Working with Landowners
The following text is excerpted from a document prepared for groups working on the Trans Canada Trail within the Kootenay Boundary region. It contains some tips on working with landowners, and a landowner survey which can be used as a tool for trail work planning.
Landowner Relations
We have found that it is extremely important
to develop a good working relationship with landowners. In our
region, we believe that the trail will only work well for the
travelers if it also works well for the landowners. Therefore,
we involved the landowners in the process before inviting the
public "in", and we ask each local group to conduct
a one-on-one landowner survey as its first task. This survey is
an important management tool. With it we will gauge the support
of landowners for non-motorized and snowmobile users, identify
what problems, if any, the owner is experiencing now which are
related to un-managed trail use, and determine what tasks must
be carried out to rectify those problems. From the survey we expect
to create a work list including such things as sites, types and
quantities of fences, gates, culverts, signs, etc. This list in
turn will be passed on to the Regional Council for budgeting,
fundraising, and operational planning and action.
Where the trail crosses through private property (ie, sections of the Dewdney), we must obtain formal permission from the landowner. Your regional council has an agreement which may be used with landowners. It is included with this package. (NOTE: agreement referred to here was modeled on the Trails for Rossland agreement.) Check with your regional council to see which landowners in your area, if any, need to be contacted regarding access permission and agreements. We do NOT need agreements with people who own property adjacent to rail grades, however we DO need their support.
Please approach affected landowners with respect. The slightest hint of "We own this trail and can put it through regardless of your thoughts/feelings on the matter" results in raised hackles and resistance--or even revolt, as has been proven in other regions. In our region we take a WORK WITH stance.
There is a fair amount of information on the differences of managed and un-managed trails available through Hanne Heintz at Trails for Rossland Society (Phone: 250-362-2218).
Landowner Survey
Date: ___________________________
Owner Information
Name: _____________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone, fax, email: ___________________________________________________________________
Property description: _________________________________________________________________
Legal description, if available: __________________________________________________________
Name of trail involved (eg, Dewdney, CPR…): ___________________________________________
Location on trail route:
Region: ______________________________________ Section: ________________________________
Where in Section: _____________________________________________________________________
Describe land forms (ie, slope, proximity to river, etc):
_______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Location of residence relative to trail: ___________________________________________________
Does road access to residence
or working parts of property cross trail? _______________
Describe. ____________________________________________________________________________
Use of property:
| Farming | |
| Ranching | |
| Timber harvesting | |
| Industrial activities | |
| Residence only | |
| Other (describe) | |
Does the owner support - or not support - the following uses of the trail:?
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| Vehicle use | ||
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Cars/trucks |
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ATV's |
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Snowmobiles |
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Motorcycles |
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| Non-vehicle use | ||
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Foot |
||
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Bicycle |
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Horse |
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Cross-country ski |
||
| Comments | ||
Has the owner noticed any problems related to public use of the trail?
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| Fence cutting | ||
| Gates left open or vandalized | ||
| Unauthorized campfires or camping | ||
| Motor vehicle use | ||
| Litter | ||
| Dogs chasing livestock | ||
| Noise | ||
| Loss of privacy | ||
| Trespass for purpose of access to creek | ||
| Hunting | ||
| Other (specify) | ||
| Comments | ||
What actions can be taken to minimize noted problems? Please be specific as to locations and requirements.
Examples include:
Structures:
Access control gates at (where),
(x) meters of fence (what type) at (where),
privacy screen (fence or trees?) at (where)
Signs (saying what) at (where),
Outhouses…..
Or Behaviors:
Cooperation/ trail patrol by existing user groups