MV Open Space Committee Tour Disposal Lands

By Vernon Robison
Moapa Valley Progress Published Sept. 23, 2009

The members of the Moapa Valley Open Space committee met on Wednesday, September 16 to tour key sites in BLM disposal area on the east bench of the Valley and to get a sneak peak at a draft plan for the disposal area. The group was guided by representatives of EDAW, a company hired by Clark County to complete the study. In addition to local committee members, representatives from Clark County,

Drew Stoll of NDAW, points out features on a map to members of the local Open Space Committee, County representatives and BLM officials during a tour of local BLM disposal lands.
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and regional conservation groups were in attendance. Bob Ross, the Field Manager of the BLM Las Vegas Field Office travelled to Overton to take the tour and discuss the plan. The tour took the group out into the disposal area. The first stop was at a hilltop near the Logandale Water Tank just east of the Fairgrounds. There they got an overall view of the 11,460 acres of BLM dispoal area which spread out to the north and south. Later the group travelled to a spot just north of the Bowman Reservoir to a site which is being proposed in the draft plan as a managed open play area for OHV use.The formal planning process began last year. EDAW representatives met with members of the local committee and held a number of public meetings to get input. They spent a great deal of time studying the area on the ground as well.The resulting draft plan presented to the committee last week contained three main sections. The first was a detailed inventory of the 11,000 acres being studied. Next was an assessment of the various elements and resources of the land. These included full assessments of slopes and drainage, habitat, cultural resources, scenic value and suitability for development. Also included was accounting for existing trails, planned land uses and utility right of way corridors. Finally these elements were overlaid to form the basis for a cohesive plan.

In the draft plan the disposal land was proposed to be divided into three types of use. The first was areas most suitable for development. These comprised most of the land between the southern edge of the Bowman reservoir and the north border of the Overton Wildlife Management Area.The second proposed land use type is called "Passive Open Space areas" in the plans. These would be areas that; because of cultural resources, sensitive habitat, scenic value or just rugged terrain; were considered less suitable for development or even closely managed recreation. Included in this second group were the rocky mountain region at the head of the Valley on either side of Hwy. 169. The plan recommends a request to BLM to simply remove these areas from the list of disposal areas.The third land use type was termed "Active Open Space". This was area set aside for specific recreational uses. The area of Bowman Reservoir was included in this group with proposals made for non-motorized trails and limited recreational uses at the reservoir. Also the hilly terrain area just east of the high school was proposed as a recreational open space because of its scenic value and its traditional use by runners, equestrians and hikers. Finally, the plan proposes the dedication of a large OHV play area in the clay hills just north of Bowman Reservoir. This was done in the hopes that it would provide a place for higher impact OHV use such as jumps, stunts and higher speed use; and discourage that type of use elsewhere. Other strips of "Active Open Space" are also proposed within the developable area. Non-motorized trails divide up these vast developable lands into loops. These trails would connect to a trail that would run the full north-south length of the disposal area along the foothills of the mesa. OHV trails are less frequent within the disposal area. Rather the plan is focused on providing access for OHV users from the interior, through the disposal area, to the open public lands beyond. The plan proposed that routes like existing Mormon Mesa Rd and the power line corridor from Logandale, be retained as OHV trails. These type of trails would connect to a main north-south routre along the edge of the mesa. EDAW representatives emphasized that the plan was being made to accomodate full development of the disposal area. "Some residents might look at this and feel that they have lost a lot of existing OHV trails," said Jeremy Call of EDAW. "But development will bring that loss anyway. This plan is trying to bring a better system and keep access to public lands further out."To conclude, Call also recognized that there would be challenges in the full implementation of the plan. Firstly, in releasing the land, the BLM is aiming to pass the role of management over to developers or other local government agencies. This raises the question of who would finally manage the areas of "Active Open Space" that the plan proposes. Call also acknowledged that developers that eventually bid on and purchase the lands would become private owners of now public lands and, thus, not necessarily bound to adhere strictly to the plan. "This document is just a plan," Call said. "It won't drive the development process. But it should inform that process."A public meeting to obtain broader input from the whole community on the draft plan is currently being scheduled for later next month. Keep an eye on the Progress for more information or visit www.moapavalleyopenspace.org.

