PUBLIC MEETING:

Public Input Sought for Master Plans

On Thursday, February 4, the Bureau of Land Management and Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will host a public meeting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wickenburg Community Center located at 160 North Valentine Street. The meeting will focus on introducing the Wickenburg Community Master Trails Plan and Vulture Mountain Master Plan to the community as well as soliciting feedback that will assist with future planning efforts.

Currently, the agencies are working in tandem on the projects to identify and develop a pedestrian network, create a management plan for natural areas and identify recreational facilities.

The primary goals for the two projects is to ensure existing and future trails are well connected to the towns trail system and management of natural and cultural resources.

In addition, feedback is being solicited online at http://www.sec-landmgt.com/2010wickenburg.htm. For additional information, contact Krista at (928) 282-7787 x. 2017.

Vulture Mountain

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to initiate a formal working relationship and establish a general framework of cooperation upon which a Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the Vulture Mountain Cooperative Recreation Management Area (Vulture Mtn.-CRMA) will be developed to determine the recreational uses and needs of the area; and to identify the management actions required to reach the desired outcomes of the Parties, the public, and surrounding communities. The RAMP will include the design of a recreation fee program addressing the criteria required in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) to establish standard and expanded amenity fees on public lands. After approval of the RAMP and completion of the environmental analysis, a separate agreement will be executed to establish the framework for plan implementation. Specific objectives of the RAMP include:

• Establish an appropriate managerial and physical framework for the
  collaborative management of recreation use in the Vulture Mtn.-CRMA.
• To retain the open space characteristics of the area, remaining available
  for public enjoyment in current and future generations, while ensuring the
  Vulture Mtn.-CRMA is retained in Federal ownership and including
  County's identified Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP) areas.
• Produce sustainable beneficial outcomes from public recreation
  opportunities consistent with plan decisions and the desired future
  condition identified in land use plans.
• Provide for the protection of natural, cultural, historical, and wildlife resources and the sustainability of traditional uses in the Vulture Mtn-CRMA.
• Provide for public safety and mitigate or eliminate hazards as identified.
  Strive to reduce visitor use conflicts and avoid conflicts between the
  recreational and traditional uses.
• Promote collaborative management and community-based planning.
• Combine and utilize to the greatest extent possible, the knowledge, skills,
  and resources available from the Parties.

Wickenburg Area Recreation Plan

Plan Objectives:Accommodate uses while protecting the natural and cultural values of the area.

Plan Scope: