Park Objectives

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Long-Term Park Management Plan

Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park

October 1, 2010

Kade M. Ferris M.S.Director of Natural Resources / THPO

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa IndiansDepartment of Natural Resources

Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation ParkPO Box 900 Belcourt, ND 58316


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TURTLE MOUNTAIN CHIPPEWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Kade M. Ferris M.S.Director / THPO

Bruce F. Nadeau Sr.Field Coordinator

Jennifer MalaterreAgriculture and Range Coordinator

Jeff Desjarlais Jr.Noxious Weeds Coordinator

Russell DavisFisheries Coordinator

Peter AzureBison Coordinator

Marlin SchroederWildlife Ranger

Clarence SchroederWildlife Ranger


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TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN OGIMAA GIIZHIG RECREATION PARK TURTLE MOUNTAIN INDAIN RESERVATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................1

Vision .................................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................................3

Park Objectives..................................................................................................................................................5

Objective 1: Protection .......................................................................................................................5

Objective 2: Outdoor Recreation .....................................................................................................5

Objective 3: Appreciation of Turtle Mountain Chippewa Culture..............................................5

Objective 4: Tourism............................................................................................................................6

Objective 5: Fisheries and Wildlife Management.........................................................................6

Park Classification.............................................................................................................................................7

Park Zoning.........................................................................................................................................................7

Priority 1: Environmental Protection..................................................................................................7

Priority 2: Resource Conservation .....................................................................................................7

Priority 3: Recreation Development..................................................................................................8

Park Concept......................................................................................................................................................9

Park Development ...............................................................................................................................9

Public Access .........................................................................................................................................9

Accessibility ...........................................................................................................................................9

Trail System........................................................................................................................................10

Information, Interpretation, and Outdoor Education .................................................................. 10Visitor Services................................................................................................................................... 10

Operations Policies.........................................................................................................................................11

Cultural Heritage ..............................................................................................................................11

Dams.................................................................................................................................................... 11

Enforcement........................................................................................................................................11

Community Involvement....................................................................................................................12

Off-Road Vehicles ............................................................................................................................12

Dog Walking .....................................................................................................................................12

Fire Management..............................................................................................................................12

Special Events....................................................................................................................................12

Implementation Strategy...............................................................................................................................13

Implementation Phase 1................................................................................................................... 13

Implementation Phase 2................................................................................................................... 13

Plan Review .....................................................................................................................................................14


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PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN OGIMAA GIIZHIG RECREATION PARK TURTLE MOUNTAIN INDAIN RESERVATION 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Located in Rolette County, the 1,313 acre Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park contains a relativelynatural landscape which includes two lakes, a diversity of natural habitats and cultural featuresand provides opportunities for a range of nature-based outdoor recreation experiences. Theproperty was designated in the 1960s as an official Park by the Turtle Mountain Tribe andBureau of Indian Affairs, and is managed by the Turtle Mountain Department of NaturalResources (DNR). Although protected for almost fifty years, no measurable facilities or serviceshave been provided, public use has not been encouraged and DNR has had a limitedmanagement presence.

Despite the lack of facilities or services, public use of the park has increased significantly in thepast ten to fifteen years, particularly in areas surrounding Gordon Lake. With this growing usehave come increasing demands for the provision of facilities and services as well as an enhancedmanagement presence. This largely unmanaged public use has also resulted in park values beingcompromised, particularly through the establishment of a large number of off-road trails, the lackof maintenance of the landscape and resources, and a number of undesirable uses which have

occurred on an ongoing basis.

To address these issues, the Turtle Mountain Tribal Council and Bureau of Indian Affairs directedthe DNR to develop a park management plan. The intent of the plan is to provide a vision for thepark and a policy framework to guide park management over the next 10-15 years. It alsoidentifies the actions necessary to support that vision.

The plan identifies five principal management goals:

1. to preserve the parks natural and cultural heritage values2. to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation that are compatible with the emphasis

placed on protecting the parks natural setting

3. to enhance public understanding and appreciation of park values4. to provide facilities and services to enhance visitor enjoyment and park management5. to ensure public access, safety, and use

This plan achieves its objectives through several means, including management of the property asa Natural Environment Park, zoning much of the property as Resource Conservation Zone tounderscore the emphasis placed on conservation, monitoring impacts of public use, and othermanagement measures.

Emphasis will be placed on interpreting the parks diverse natural and cultural heritage values.These efforts may include development of an information brochure, on-site interpretive signageand special event programming. Opportunities for outdoor recreation will largely be associatedwith activities supported by a proposed system of hiking and walking trails.