Public Comments on the Plan so far send us yours

Here are a couple of comments - please send me yours - Dave Carlson Project Manager
dcarlson@co.clark.nv.us

“Reduce the development area space east of Bowman and Overton Airport and both sides of Mormon Mesa Road – keep it recreational. If dotted with subdivisions and/or residential, it will then become an undesirable area a la Red Rock Canyon or St. George. The areas designated contribute to the beauty fronting the overall look of the Mormon Mesa Valley! The scenic beauty once overdeveloped will negate the unmeasureable contributions of the beauty here. Once gone it is gone! There is plenty of open space surrounding Moapa Valley Blvd.” [for development].

“While I know it is unrealistic to expect nothing to happen, both my husband's and my preference is to conserve as much of the disposable land as possible. If development eventually occurs, we would prefer to see large parcels and fewer homes done in a ranch-style type of set up over the usual concept of the more the better that normally takes place. It would be a crime to see 1000's of homes all on top of each other. There should be lots of open space/green space areas designated. If, to achieve this goal, it means "creating" more environmentally-protected areas, we are both for that.”

MV Open Space Draft Plan Presented; Public Input Sought

By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley ProgressPublished June 3, 2009A public meeting was held on Wednesday, May 27 to update Moapa Valley residents on the progress of an open space masterplan that is currently underway and to get community input on it. The Moapa Valley Open Space plan, which is being conducted by land planning consulting company EDAW, will give a loose framework for the future development of 11,000 acres of BLM disposal land on the eastern bench of the lower Moapa Valley.

EDAW representative Jeremy Call stated the goals of the meeting to an audience of about 30 people. "This is a beautiful area and I have become very fond of it," Call said. "But I don't live here. You do. It is important that we plan for this land the way that you want it. You'll have to live with it when we are all finished."Call said that he had sought feedback from many local individuals and groups on what the goals of the project should be. "We have heard comments on a number of elements come back again and again from you," Call said. These goals included protecting important natural habitats and viewsheds, maintaining access to federal lands, identifying specific areas appropriate for off highway vehicle (OHV) use, identifying areas for future development and developing strategies for protecting, conveying and managing open space.

Driven by these goals, Call said that his group had worked to develop a model for specifying land use in the BLM disposal area. Carefully studying the land's topography and resources, they identified areas that were less suitable for development and areas where development would best occur. In doing so, an inventory of the land had been done in several different topics of interest, Call said. A biological assessment had been made to recognize land areas that contain a large number of sensitive plant and animal species. A scenery assessment was completed to quantify the land in terms of its scenic value and to identify the lands that should be preserved as viewshed areas. The topography of the land was also carefully examined to identify areas with steep slopes that would not be ideal for development. An inventory of trails in the area was taken in the disposal area as well as the BLM lands beyond on the Mormon mesa.

The study also accounts for county maps that show planned land use and transportation elements projected for the area. An inventory was also taken showing all existing utility right-of-ways as well as any pending applications for rights-of-way. This included existing power lines as well as large tracts of land on the Mormon Mesa that have been filed on for a possible future solar power generation plant.

Finally the study took into account feedback from the public on land that was considered valuable enough to keep open. Call listed the areas that had appeared in many of the public comments. These included the hills on the north end of the valley that formed what Call termed the "gateway to the community". Also on the list was the Bowman Reservoir area, the Mormon Mesa and various washes. Also included was the request for an OHV use area which has been set aside specifically for free OHV use.

Taking all of the data and input, Call said that his group had come up with a draft concept plan for the Open Space plan. The draft concept divided the 11,000 acres into areas of several different general uses. The first division was called Core Open Space. The draft plan suggested that this land remain open because of some element(s) that made it less suitable for development. These elements might include sharp slopes and rough topography, flood control issues, historical and cultural significance or the existence of endangered species. The next division was called Active Open Space. These were areas that have traditionally been recreation areas and had been specifically requested by the public to remain that way. A large block of land just north of Bowman Reservoir was identified on the draft plans as an open OHV play area. Another area in the hills just east of the high school was set aside because it has traditionally been used as a cross country 5K running course. Other similar areas were set aside for recreational purposes.

The arterial transportation network was also included in the draft concept. This included all of the main arterial streets currently planned for on the County transportation element. Included in this is a valley bypass highway which would begin at Lewis Ave. at the south end of Overton, pass through the BLM disposal land and connect with the state highway north of the Bowman Reservoir. Another alternate route included in the transportation element would travel north from Yamashita Street and connect with the I-15 at the Carp/Elgin exit.

