The Backcountry Wilderness Area Planning Committee consideration for future improvements.

1. INTRODUCTION
AND
OVERVIEW
BPAAC RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HRCA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING
POTENTIAL USES OF THE BACKCOUNTRY
PLANNING AREAS

2. BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING AREAS ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
 Founded in 2012
 Serve as Advisory Committee to Board of Directors re:
Backcountry Planning Areas
 Evaluate suitability of uses and development identified in
the OSCA
 Current Committee Members
 Len Abruzzo
 Kiel Downing
 Phil Heiser
 Megan Lindsey
 Jon Loe
 Josh Quist

3. BACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA
 8,200 Acres Land in Wilderness Area
 1,200 Acres Land in Planning Areas
 499 Acres Owned by HRCA
 20 Acres Considered for Potential Development

4. DISTRIBUTION OF LAND IN BACKCOUNTRY
WILDERNESS AREA
Distribution of Land in Backcountry Wilderness Area
Reserved Wilderness Preserve -
Development Strictly Prohibited
(7,000 acres)
Planning Areas Land Not Owned by
HRCA (701 acres)
Planning Areas Land Owned by
HRCA (499 acres)
Land Contemplated by this Report for
Potential Use (20 acres)

5. BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING AREAS

6. BPAAC 2014 DELIVERABLES
1. “Complete a Summary of the 2012 Survey Results.”
 List of uses supported for not supported by the Survey
 Analyze discrepancies in the Survey
 Analyze amenities, infrastructure, etc. needed for recreational
and non-recreational uses

7. THE SURVEY
 Sent to sample of HR Residents in late-summer 2012
 Went to 3,000 residents
 Received responses from 1,307 (44%)
 November 2012 Report of Survey Results
 Three Main Pertinent Categories:
 Potential Recreational Opportunities (10 options)
 Potential Development Opportunities (6 options)
 Other Types of Uses (12 options)
 Rank 1 – 5 to indicate Strongly Support, Somewhat
Support, Somewhat Oppose, Strongly Oppose, or
Don’t Know

8. POTENTIAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Expanded hiking, biking,
running and horseback riding
Concerts, weddings, special
events
Expanded camping Skate park
Rodeos, horse boarding,
riding competitions, lessons
Off road bike park with pump
track, cyclocross track, dirt
jumps, etc.
Golf course Frisbee golf course
Ropes / Challenge Course Fishing ponds

9. POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Outdoor amphitheater Equestrian / event center
with covered pavilion,
indoor/outdoor arena
Nature center Tree farm
Cemetery / memorial gardens Reservoir for water storage

10. OTHER TYPES OF USES
Recreation center Animal rescue / rehabilitation
facilities
Indoor ice arena Houses of worship
Baseball / softball fields Fire/police station
Soccer fields Library
Tennis courts College/university
Private sports training
facilities
Public school

11. BPAAC CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPING
REPORT
 Stayed true to the OSCA Plan objectives
 Committee objectives stated in precise language in
Report
 Main Focuses
 People – Health, Education, Involvement
 Nature – Protect wildlife and conserve land
 Finances – Generate money needed to run programs, protect
wildlife, and conserve land

12. BPAAC REVIEW PROCESS
 Began by looking at raw numbers
 Community generally divided as to whether should
be any development or additional recreation in BC
 42% support no recreational amenities of any kind
 54% support no development of any kind
 57% support no other uses of any kind
 Categories may be potentially confusing
 Recreation, Development, Other Uses not specifically defined
in the report
 Amphitheater is development but wedding recreation  both
require similar type of structure
 Golf course is recreation, but soccer fields are “other” uses

13. NO AMENETIES / DEVELOPMENT AT THIS POINT IN
TIME IS AN OPTION
 No amenities / development may be preferred by most
residents
 Social costs – residents lose opportunity to benefit from
BC
 Financial costs – HRCA assessments would have to
continue to finance BC
 $532k 2015 Operating Budget with $290k Transfer from Rec Fund
 $95k Budgeted Capital Expenditures
 OSCA Plan states general goal that land should be made
available for future recreational and educational uses
 2012 OSCA Mission and Vision support use of land for
recreation and education

14. BPAAC’S REVIEW OF AMENITIES,
DEVELOPMENT, AND USES
 Looked at percentage support received for each and
every amenity, development opportunity, and use
 Ranked according to approval by survey respondents
 Top ranked amenities and opportunities include:
 Trails
 Nature Center
 Fishing Pond
 Ropes / Challenge Course
 Amphitheater
 Concerts, Weddings, Special Events
 Support received / not received detailed in Exhibit B

15. BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES,
DEVELOPMENT, AND USES
 Discussed pros and cons of each amenity, development
opportunity, and use
 Process was challenging (and imperfect) for several
reasons:
 Categories seemed to overlap and conflict
 57% support riding competitions and riding lessons
 93% support trails, including horseback riding trails
 37% support an event / equestrian center
 Categories were not precise
 Nature center
 Amphitheater
 Considered Survey but could not rely exclusively on Survey

16. BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES,
DEVELOPMENT, AND USES (cont.)
 Each person researched a few opportunities and
brought to group for discussion
 Considered Objectives
 People
 Nature
 Finances – Very challenging. Many desirable amenities and
opportunities would not generate meaningful revenue
 Feasibility
 Able to eliminate some options immediately due to feasibility
 E.g. Fishing Pond – Could possibly add reflection pond
 E.g. Golf Course – General decline in golfing industry

17. BPAAC’S DISCUSSION OF AMENITIES,
DEVELOPMENT, AND USES (cont.)
 Narrowed list to 4 main amenities / opportunities:
 Covered Pavilion
 Ropes / Challenge Course
 Horse Facilities
 Archery Range
 Rational
 Generally supported by survey
 Proven success in Backcountry
 Opportunity to generate revenues
 Share utilities and cross-benefits
 Construction costs appear consistent with BC budget
 Aesthetics – Natural materials consistent with a ranch
 Trails should continue to be incorporated

18. COVERED PAVILION
 Higher End Pavilion
 Not specifically
contemplated by report,
consistent with
Amphitheater
 Located in scenic area,
near other amenities
 Attachable walls to
extend usage
 Multi-use facility
 Supports all other
amenities by providing
gathering place

19. ROPES / CHALLENGE COURSE
 Amenity not otherwise
immediately available
 Great revenue-
generating opportunity
 Strong support on
survey
 Opportunity to
introduce different
type of person to BC
 Support education
goals

20. HORSE FACILITIES
 Do not envision large
“equestrian” center
 Good revenue-generating
opportunity
 Existing facilities cannot
be expanded; provide
limited opportunities
 Modest barn-type
structure, loafing shed,
riding areas, and pasture
 Would create opportunity
to own horses
 Allow for expanded
classes and programs

21. ARCHERY RANGE
 Existing range has
been successful
 No room for
expansion or growth
 Range does not have
competition-distance
shooting
 Move close to other
facilities to maximize
use and share utilities

22. PHASES II & III
 Any amenities should be designed and construction
with possibility for expansion
 Additional horse facilities
 Expanded archery range to allow for competitions
 3-D archery range
 Reflection pond
 Frisbee golf

23. WHAT NEXT?
 Determine whether want to proceed at this time with
exploring development in the Planning Areas
 Feasibility study
 Present to community through CIP