KELSEYVILLE >> A recreation economy for rural areas administered by the Environmental Protection Agency was recommended as a potential stimulus for tourism, and ancillary retail benefits too at the Big Valley Advisory Council meeting on Wednesday in Kelseyville.
Ben Rickelman, deputy county administrative officer (economic development) apprised constituents of the BVAC of potential grant opportunities but needs their enthusiastic support, if not volunteer participation, to bring to fruition. “It seems like a great fit for Lake County; it’s planning assistance,” he told the BVAC audience. “It’s not direct funding but it’s a god way to bring together different federal public land agencies (for support).”
He further explained the National Forest Service expressed interest in participating in this initiative as well as the Ukiah Office of the Bureau of Land Management and that Lake County also reached out to the county Tribal Nations and will continue to solicit their input on the prospect. “I was speaking with District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska, about possible trail development,” Rickelman said. “But in order to get development, you must prepare a plan and secure outside funding so, this would be a great opportunity if we we’re selected; would fly in recreation planners and consultants,” he said.
Going on, Rickelman explained Lake County would work with a consortium, which BVAC could be a part of, if interested. There would be visioning sessions scheduled and then coordinate to go after funding opportunities. “There’s also trail construction from wildfire damage, how we can coordinate that better, along with other recreation assets,” he said. “We’re proposing way finding, different signage in different communities throughout Lake County in a more attractive manner, which will explain the different recreational assets. It’s for people who live here but also to help generate tourism and support business in retail corridors which speaks to them that is part of the local economy too.”
Rickelman noted he has put together templates of letters of support and forwarded them to Joy Meerilees, BVAC council member, which she can share with everyone, listing BVAC as a steering committee member should all this come to be.”
Brian Hanson, chair, asked for confirmation there was no direct funding available, and Rickelman answered in the affirmative. “If the powers that be in Lake County feel confident, they can secure funding, then a nice plan would be put together?”
Rickelman went on that there are expected State of California trail grants becoming available in the next year. “OHV (off highway) vehicle so, that is one possibility of what could be achieved,” Rickelman added. “It takes about $100 per one thousand feet, for trail development, but you have to go through CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) regulations. And you have to go through easements with private landowners. So, having some visioning documents would help.”
This initial foray is merely a selection process to help pave a way to get seed money to design the proposed trails. One proposal would establish a hiking trail from Clear Lake State Park on Soda Bay Road linking up with downtown Kelseyville.
“The trails themselves still have to be decided upon,” Rickelman said. “Maybe a trail from the State Park could fulfill that vision of people visiting the area, and local businesses and maybe other landmarks too. So, planning could maybe secure more funding, for mountain bikes too. But I think in Kelseyville it would be primarily pedestrian trails,” Rickelman speculated.