Trails were also a major component of the concept plan. A network of non-motorized trails were pencilled in which connected existing developed area with the future developments within the disposal lands. Motorized trails were also drawn to get people through the future neighborhoods to the BLM lands beyond. A north-south motorized trail access was also proposed.

After these open space areas had been marked off on the map, all that was left was considered as the future development areas. This allowed for only about 25% of the whole 11,000 acres to be developable, a total of about 3,000 acres. County project manager, Dave Carlson, stated that this would be a challenge. "If the land goes to auction as it is there is no way that a developer is going to dedicate 75% of the land he just bought to open space," Carlson said. The only hope for that would be for the county to go in as a public entity and acquire rights to the proposed open space areas prior to the land sale, Carlson said. "So once the planning process is complete, if the Town Board approves it, we then go to the BLM and try to find a way to get that done," Carlson said.

Carlson concluded by saying that the planning process was still far from over. As EDAW continues with that process, public input in the plan is vitally important to make sure that the final document accurately presents the community's wishes, Carlson said. Information about the plan along with detailed maps are available at www.moapavalleyopenspace.com. The public is welcome to review this information and provide feedback there.

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Workshop Held To Discuss Area Trails System

By Vernon Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
Published April 29, 2009
http://www.mvprogress.com/2009/17/trails

A public workshop was held on Thursday, April 23 to discuss the ongoing Open Space and Trails planning projects. There are currently two separate studies underway to plan the use of public lands and trails in and around the lower Moapa Valley community. The Open Space study, being conducted by EDAW Inc., focuses on a future network of open space and trails in the BLM Disposal Area on the eastern bench of the lower valley. A second study, the Moapa Valley Trail Study, is being led by Alta Planning and Design and focuses on a trail system within the private, developed portions of the community.

Local residents gather round to give input on a set of maps showing different concepts for a trails plan for the community. The public was invited to a workshop last week dealing with the trails and open space planning process which is currently ongoing.

At Thursday's workshop, Mike Rose of Alta Planning began by presenting findings from a recent community survey dealing with trails. "We took a User Needs survey to see what does the community want in a trails network," Rose said. The survey was conducted between January 22 and April 16 and included 121 responses received over that period by members of the public with a variety of different trail use interests, Rose said.
The survey asked what types of trails respondents were interested in seeing. Multiple answers were allowed. Walking trails were the most in demand with 75% of respondents showing interest; 66% were interested in ATV/OHV trails, 42% in bicycle trails, 33% in equestrian trails and 28% in running/jogging trails.
About 31% of those interested in walking trails stated that they currently use Moapa Valley Blvd as a place to walk. Many expressed concerns about safety on the highway where there are no sidewalks. Many expressed interest in additional bicycling trails. Of those who did, only 7% said that they bicycle on a daily basis. "This indicates that there would be a lot more cyclists if there were more trails," Rose said.
About 72% of those interested in ATV/OHV trails reported that they currently often cross Moapa Valley Blvd to access trails. Many ATV users expresed concerns about losing access to areas that they currently enjoy.
Of those responding with interest in equestrian trails, all reported owning two or more horses. About 70% of them reported that they begin their trail rides from their homes. "It is important to them to be able to keep that kind of access to the area," Rose said.
When asked what kind of amenities they would like to see on the proposed trails, Moapa Valley residents stayed with the basics. "Most of the amenities that they selected dealt with just having the trails," Rose said. This included things like trail connections, wide shoulders, regular maintenance and connections to parks. "There weren't a lot of high end amenities listed, probably because you don't have any trails right now," Rose said. "If you had trails, we might start seeing more of the higher end amenities being requested. But the message seemed to be just - we want trails!"
Rose showed a map of a preliminary concept that his group had developed for a trails plan and asked for input.
The concept began with the Muddy River Flood Channel being a linear spine down the middle of the area. From there, non-motorized trails running east and west would connect to other smaller trails and loops. "This way it would be possible for people to go for a walk from their home and take a different loop almost every day of the week," Rose said.
Further north and south, on the perimeters of the community, motorized trails went out from the central spine. A separate north-south spine for motorized use was being looked at along the railroad tracks. Rose stated that his group had contacted the railroad to discuss adopting that trail as part of the railroad right of way. The railroad officials had expressed concerns about safety and liability. But Rose said that discussions were still ongoing.
The Open Space planning portion of the meeting also focused on trails. Representatives from EDAW presented an initial concept that was also proposed for trails in the BLM disposal area. This included both motorized and non-motorized access to the area.
The concept had a non-motorized north-south corridor on the eastern edge of the community bordering the BLM land. This would provide a scenic alternative to the Muddy River trail in the valley below.
Motorized trails would provide and maintain access across the BLM disposal lands and connect to areas to the east beyond the disposal lands and to the west to the Logandale trails area. In addition, the concept would provide a large open OHV area northeast of the Bowman Reservoir where ATV users could ride free within that area.
The two planners stated that they are working together to ensure that the two plans can interface with each other. Additional information on the Moapa Valley Trails plan is available at http://moapavalleytrailstudy.org./http://. Information about the open space plan is available at http://www.moapavalleyopenspace.org/.

