Post on 27-Mar-2015
transcript
Public Access Goal
Goal: To provide every outdoor recreationist an opportunity to pursue his/her outdoor activity.
The committee traveled to Springfield, Quincy, and Bartlett to solicit public input and discuss recommendations to accomplish goal.
Scope of Outdoor Access
Public versus Private Landownership
Type of Recreational Use (Trails/Consumptive/Non-
consumptive)Land versus Water
Challenges With Providing Access on Public Land
Limited Amount of Public Land
Diversity of Competing Outdoor Activities
Relatively Large, Increasing Human Population
Challenges With Providing Access on Private Land
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Parcelization of Landownership
Urban Sprawl
Cultural Changes
What do outdoor recreationists want from a
public access program?
Access to Public LandsDetermine availability and location of
public landsMaximize outdoor recreational
opportunities for all groupsDevelop, improve and maintain
infrastructure on public landsProvide additional opportunities through
land acquisition from willing sellersUpdate the definition of a public
waterway
Access to Private LandsLiability ProtectionUser and landowner relationshipsNeeded incentives to open land to access
CashTax BreaksTechnical Assistance and Cost ShareFree LaborFederal Farm Program SubsidiesWildlife Management Benefits
RECOMMENDATIONSAmend the Recreational Use of Land and
Waters Area Act
Develop a Program to Provide Access to public and Private Lands
Create a State Water Trails Plan and a Model Heritage Water Trail
Star Parks on State-owned Sites
Recommendation #1Restore liability protection for private landowners who open their land for recreation
Objectives:Reinstate the original protection for landowners
Retain the current protection for landowners
Protect landowners who contract with the IDNR
Recommendation #2Develop a program to provide access to public and private land
Objective:The IDNR needs to increase access to
available land in Illinois for outdoor recreational purposes.
Recommendation #3IDNR should create a State Water Trails Plan
Objectives:Increases paddling related tourism
throughout the StateExpands public access to Illinois rivers and
streamsAccurately reflects the current recreational
use of Illinois’ waterwaysEstablishes designated watertrails on
waterways identified in the Plan
Recommendation #3IDNR should establish a model State Heritage Water Trail
Objectives:The IDNR should establish one model state
Heritage Water Trail outside of Northeastern Illinois between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012.
Recommendation #4IDNR should establish a star park in every IDNR site.Objectives:Provide a place to enjoy the starry nightscape
on each IDNR site.
Initiate long-range planning to qualify one area as a Starlight Reserve/Dark-Sky Preserve
Stop the increase in light pollution starting with State properties.
Where do we go from here?