San Rafael, CA – A new opportunity for feedback on the Marin County Draft Road and Trail Management Plan Environmental Impact Report is available to those interested in the use of roads and trails on open space lands managed by the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD).
Marin County Parks staff has made many changes twice to a preliminary and then draft Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) following extensive public participation and review throughout the process, which included 11 meetings and analysis of more than 200 written comments. The result is a revised RTMP that’s now available. Through Sept. 22 the public is invited to comment on the updated environmental impact report that documents the effects of the RTMP. Following the 45-day comment period, public meetings will be set with the Parks and Open Space Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
The Open Space District owns and manages 34 preserves and nearly 16,000 acres of land that directly affects quality of life of local residents and Marin’s character. The district also it works in conjunction with other agencies charged with local public land management. Parks’ RTMP and the associated environmental report seek to diminish the impact of roads and trails on preserves while improving recreation opportunities, promoting harmony among visitors, and managing long-term maintenance burdens.
The documents are a breakthrough for Marin County Parks and the MCOSD in that they present a policy framework and define a process for making future road and trail use decisions in an inclusive, trackable, and transparent manner. Those reading the updated documents will notice a more comprehensive approach to assessing a project’s environmental impacts, more detail about how plan implementation will occur, and a clear outline for public engagement going forward.
Draft documents are available on the Marin County Parks website, through the mail, during business hours at local public libraries, and at the Marin County Parks office in the Marin County Civic Center (Suite 260). Visit the website for more information and locations.
Once the environmental impact report and plan are approved by the Board of Supervisors, Marin County Parks will schedule meetings where residents can provide input on the designation of a formal road and trails system for preserves. Attendees will also receive orientation on how to formulate and submit a proposal for specific road and trail projects.