NEXT MEETING - IMPORTANT AGENDA!!

Hello Everyone - Time Marches On

I read a tattoo on the back of an adventurous man in his 40's - he was a character for sure - who had made a small fortune in the window washing business in London. He was taking a break from kayaking in Marlborough Sound, New Zealand the message on his back read- "Time and Tide Wait for No Man". We are reaching a point in the study where decisions will be made that will not be easily reversed. This is the time for your input - in two-three months - it will be too late.

At our next public meeting at the Community Center on April 23 we will begin the process of designing a trail system that will serve as a significant basis for shaping the areas that will be preserved as open space as disposal lands are developed.

You are the stewards of your future and of future generations that will live in the valley. If you haven't been involved in the past that is OK however now is the time!

As project manager and a community supporter, I would like you to make the best use possible out of this effort. The BLM funded this study ($200,000) - this money will not be available again - you as a community have a wonderful opportunity to define your future - please take advatage of it.

Respectfully,
Dave Carlson dcarlson@co.clark.nv.us

Here is the agenda for the meeting

6:00 Welcome

6:10 Trail User Survey Results

6:30 Regional Trails Concepts and Connections
· Summary of EDAW, ALTA, and County Trails Charrette

7:00 Trails Analysis Summary for the BLM Disposal Area
· Summary of Stakeholder Comments Related to Trails
· Field Work
· Updated Map
· Trail suitability Model

7:15 Overall Trails Concept Plan for the BLM Disposal Area
· Trail Plan Objectives & Guidelines
· Trail Corridor Concepts

Alternative Power Line Alignment: by Tony Rico

Hi Dave,

Although I don't have any official capacity to suggest additional ideas about this issue, I have attached your map with some text and graphics I added explaining another idea(s) of how to lessen the impact of new power line rights of way needed in/near Moapa Valley.

I suppose there is some resistance to my suggested alignments due to the need for and extraordinary governmental burdens of completing new Environment Impact Statements/Studies that would be required to execute my alternatives. I know there would be additional cost and time too. But, I don't believe a "path of least resistance" approach is the best planning policy for Moapa Valley. We've seen the negative impacts of what this mindset did in other areas of unincorporated of Clark County as it pertains to planning. I suggest we take our time and do it right for the long term while allowing for new growth and development of additional solar generation stations on top of Mormon Mesa.

See what Bright Source Energy is doing and has planned for Mormon Mesa:

http://brightsourceenergy.com/projects/ivanpah

This is the same type plan they have for 2,500 acres on the Mesa. I'm sure they are not going to be the last company to want to build up there. Whether or not other companies do what BrightSource does on top of Mormon Mesa I think my suggestions make sense.

Just some thoughts. Thanks for your time and work on this issue for our valley.

Respectfully,

Tony Ricco

Comment on Tony's idea: by Jeff Sommers

I have reviewed the proposed map submitted by Tony Ricco and I would like to add my input that this make sense. Let’s take some time and get this right the first time.
Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff L. Sommers, President
Coldwell Banker Wardley Real Estate
7670 W. Lake Mead, Ste.100
Las Vegas, NV 89128

Larry talks about Open Space

Alice Crites Talks About Open Space

Project Manager Update 4-3-09

see the map below

BLM Right-of-Ways - New Proposed Electrical Line Map

BLM Proposed Right-of-Way and New Proposed Electrical Line Map
(click on image to see larger map)

Valley of Fire Planning Meetings May 6-7

We recieved a request from Valley of Fire to post this announcement on our site......Here is a State Parks project that may be of interest.

