Outline of Historical Events

Townsite Act of 1958

- Applies to Western States

- Provides means for Municipalities to purchase designated USFS managed lands

- Law enabled by two pages of USFS Regulations

USFS Implementing Regulations Require:

* Town must apply - Written, including Description & Development Plan - DONE

* USFS must Review, Coordinate with other agencies, Process set-aside, Prepare Designation Order, 4 week legal notice & accept Public Comments - DONE

* USFS must conduct studies & get appraisal of Fair Market Value (highest/best use)

* Municipality must acquire or abandon when special use permits expire

 

Note - Purchase can be a single transaction or multiple transactions scheduled purchase per MOU

Chronology

 

• 10/17/85 Pinetop-Lakeside News - Article admonishes Town to “Act now or lose Park forever”

• 7/17/86 Town Council Resolution & Authorization to apply

• 7/30/86 Town Manager - Letter of Application

• 8/7/86 District Ranger endorses & forwards to Supervisor

• 8/18/86 Supervisor recommends approval & forwards to Regional Forester

• 4/2/87 USFS issues Special Use Permits

• 5/18/87 Designation order issued

• 6/87 Arizona State Clearinghouse & Game and Fish endorse

Includes Heritage Fund, State Parks, State Land, Water etc.

• 7/17/87 Report of Federal Action issued (Official Designation)

 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

* The agreement between USFS & Town

* 1990 - 1994

- 8 drafts worked - out

- #7 Near Final

- #8 The Show Stopper

- New USFS Chief - Policy Shift

- USFS Staff Officer (Springerville) Changes wording

- USFS says no change in intent

- Town says intent changed

- Citizens Committees end work

• 2/12/96 Town Manager appeals to Senator Kyl - Letter forwarded to USDA / USFS

4/9/96 Response to Senator Kyl - “NO”

• 10/1/97 Mayor appeals to Senator Kyl - Letter forwarded to USDA / USFS

11/4/97 Response to Senator Kyl - “NO”

• 10/1/97 Mayor appeals to Representative Hayworth - forwarded to USDA

1/9/98 Response to Representative Hayworth - “NO”

• 2/10/98 Mary Ellen Bittdorf - Letter & Petition of Appeal sent to Representative Hayworth

• 3/10/98 Mayor & Town Manager meet with Representatives & Senators in Washington D.C.

• 3/11/98 2020 Vision Committee - Presentations by Mary Ellen Bittdorf & Ed Collins (USFS)

• 3/18/98 2020 Vision Committee holds Special Working Session on Park Issue

• 6/24/98 Comments / Suggestions from Town Hall Meeting - Place Woodland Park on next Town Hall Agenda

The Park is 3 separate pieces of land

- 468 Acres (Woods & Trails)

- 73 Acres (Around Lake) including Ramadas, Ball fields, Parking, Trails etc.

- 40 Acres (Big Springs Environmental Study Area)

581Acres (Federal Land surrounded by Town)

All 3 Properties let Town via Special Use Permits (Under Townsite Act)

- 468 Acres Use Permit Expired 12/97

- 40 Acre Use Permit (Big Springs) Expired 12/00

- 73 Acres (Woodland Lake) Permit Expires 12/07

Land (All 3 pieces) Estimated at $10 - $12 Million - Development Market Value

Hayworth Educational Land Grant Act

- Passed Committee, Passed House, Awaiting Senate

Total Gratis Conveyance of Whole Park - H.R.4371

- Long Shot

Reappraisal at Recreational Value for Purchase by Town - H.R.4373

- Possible (Long Shot)

USFS continue to own

Remain open to Public, Cannot be conveyed to anyone other than Town - H.R.4372

- Possible

Mayor & Town Manager to testify in Washington D.C.

Hayworth Bills

* Support at hearings

* Public Support Campaign

Other Possibilities

* Bond Issue

* User Fees

* Fund Raisers

* Private Sector Partnership

* Donor / Gifts / Bequests

* Lottery Funds

* Subscriptions

November 2, 1998 - Public Law 105-344 (Formerly H.R. 4372) Signed into Law:

Try for Real Land Use appraisal Ruling

Contract with USFS

Volunteers for enabling work

- Support Town Government

- Raise Funds

Town Officials trying to get support through Democrat lobbyists to pressure USFS

Mayor & Town Manager visited with Representative Hayworth to help open communication channel to USDA Secretary

Town Manager outlined Best Case to Worst Case Scenario for Congressman

Best - Appraise Park at Recreational Value

Worst - USFS doesn t move from their book position

A Compromise -

* Deal with Park in 3 pieces

- Big Springs to Blue Ridge School District under HELGA (40 Acres)

- Lake Area (190 Acres) purchased for Park

- Remainder (350 Acres) developed

Town Citizens not supportive of 350 Acre development (Discussion & feedback on General Plan)