Facilities and services will be limited to the provision of public parking and pedestrian access, aninter-connected system of trails, picnic/open space areas, fishing areas, campsites and RV sites,


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and carry-in access for canoes/kayaks and interpretive/orientation information. In recognition ofthe parks classification as a Natural Environment Park, where possible facilities and services willbe located on the park periphery to minimize impacts on park values. The trail system has beendesigned to a standard that will reduce its impact on park values. As a result, motorized vehicleswill not be permitted on park trails except for approved emergency response or by DNRpersonnel for park management.


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VISION

Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park will ensure the long-term protection of important natural andcultural heritage values while providing opportunities for compatible outdoor recreation andnature-based education. The park will serve as a regional, day-use and overnight parkemphasizing high-quality front-and backcountry hiking experiences, fishing, camping, watersports, as well as other forms of extensive recreation. The provision of facilities and services willbe restricted to a level which will maintain the parks heritage values but still allow the public toenjoy and appreciate the parks natural setting. Park development will occur in areas of the parkidentified by the management plan as appropriate for the provision of facilities and services.

INTRODUCTION

The park is situated in north-central Rolette County, on lands held in trust for the Turtle MountainBand of Chippewa Indians. The 1,313 acre park property initially developed in the early 1960sby the Bureau of Indian Affairs and was acquired for management purposes by the Departmentof Natural Resources (DNR) for management as a park through PL 93-638 contract.

The significance of Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park derives from its two high quality fresh waterlakes, its relatively natural state, and its proximity to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.Despite its relatively small size, the park is one of a number of Tribal parks established for the


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protection of natural areas, representative natural landscapes, and recreational purposes. Whileprotection of the parks inherent natural and cultural values is of paramount importance, this areaof forests, lakes and streams also provides opportunities for a range of complementary outdoorrecreation activities including hiking, swimming, canoeing, boating, and fishing, as well as outdooreducation and nature appreciation.

Limited facilities or services are currently offered, and the DNR has a full-time managementpresence. The park is popular with a wide range of user groups. Public use of the park has beenlargely unstructured and has been focused on and around Gordon Lake. Trails for fishermen andhikers have been developed on an ad hoc basis over the years.

A number of other parks andprotected areas are situated nearby,including the Turtle MountainChippewa Wilderness Preserve (partof Ogimaa Giizhig), Jarvis LakeRecreation Area, Fish Lake Slaters

Beach Park, Boy Scout Camp Park,Sundown Point (Fish Lake west), andthe Veterans Memorial Park(Belcourt).

The purpose of this management planis to define a vision and managementphilosophy that will guidemanagement decisions for OgimaaGiizhig Recreation Park over the next 15 to 20 years. In addition, the plan identifies the actionsnecessary to support that vision and philosophy.

The management plan is based on the Departments mandate under the Turtle Mountain Band ofChippewa Tribal Constitution, the Turtle Mountain Game & Fish Code, and Federal Regulations.The term heritage values, as used throughout this document, encompasses both cultural andnatural environmental heritage of the Turtle Mountain Reservation and Chippewa people.


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PARK OBJECTIVES

The primary management objectives for Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park focus on protectingnatural and cultural heritage values, including: natural processes, ecological functions, andselected cultural sites; maintaining or restoring biodiversity; providing opportunities forcompatible forms of outdoor recreation; and developing opportunities for interpretive andecological education.

Management of Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park will contribute to the achievement of Tribal andDepartmental objectives of protection, outdoor recreation, heritage appreciation and tourism.Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park will also contribute to the fulfillment of the Tribes EnvironmentalGoals.

Objective 1: Protection

To protect important natural and cultural elements and values of Ogimaa Giizhig RecreationPark.

Park management will place particular emphasis on protecting both representative and rareecosystems as well as cultural heritage values and wildlife habitat that are significant in a local,regional or national context.

Objective 2: Outdoor Recreation

To provide a variety of high-quality passive and active outdoor recreation opportunitieswithin Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park, including hiking, canoeing, lake access and nature

appreciation.

The park will be managed to provide for high-

quality outdoor recreation activities such as hiking,walking, viewing, appreciation of nature,photography, canoeing, boating and fishing towhere those activities do not compromise theecological integrity of the parks natural values.

As part of the Department of Natural Resourcescommitment to maintaining ecological integrity, theplanning, design, and construction of park trailsand infrastructure will incorporate sustainabledevelopment strategies and environmentalprotection measures. Key aspects of this

ecologically sustainable design approach include planned new park development, a requirementthat new infrastructure support park goals and objectives, and the use of existing facilities andtrail alignments where possible.

