2000 OSCA PLAN

• Zoning Document– What is allowed where– Extensive studies

• Wildlife, Soil, Flood Plains, Habitats, Slopes, etc.

• Outlines Planning Areas– The 1200 acres of the 8,200 that can be

“developed.”

Management Implementation Plan

• Completed 2002

• SAIC –Environmental Consulting Firm

• Management goals, recommended property uses/restrictions, and resources

Programs

• From the Management Plan

– Mission Statement

• … “Provide visitors with unprecedented opportunities to enjoy nature near where they live, while protecting and conserving natural, archaeological, historical, and cultural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Program Goals

• Get Outdoors…Connect To Nature

• Provide positive, memorable experiences in the outdoors to promote long term conservation of the Backcountry.

• This generation of kids is lacking those opportunities…

Yearly Program Revenue…

Gross Net # Contacts•2010: $29,000 $9,900 3500•2011: $49,000 $29,700 5000•2012: $79,000 $33,250 7000•2013: $123,000 $53,000 9000•2014: $173,000* $63,000* Even More

*projected

HABITAT MANAGEMENT

• Right now, it is good– It’s not great, it’s not excellent…

• We have work to do

• Have owned the Backcountry for just over 4 years now.– Great strides

CONSULTATIONS/TOURS

• Over past year have developed strong relationships with:– Colorado Parks and Wildlife

• District Wildlife Manager• Area Biologist• Regional Habitat Specialist

– Natural Resource Conservation Service• Area Range Management Specialist• Area Biologist• Private Lands Biologist

– CO Dept. of Agriculture• State Weed Coordinator• Noxious Weed Specialist

DEVELOPED PRIORITIES

• Pasture Fencing• Brush and Forest Management• Weed Management• Water Development

FUNDING

Our Guiding Documents

• OSCA Plan –2000

• Management Plan –2002

MANAGEMENT PLAN

• Provides more detailed information on how to use and manage the land.– Where we put trails– Areas we protect more

• Provides guidance in its mission statement: “Provide unprecedented opportunities to enjoy nature near where they live, while protecting natural, archaeological, historical, and cultural resources.”

History of Committees

• 1989-1996-2000– Original OSCA Committee

• OSCA Plan• 2002

– OSCA Strategic Planning Committee• Developed Survey to determine possible uses for planning areas.• 2002 Survey Results

• 2010-11– Backcountry Planning Areas Committee

• Developed Community Involvement Process for possible projects in the Planning Areas• Recommended Community Survey

• 2012– Backcountry Planning Areas Advisory Committee

• Advise Board on projects related to Planning Areas• Assist with Wildcat Regional Park processes• Review future proposals and assist Board with implementation of Community

Involvement Process• Other tasks as assigned by Board

Purpose of Planning Areas

– FROM THE OSCA PLAN:

“Utilize the revenue to HRCA from the use of 1200 acres to financially support the management of OSCA and/or any other purposes deemed appropriate by the HRCA Board of Directors that benefit the community.”

Planning Areas

• Outlined in 2000 OSCA Plan• OSCA Plan included studies

– Habitats– Geology– Wildlife Corridors, uses

• Let the land “tell” how it should be utilized

• Planning Areas– Less than 15% slope– No Pine habitat– No rockfall hazard areas– No rock outcroppings– No 100 year floodplain– No “Best” wildlife areas– Good access and infrastructure availability

Planning Areas OwnershipBACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA OF HIGHLANDS RANCH: 8,200 acres or 12.8 square miles

•PLANNING AREAS: OWNERSHIP•Planning Area A: 467 acres Backcountry Homeowners Association•Planning Area B: 87 acres HRCA•Planning Area C: 191 acres Douglas County•Planning Area D: 87 acres HRCA•Planning Area E: 272 acres HRCA•Planning Area F: 34 acres HRCA•Planning Area G: 19 acres HRCA•Planning Area H: 10 acres Douglas County School District•Planning Area I : 33 acres Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Foundation•Planning Area J: 125 acres Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Foundation

– HRCA TOTAL: 499 acres (approximately 7% of total property owned by HRCA)– OTHER TOTAL: 826 acres– GRAND TOTAL: 1,325 acres 

•TOTAL ACREAGE OWNED BY HRCA:– 499 Planning Area acres– 6,755 Conserved acres– Total: 7,254 acres

Allowed Uses B-F

Backcountry Planning Areas Advisory Committee (BPAAC)

• Board established committee in 2010 • As a result of CCU

– Main Responsibilities:• Thoroughly understand the existing documents

governing the use and development of the Backcountry.

• Become familiar with the Backcountry through tours and study.

• Become familiar with Backcountry budget, Douglas County Planning, Zoning, and Development, etc.

BPAAC

• Deliverables– Develop policies and practices, in regards to

the Planning Areas, to: • Guide the HRCA in future decisions regarding

development and land use• Help facilitate the consideration of development

and land use• Seek input from Board, Delegates, and the

community• Communicate with members

Survey –November, 2012

– 90% support additional trails for hiking, biking, running, horseback riding– 72% support fishing pond– 73% support developing user fees and revenues from new programs– 74% support nature center– 68% support a ropes/challenge course– 61% support outdoor amphitheater– 62% support concerts, weddings, special events– 57% support expanded camping

– 42% No recreational amenities of any kind, leave it as is– 54% No development of any kind, leave it as is– 57% No other uses of any kind, leave it as is

– 29% College/university– 27% Cemetery/Memorial gardens– 24% Private sports training facility– 20% Sell or lease property to private entities

Community Involvement Process

• A nine step process within the HRCA– Before it goes to D.C. to their Planning

Department for necessary approvals– Seeks input from the Community

• 45 days for notification, 60 days for feedback• Details how staff should seek that feedback

– Allows for Delegates to approve or decline twice

Community Involvement Process

• Nine Steps:1. Formal proposal submitted to HRCA

2. Staff and BPAAC committee initial approval3.BOD Review4.Presentation to Delegates5.Delegate Recommendation (worth proceeding or not, not an endorsement at this time)6.BOD Review #27.Community Notification and Feedback (85 days)8.Delegate Vote9.BOD Vote

Current Committee

• Seven Member Committee– Advisory body to the Board– Resource to the Community– Experts on Community Involvement Process– Continued education on Backcountry

documents, D.C. Planning, etc.– Other duties as assigned by Board

Current Committee

• Members:– Len Abruzzo– Phillip Heiser– Rudy Lukez– Melissa Park– Josh Quist

• Currently two vacancies

Future Capital Expenditures?

•Whatever we do should promote our mission of providing unprecedented opportunities in the outdoors

•And our goal to provide experiences in the outdoors that foster an appreciation for the outdoors and promote conservation.

Development is a bad word…• Does not have to be

• Purpose of “development” is to produce revenue to further protect, manage, and enhance the rest of the property.

• Can be done with a small footprint and will be done according to community desires as outlined in 2012 Survey.

Outdoor Mecca

• DEPENDENT UPON WILDCAT REGIONAL PARK:– Ropes/Challenge Course– Covered Pavilion– Archery Range– Horseback Riding Operation– Camping

• Youth Camp revenues increase• Expansion of events, programs, rentals, races,

tournaments, etc.• Potential to allow the Backcountry to operate in the

black, fund itself, and do MORE to improve habitat in the sanctuary area.

Be the best…do more

• Goal is to create a habitat so pristine that it is used as a model of conservation, education, and wildlife conservation, while providing unique recreational and educational opportunities that not only increase the value of our homes, but distinguish Highlands Ranch from any other community in Colorado, or the Nation.