Form a User-Group Recreation Task Force

JDSF will develop new relationships with the full range of groups who are interested in joint stewardship to enhance the recreational opportunities on the Forest. Staff will solicit representatives from different place-based groups, interest-based groups, recreationalists and schools for participation in a Forest Recreation Task Force or other organized capacity. The intent of the task force will be to share in stewardship, development of policy recommendations, and carry out other responsibilities regarding recreation on Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Meetings will occur at least annually. Participants may include, but not be limited to: JDSF neighbors, cyclists, equestrians, target shooters, teachers, hunters, hikers, campers, bird watchers, nature photographers, trail guide writers and event organizers.

JDSF will contact leaders of local recreation interest groups to meet as a whole, one or more times during the calendar year, with the following goals:

ƒ Recreation user groups will review recreation policies and plans, and develop survey concepts specific to their interest area. Surveys will provide feedback to JDSF staff on facilities and trails, changes needed to policies and plans, and recreation impacts from planned timber harvest and demonstration projects. Users will provide input on changes needed to address recreation user conflicts, such as conflicts between hunters/shooters and hikers; bicyclists and equestrians; campers and equestrians, etc.

ƒ Recreation user groups will help define a JDSF recreation corridor, particularly around the campgrounds and heavily-used trails, where recreation impacts will be given strong consideration with respect to state forest management activities. User groups will help define recreation attributes that should be protected within the corridor, and make recommendations accordingly, such as

1. o Measures to minimize aesthetic visual and noise impacts; and/or
2. o Designing timber management activities to improve and/or demonstrate recreation opportunities, principles, or practices.

ƒ User groups will address how to mitigate land adjacency conflicts, such as recreational shooting, off-road vehicle use, and mushroom collecting. User groups will be asked to provide input on how to reduce resource damage from illegal dumping and off-road vehicle use. User groups will be invited to participate in developing and maintaining trails and associated infrastructure such as benches, natural bridges, and erosion control structures.

ƒ Recreation user groups will help develop a recreation calendar for annual planned events. Staff will work with groups interested in docent activities, conducting tours, creating better public awareness, and a developing a recreation-based website.

JDSF Management Plan Page 117

Recreation Users Survey

As described above, the Recreation Task Force will be used to help develop recreation user survey concepts. JDSF will contract with a professional to develop and administer the surveys and to prepare a report of the results and recommendations for how JDSF might respond to the findings. The professional hired will be asked to confer with the Recreation Task Force during this process.

Develop a Recreation Plan

Using the guidance of the Recreation Task Force, the results of the recreation users survey, and the advice of the new JDSF advisory group, develop a recreation plan for the Forest that identifies short-term and long-term priorities for enhancement of recreation opportunities, including those related to the development of new recreation facilities (e.g., trails, campgrounds, interpretive sites) and the operation of existing facilities.