Objective 3: Appreciation of Turtle Mountain Chippewa Culture

To provide opportunities for exploration, education, and appreciation of the Tribes culturalheritage values through interpretive, information, and education programs.


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Cultural heritage appreciation programs will emphasize significant natural and cultural heritagefeatures and themes relating to conservation, landscape development, flora, fauna, culture, andhuman settlement and use.

Three broad interpretive themes: Natural History, Cultural Heritage, and Parks and ProtectedAreas have been identified for Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park. These, in turn, include a numberof sub-themes that warrant special emphasis.

These themes help highlight the important role that the parks evolving landscape (defined in thebroadest terms to include physical, social, and historical) continues to play in the lives of Tribalmembers. The themes, and their many components, also celebrate the parks underlyingcharacteristic as a relatively natural area that provide opportunities for interpretation andoutdoor education programs as well as outdoor recreation activities.

Objective 4: Tourism

To provide Tribal members and outside visitors with opportunities to discover, experience,and enjoy Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park.

The park will be managed to serve both Tribal member and outside visitors. In addition, it willcomplement and enhance local and regional tourism infrastructure, opportunities and strategies, inparticular those that emphasize natural heritage themes. The park is near to several keyhighways, including US 281, ND 3, and scenic byway ND 43, making the park a suitable touristdestination.

Objective 5: Fisheries and Wildlife Management

To promote, protect, and manage fisheriesand selected wildlife species to allow forenhanced recreation, opportunities to learn,

and to perpetuate cultural aspects of fish

and wildlife to park visitors.

The park will be managed to promote soundfisheries for Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike,Yellow Perch, and other species present in parklakes. Habitat will be protected and created tobenefit fisheries, birds, waterfowl, and terrestrialspecies.

Partnerships between the DNR, local organizations, and State and Federal agencies will bedeveloped to further this objective.


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PARK CLASSIFICATION

Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park, by virtue of its outstanding natural and cultural heritage values,will be managed as a Natural Environment Park. A natural environment park incorporatesrepresentative natural landscapes with outstanding recreational opportunities. This classificationemphasizes the protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage features. Outdoorrecreational use and infrastructure development will occur within the context of maintaining thenatural character and quality of the environment.

In keeping with its classification as a Natural Environment Park, Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Parkwill be managed primarily for ecosystem protection and recreation. This will exclude exploitationor habitation adverse to the purpose of designation; and, provide a foundation for spiritual,scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentallyand culturally compatible.

PARK ZONING

Park zoning allocates park lands and waters on the basis of the importance attached to theirprotection as heritage resources and to their capability and suitability for recreational use andassociated facility and service development. Zoning defines the degree of protection,conservation, and development that may occur within respective park areas.

The DNR has established three park zoning priorities: Environmental Protection, ResourceConservation, and Recreational Development. The first two are protection oriented, while the thirdallows for more intensive development and use.

Priority 1: Environmental Protection

This includes areas that are highly sensitive or contain significant natural or historic resources that

require protection. Within these zones, interpretive, educational and scientific activities arepermitted where they do not conflict with the underlying protection objectives.

Priority 2: Resource Conservation

This includes those areas of the park containing significant natural, cultural, and recreationalfeatures and landscapes that require a high standard of conservation. This zone permits activitiesand land uses that do not conflict with or compromise the inherent natural character and aestheticqualities of the park.

The Resource Conservation Zone also incorporates and protects small, scattered sites with unusualflora as well as culturally significant sites and features that do not warrant specific designation

within an Environmental Protection Zone due to the limited land-base involved.

Planning for any activities or land uses within the Resource Conservation Zone must consider thefull range of protection options as the priority.


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Priority 3: Recreational Development

This includes areas of a park that are capable of supporting the development of facilities andservices associated with outdoor recreation activities and more intensive visitor use. These zonesare used to focus park facilities and services, as well as public use, within the most appropriatepark areas without compromising protection-oriented values of the park.

Primary ZonesOgimaa Giizhig Recreation Park


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PARK CONCEPT

The park management plan provides a framework for the conservation of broad park values, theprotection and preservation of significant and sensitive park features, and the provision ofopportunities for compatible, nature-based, recreational and educational activities, as well asassociated facilities and services.

Opportunities and issues addressed by the park management plan incorporate a review ofbackground materials, field work, consultations with the public, and comments received duringseveral public information sessions held during the winter of 2009-2010.

