4.4 - Means for Implementation |
Funding | Special Services Programs | Public Participation
Funding for the trails program should come from five sources: Federal, State, and County Government, trail user fees, and public donation. An up to date inventory of all funding sources should be maintained so that monies can be applied for and utilized as opportunity arises.
4.4.1.1 Federal
The Federal government provides money to the County through a variety of programs. Monies can be applied for under such programs as Federal Aid Urban (FAU), Federal Aid Secondary (FAS), and The Land and Water Conservation Fund.
4.4.1.2 State
The State government has a number of funding programs related to trails development. Such bikeway funding legislation as SD 325 and SD 244 should be utilized an well as other available funding sources. with the passage of the State Recreational Trails Plans program in addition to the existing State Trails and Hostels Act may be developed to provide funding assistance for local trails development.
4.4.1.3 County
Monies available through the County general fund will probably be extremely limited, if available at all. With limited County financial resources, it is apparent that State and Federal funding will play an integral role in the overall trails development program.
4.4.1.4 Trail User Funding
Although the costs of trails development are far in excess of what actual users could be expected to pay, the desirability of user funding has become evident. Where trail facilities are provided, the County should, where appropriate, charge a user fee to help offset development and maintenance costs or other costs associated with the trails program. The true value of user assistance is discussed under public participation (Ref. 4.4.3).
Several potentials exist to have trail work done at little or not cost to the County. Services of the Youth Conservation corps (YCC), Young Adults Conservation Corp (YACC), California Conservation Corp (CCC), National Guard crews and other available groups could be utilized in trails development. The employment of County residents through these programs should be sought whenever possible.
The desirability of public participation in all phases of trails programing including planning, development, maintenance, and promotion can not be overstated. An mentioned in various sections of this plant actual trail users should play a key role wherever user assistance can be obtained. The County Trails Advisory Committee and other interested groups can play a vital role in promoting volunteerism as well as actual trail use. In certain areas, volunteers have gathered on a specified "Trail Day" and have constructed or repaired miles of trails at no cost to the taxpayer. A variety of trails or trails related groups exist in the County which could provide valuable services in the trails establishment. This plan stresses that available finances should be utilized principally for the projects or project features which can not be provided through volunteerism or donation. Public assistance can even include enforcement of trails rules (Ref. 5.9) trail patrol (Ref. F.5) and general trail maintenance. Given current financial trends, the success of trails establishment in Humboldt County may largely depend on the desire of its residents to see a County trails system established.
4.4.3.1 Trails Advisory Groups
Serving as the official advisory body to the board of Supervisors, the Humboldt County Trails Advisory Committee (HCTAC) should be made an on-going group. The size of the committee should vary depending on the existence of a County staff Trails coordinator position. Should the County decide that such a staff position is desirable, the Trails Advisory Committee should be composed of nine members selected by the Board of Supervisors; one appointee each and four members at large. The staff Trails Coordinator would serve an the liason between the public and the various agencies affected by the Trails Program. Although a Trails Coordinator position may be desirable in terms of overall trails program implementation, volunteers from the public who are seriously interested in trails development have effectively performed the functions otherwise undertaken by staff. Given present financial conditions, interested volunteers from the public should be given the major responsibility for trails program implementation thus eliminating the need for a Trails Coordinator and reducing costs associated with implementation of the Trails Plan.
In the event that a Trails Coordinator is not hired, the size of the Trails Advisory Committee should be increased to eleven with the additional two positions filled by a representative from the Public Works Department and Caltrans. These two staff people should serve an essential liason function between the HCTAC "volunteer trail coordinators" and the County and State. The presence of these two staff people on the Trails Committee is essential so that volunteers will be assured that County and State personnel will always be available to provide information regarding plan implementation especially as related to various finding opportunities available through the local, state, and federal goverment. In zone Counties where staff liason personnel have not been appointed to that County's Trails Advisory Committee, inadequate coordination between public volunteers and local government has stiffled implementation of the Trails Plan.
Because the size of the Trails Advisory Committee is limited, many people who may wish to volunteer their time to promotion of the trails program may not be appointed to the Trails Committee. However, many trails related groups not affiliated with government exist which interested individuals should be encouraged to join. These groups can provide valuable input to the Trails Advisory Committee and, in turn, to the Board of Supervisors. Therefore, those people appointed to the Trails Committee should seek input and active assistance in Trails Program implementation from interested groups such as bicycle clubs, hiking clubs, horse clubs, the Northern California Trails Council (NCTC), and any other groups affected by trails establishment.
4.4.3.2 Private Sector Involvement
There are other ways besides volunteerism that the public can provide assistance In the overall trails program. The private sector should be encouraged to provide support facilities and services whenever possible. This could include such things as provision of trails related rental equipment, stable facilities with provision for boarding and rental of horses, bicycle parking facilities in shopping and work locations, etc. The options for private sector assistance are many. With such supportative participation from the business community, many facilities and services can be supplied. By providing such assistance, the business community can enhance the overall trails program and, at the same time, increase business and profit.
4.4.3.3 Trail Right of Way Acquisition
Where Trails would cross private land, the following methods may be utilized for trail right of way acquisitions:
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