04/03/2022
Hello, Richmond Residents:
Great thanks to all for the excellent response to the Committee's request for public comments on the proposed ACF trail design. We received approximately 130 comments, which the Committee has analyzed to inform our next steps. While there countless valuable points raised in these comments, three general findings could be derived from our initial analysis --
1. Consistent with the initial public engagement process that influenced the development of the ACF Master Plan, there exists great enthusiasm among Richmond residents to move forward with the introduction of recreational trails. The majority of the public comments received supported the ACFC's current proposed trail design.
2. Of those not supportive of the ACFCs proposed trail design, we received substantive comments questioning whether the ACFC had done enough to ensure the trail design complied with the ACF Master Plan and did so in a manner that took appropriate steps to minimize impacts on sensitive natural areas whenever possible; other respondents argued the original trail design presented by Arrowwood/Sinuosity complied with the Master Plan and questioned the ACFC's rationale for electing to eliminate one of the trails included in the Arrowwood/Sinuosity design.
3. A smaller yet significant number of comments focused on the need for the ACFC to better communicate its vision behind, and rationale for, the proposed trail design and to hold additional public engagement to ensure the credibility of the trail design with regard to the ACF Master Plan before such plan is advanced to the Selectboard for final approval.
Based on these general findings, the ACFC's next steps are as follows:
1. Analyze Questions and Respond to Community -- Over the coming weeks, the ACFC will work to distill the questions and concerns posed during the public comment period, consider if further modifications to the proposed trail design are appropriate, and provide a written report to Richmond residents responding to the key questions and concerns and detailing our final recommended trail design.
2. Release of Draft Revised Management Plan and Holding of Public Meeting -- The ACFC's final recommended trail design is required to be incorporated into a Revised ACF Management Plan. In addition to the trail design, this Revised Management Plan will incorporate additional changes, including incorporation of an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement. A proposed revision to the ACF Management Plan is required to go through a public engagement process before being submitted to the Selectboard for approval. Once the ACFC's draft Revised ACF Management Plan is complete, we will circulate it to the Richmond community for review and comment and hold a public meeting to consider further public comment and feedback.
3. Recommendation of Revised ACF Management Plan to Richmond Selectboard -- Once the ACFC incorporates any modifications or changes to the Revised ACF Management Plan based on the public engagement process, it will recommend approval of the Revised ACF Management Plan to the Richmond Selectboard. The Richmond Selectboard will call a formal public meeting at which time it will consider final approval of the Revised ACF Management Plan.
Sincere thanks to all for your continued interest and engagement in this important process. Balancing the interests of conservation and recreation are challenging. The ACFC is striving to do so responsibly and consistent with the objectives spelled out in the ACF Management Plan.
Jesse Crary, Chair
Andrews Community Forest Committee
