Request meetings with local editorial boards to convey the benefits of openspace, and the mission of the Ridges to Rivers Open Space Network.

1) • Engage local businesses and residents by presenting information on open spaceareas at social and service clubs, churches, sports leagues, schools. Consider using othernon-traditional means of outreach

1: decision makers/partners; 2: public) • Package open spaces as a quality of life/healthy lifestyle enhancement to retain and recruit businesses and appeal to residents.

1: decision makers/partners; 2: public) • Promote the Ridges to Rivers Open SpaceNetwork as an economic amenity to attract hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses such as outfitters, tour guides, bike and boat rentals.

2) • Stage annual open space festivals and events so they become points-of-entry foryear-round experiences. (Trek's "Year of the River" Model)

3) • Provide local and state organizations, businesses, and hotels with promotionalmaterial to distribute to residents, travelers, convention and sports delegates,journalists, and those relocating to the region

PUBLIC PROCESS/INVOLVEMENT

Actions

1) • Design a public process that gives citizens multiple opportunities to be involved inthe development of the Ridges to Rivers Open Space Planthrough a variety of outreachtechniques such as public meetings, open houses, surveys, distribution of informationthrough internet, presentations to community groups, workshops with city and countyboards, councils and commissions.

1) • Define a true community identity of the region's open space network with inputfrom political leaders, businesspeople, the Community Roundtable, and citizens using avariety of public outreach strategies

1: early potential open space; 2: specific planning) • Involve property owners who will be

impacted by the plan at an early stage and work cooperatively with them to meet theirgoals as well as the goals of the plan.

Public Perception/Opinion:(through public meetings, surveys, & other forms of involvement)

• Determine the most important elements of ridges and other features (for example,the public's viewof the ridges vs. the public's view from the ridges; natural habitat andvegetation; trail corridors, etc.).

• Develop a list of criteria for prioritizing landscape features for preservation andinterpretation for the public, educators, and regional marketing efforts.acknowledge and support all open space values that define our regional identity

--consider criteria such as: most unique, most visible, most threatened, proximityto existing open space, proximity to other features, etc.

• Develop a conservation priority matrix that considers parcel attributes and landscapefeatures that support non-disturbing recreational access, conservation of priority nativehabitat associations, landscape and habitat connectivity, view shed and access foreducation activities, etc.

• Identify gaps and potential connections between existing trails; identify potentialtrail corridors that link ridges and rivers with the region's communities

• Healthy Lifestyles• Healthy Stewardship Programs• Education Programs• Festival & Events

• Coordinate with volunteer organizations for donated materials, labor for constructionof trail improvements, plantings, and related planned improvements.