Getting Started...Internet Survey
We are kicking off the planning process by posting park information,
issues and suggestions for management on the Park website:
http://www.parks.nv.gov/masterplans/status.htm


Ø On this website we have described the issues that the park is facing today and ask for input on potential management strategies, ideas and solutions.
Ø Our goal is to reach as many people as possible in the next few months; bringing together ideas from subject experts, special use groups, and community members to develop ideas on how to improve Valley of Fire State Parks’ natural, archaeological resources and recreation opportunities.
Ø In order to be financially efficient as possible, the Park is utilizing the internet to disperse and collect information for this plan as much as possible.

INITIAL TRAILS RECONNAISSANCE COMPLETED

Would you have guessed that nearly 100 miles of trails already exist in the 17-square mile BLM Disposal Area? Most of these trails were created with little forethought. One goal of this project is to develop an official trail network – one that is more sustainable and coherent while still providing the experience that OHV, equestrian users, and hikers desire. On March 11-13, the project team traversed the existing network to understand travel patterns, issues, and opportunities. As reported by Drew Stoll, EDAW’s OHV expert:

• Most soil types are good for OHV use and have little soil erosion.
  
• Areas with steep grades and soft sand should be avoided for trails due to their erosion potential and difficulty to climb.
  
• Trash from illegal dumping, wind, practice shooting, and objects thrown off Mormon Mesa detract from the recreational experience.
  
• Areas close to neighborhoods have a higher density of routes. Many new trails start at the end of paved neighborhood roads.
  
• Major barriers include Interstate 15 and SH 169. SH 169 can be crossed with OHVs, but safe crossing locations are important and should be identified. There is a box culvert under Interstate 15 at Weiser Wash that could be used as a crossing if improvements were made.
  
• Washes are used extensively as travel routes. There is less natural vegetation found in washes with routes. Washes are attractive to ride in due to the mystery they provide by being enclosed in a very open landscape. Routes can be erased or badly eroded in washes during heavy rain events.
  
• Many roads/trails were created by utility companies to follow power lines. These utility roads are straight, lead to higher speeds, more woops, erosion, and are less attractive and recreational. The utility roads are typically 12 feet wide.
  
• Most trails are about 8 feet wide.
  
• Trail braiding is limited to areas that are flat (in washes) and areas that are used as play areas. OHV riders create new routes to climb out of washes when the route is badly eroded or becomes too steep.
  
• There are no route signs, maps or information displayed in the project area to direct behavior, nor are there maps available at local agency or OHV businesses about appropriate routes to follow.
  
• The area northeast of Bowman Reservoir is used as an open play area and provides outstanding land form for this activity. The soils in this area have a lot of clay and support little vegetation.

Soils in this area become extremely sticky and slippery when wet. Users have created jumping ramps with plywood, carpet and other materials.

STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS A SUCCESS!

We believe that the best way to prepare the open space plan is to listen. The project team conducted phone, in-person, and small group interviews with over 50 individuals between March 1 and 13, 2009. The interviews were designed to 1) assess support for the project, 2) identify issues, 3) and request information. Interviews were conducted by Dave Carlson (Clark County), Jeremy Call (EDAW), Drew Stoll (EDAW), Kimberly Karish (EDAW), and Alan O’Neill (Outside Las Vegas). Stakeholder interviews were structured with a standard agenda and consistent list of questions, while allowing for flexible dialogue as warranted based on the interests, experience, and role unique to each interviewee.

County staff and the Moapa Valley Open Space Plan Committee helped identify individuals to interview. The project team held at least one interview session for each of the following stakeholder groups.

• Recreationists and User Groups
  
• Conservation Groups
  
• Development and Business Interests
  
• Resource and Land Management Agencies
  
• County Staff
  
• Political Stakeholders

Over the coming days, we’ll be reporting on the common themes heard through the interviews.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

As reported in the Moapa Valley Progress (see http://www.mvprogress.com/2009/10/openspace), the Open Space Committee is asking for your feedback as they develop the Open Space Plan. Several of you responded to their invitation by participating in a workshop at the Overton Community Center on Wednesday, March 11. A dozen individuals along with committee members and EDAW helped identify special places and trail opportunities as EDAW was completing the initial trail and scenery reconnaissance on the BLM disposal Area.

Over the coming months, there will be additional public meetings and opportunities to get involved. Local residents can contact project manager Dave Carlson to schedule a phone or in-person interview. Mr. Carlson can be reached at 702-455-4726 or by email at dcarlson@co.clark.nv.us.