Park Development

Park development provides the facilities, infrastructure and appropriate opportunities necessaryto ensure appreciation and enjoyment of the park. In light of the classification of the property asa Natural Environment Park, and the consequentemphasis on the protection of park values, the

DNR and its partners will provide only limitedfacilities and services within the Park. The focus ofpark development is to provide facilities andservices that support day-use activities and short-term camping. This plan therefore includesprovision for the following facilities and services:parking and trail-head access, orientation andinterpretation information, a network of trails forhiking, walking, viewing and limited cycling, canoeand boat access to Gordon and Wheaton Lakes,swimming, and camping and picnic areas.

Wherever possible, facilities and services will be located on the periphery of the park or alongroadways. All infrastructure development must support park goals and objectives. Proposeddevelopment may be canceled or modified, and visitor uses restricted or prohibited, where it isdetermined that the impacts are inconsistent with the intent of the park management plan. Existingpark infrastructure (e.g. trails, parking areas) will also be examined to determine whether it isconsistent with the intent of the management plan.

Public Access

Public access will be provided at one clearly defined location. This entry point is located alongBIA 2 South (Gordon Lake Road).

Accessibility

The needs of the physically challenged will be considered in decisions affecting public access anduse of the Park. Where practical and feasible, access for disabled people will be consideredwhere site conditions permit. Within the park, rest spots will be located on main trails. As aminimum, in proximity to some public access points, portions of trails will be constructed to astandard that meets the requirements of people with special needs as possible.


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Trail System

A small network of trails exists throughout the Park. The greatest concentration of trails is found inthe immediate vicinity of Gordon Lake, especially on the west side of the lake. Other trails canbe found in the vicinity of Wheaton Lake.

This management plan recognizes that a properly designed and constructed system of trails canprovide opportunities for outdoor recreational pursuits which are also compatible with objectivesfor environmental protection, nature-based education and the encouragement of active andhealthy lifestyles. To that end, this plan proposes a trail system that embodies the followingprinciples:

Environmentally sustainable Constructed to accepted standards Provides opportunities for quality nature-based outdoor recreation Provides access to interpretive and educational opportunities Encourages an active and healthy life-style Provides connectivity to adjacent and surrounding communities Accommodates, where possible, the needs of people with various abilities Is non-motorized only Minimizes conflicts among different user groups Where appropriate, connects to other regional trails

Information, Interpretation and Outdoor Education

An interpretive program focusing on self-directed opportunities will be developed to facilitatevisitor understanding, appreciation, and exploration of the park and to support parkmanagement practices. The interpretive program may utilize brochures, on-site interpretivepanels, publications, self-guided trails, and special-event programming, such as tours sponsoredby the Tribal Tourism Division or offered through the DNR.

The information program will be provided by the DNR. Park promotion will be done with dueconsideration for the need to protect the parks heritage values and to sustain a quality visitorexperience. The park will not be promoted to the extent that its capacity to handle visitors in anecologically sustainable manner is exceeded.

Sites chosen for environmental education and tourism programs will be selected only after it isdetermined that limited visitation can occur without disturbing the sites heritage values. Thesesites will be monitored to determine the impact of visitation levels and to identify appropriatemitigative measures if impacts become undesirable.

Visitor Services

The primary focus of the management plan is on the protection of the parks natural and culturalheritage values and the provision of complementary use opportunities for nature-based outdoorrecreation. A basic level of visitor services is proposed to include a high quality trail system, visitoraccess nodes (parking and orientation), opportunity for canoe and boat access to Gordon andWheaton Lakes and, possibly, public washrooms. The trail system will be designed forpedestrians. Where feasible, trails will accommodate the needs of people with various abilities.


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OPERATIONS POLICIES

Park operations will be undertaken to operate the park on a day-to-day basis.

Cultural Heritage

One of the key concepts of the park is to celebrate and protect the culture and heritage of theTurtle Mountain Chippewa people. At present there are few known archaeological resources inthe park. Sites will not be actively managed except for public safety reasons or to protectresources from undue effects. Regardless of the degree of active management, all heritage siteswill be protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and other federal laws andregulations.

DNR will monitor known sites to ensure they are not subject to inappropriate uses or damage, andwill survey for unrecorded sites as dictated by project need in accordance with the NationalHistoric Preservation Act.

Dams

There is one dam within the park. This dam was constructed in the 1960s at Gordon Lakeprimarily for flood control and recreation.

Under contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the DNR must (1) carry out regular dam safetyinspections to ensure the dam remains structurally sound; and (2) be capable of operating the

dam and lake level for downstream flood controlpurposes. In fulfilling its obligations, theDepartment undertakes regular inspections anddam maintenance and repairs. An emergencypreparedness plan has been completed. It is

intended that lake levels will be maintained attheir current elevation.

Water Quality

Fortunately Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park hasno residential or industrial development in theimmediate vicinity. Recognizing that adjoining landuses could have serious impacts on water quality

within the park, the Department of Natural Resources will work with the Turtle Mountain EPA andother partners to ensure that water quality within the park remains as pristine as possible.

Enforcement

Because of the rural setting, along with anticipated higher use levels and associated managementissues, it is expected that the park will require a level of enforcement that is higher than thatwhich may normally be expected of a natural environment park. To that end, DNR will conductenforcement that focuses on protecting park values and managing park users. DNR will also workwith BIA Police to ensure park objectives and public safety objectives are achieved.


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Community Involvement

An important element in the development andoperation of Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park willbe the involvement and participation of the entireTurtle Mountain Chippewa community and otherstakeholders. Education and cooperation will betwo of the keys to minimizing conflicts betweenpark users and reducing damage to the park. DNRwill work with the Turtle Mountain Tribal Council,community groups, the Bureau of Indian Affairs,and stakeholders to promote the wise andsustainable use of the park.

Off Road Vehicles

Off road vehicles have caused significant environmental degradation in certain areas of the park.

In addition, the use of motorized vehicles is not consistent with park management objectives,especially the emphasis on protection and non-motorized travel. Consequently, except for parkmanagement and emergency purposes, off road vehicles will not be permitted in the park.

Dog Walking

The DNR will require dogs in the park to be on a leash and under the control of its owner at alltimes. This provision is intended to minimize (1) potential negative impacts on wildlife; (2) conflicts(both real and perceived) with non-dog owners; (3) conflicts between off-leash dogs; (4) theamount of dog excrement in the park, and, fecal contamination of park waters.

In an effort to protect the parks natural attributes, including wildlife and water quality, and to

minimize potential problems with off-leash dogs, the Department will undertake an educationalprogram to inform the public about the leash requirements.

Fire Management

As part of fire suppression efforts, all fires must be contained within a DNR approved fire ring.All uncontrolled fires will be aggressively fought by the DNR and the Bureau of Indian AffairsForestry and Fire Control.

Special Events

The DNR will allow special events by permit only. Before granting a special event permit for

Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park, proposed activities will be screened for compliance with thepark management plan and assessed for potential impacts. Only those events which areconsistent with the intent of the management plan will be considered.


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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

This park management plan will be implemented in three phases. The pace of implementation willdepend on available financial and human resources. The Department of Natural Resources willbe the lead in facilitating implementation of this plan, while other potential partners may play arole in implementing specific projects.

Before implementing park development, mechanisms will be put in place to monitor visitor impactson the parks heritage values. This monitoring will be used to help in designing visitor managementstrategies.

The goal of park development is to establish an operational park that provides at least a basiclevel of visitor facilities and services and is managed to ensure visitor safety and the protection ofpark values. Until Ogimaa Giizhig Recreation Park is 100% operational, the Department willensure management and operational decisions are consistent with this plan.

Although the plan has a 20-year time frame, it will be reviewed every 5 years or as otherwise

required. In this way, adjustments can be made should conditions change substantially, or ifsignificant new information becomes available.

Implementation - Phase I

Phase I of park development is intended to address key public safety issues, ensure protection ofpark values, acquire the resources necessary to implement park development and establish formalarrangements to use adjoining lands for park purposes.

1. Identify and mitigate potential public safety hazards (e.g. damaged trees adjacent topublic use areas, fall hazards).

2. Establish ecological and cultural benchmarks and implement a monitoring program todetermine park visitor impacts.3. Identify levels of support (funding, staffing, etc.) adequate to address ongoing issues,

including asset and visitor management and service delivery, in each of theImplementation phases.

4. Develop and implement enforcement.5. Continue operational status Gordon Lake dam.

Implementation - Phase II

Phase II is intended to initiate delivery of facilities and services (access, orientation andinformation, trails, etc.). Implementation will depend on availability of resources. Beforeimplementation, all development proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they are consistentwith the intent of the management plan.

Initiate a phased development of the hiking and walking trails and associated facilities andservices.


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1. Develop new camping, RV sites, and picnic areas.2. Develop the following park orientation information:

a. a park brochureb. an orientation kiosk and associated information at vehicular access pointsc. orientation signage at key pedestrian access points

PLAN REVIEW

The vision and objectives of this plan are intended to guide the management of Ogimaa GiizhigRecreation Park for the next 20 years. The Department of Natural Resources will undertake areview of the park management plan every five-years, or sooner if required. In considering anysignificant deviation from this plan, the Department will provide opportunity for public review andcomment.

Park Objectives

Documents

Transcript of Park Objectives