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SWIMBA MEETING MINUTES 9/18/02
Old Business: Tour de Fat - Todd reported New Belgium is very happy, 22 kegs of beer were sold. Ginger, from Boise Parks & Rec wrote a personal letter. Overall it was good but she had concerns about parking on the lawn and our failure to use the bandshell. Todd thanked everyone for their help and participation in a very successful event. Todd was commended for his hard work as chair. The Blues Society netted $75 from the games, and SWIMBA paid them $350 for the stage rental. As a result of their work running the bike games and pouring beer, SWIMBA paid them an additional $500. We have yet been unable to determine the income ICL derived from the event. Marketing campaign - Margie reported that member assistance is needed to market and promote the organization. Shafer Butte - No report. New Business: Smoky Mountain Region - Discussion was held regarding SWIMBA’s boundaries and whether we should comment on areas outside of Southwest Idaho Harley asked for a resolution to define what Southwest Idaho means. It was pointed out by Steve Steubner that SWIMBA historically has participated in areas of land management around McCall, Owyhees, Park N Ski, White Clouds and Boulder Mountains, and he would like to include Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Bureau of Land Management. Margie questions whether SWIMBA has the manpower available to cover areas outside of Southwest Idaho. Chris wants SWIMBA to get involved in the Owyhees because of it’s proximity to Nampa. He isn’t sure about the Payette National Forest because CIMBA is located up there, and he thinks an IMBA group is forming in the Boulder/White Clouds area. He wants a stipulation that SWIMBA be allowed to comment if IMBA came in. Todd thinks SWIMBA is here to improve mountain biking, access, trails, etc. He wants to be careful in wilderness issues, be careful in setting a precedent with other user groups, wants to be careful in how we align as an organization. Brad wants to stay out of wilderness issues, but thinks involvement in access and trail management in the Owyhees is good. He wants to listen to presentations such as Mike Medberry’s or IMBA, but wants to be careful on politically divisive issues. Harley give a history on SWIMBA and the conversion to non-profit status. At that time wilderness issues came up, there were heated discussions and it was divisive to the organization so it was decided to define our area of influence as the Boise National Forest. Tom agrees with Brad, we need to avoid potentially divisive issues. The group was started to deal with land access and trail issues in the Boise front. He fears this debate will splinter the group and questions if we have a a big enough stake in the Boulder/White Clouds to go down this path. Jeff thinks Southwest Idaho should be aligned by IMBA clubs, he thinks the Owyhees should be in our purview but isn’t saying we should take a position on wilderness. Bob agrees with Brad, Tom and Harley. He believes we need to rebuild and get enough members, take care of local issues before expanding. He doesn’t want to take a stand outside of the Boise National Forest. David agrees with Chris, thinks we should look outside the Boise front. Steve states we haven’t shied away from the political arena in the past, believes if we want to stay out of wilderness issues it will split us, people will take a position and it may split us anyway. He agrees with Chris that McCall and Sun Valley have groups and we would be wise to work with them. It is appropriate for SWIMBA to focus resources and manpower on the local area but has an interst in hearing presentations. Brandon doesn’t have enough information to give an opinion. Harley advises 150 people are on membership rolls, the people in the room are those who are active. He states we can hear the Medberry presentation without a resolution. Eric believes we should align with mountain biking in surrounding areas, but focus in this area, not taking a political stance. Bill believes as an IMBA affiliate club we could comment on areas that impact our area and areas that could close to mountain biking. He thinks we might extend our influence into the Owyhees. Janelle wants to consider the Owyhees. Paul states our credibility is an issue, in his experience this stuff drags on. Todd stated that Tim Breuer and Leo Hennessey are actively inolved with SWIMBA and we have a long standing relationship with them to consider. Harley proposes allowing Mike to present and postponing our discussion on our area of influence. Mike Medberry gave a presentation on proposed wilderness areas. He was hired by the Wilderness Society. The Boulder/White Clouds and Pioneer Mountains are being worked on by the ICL. No one was working on the Smoky Mountains, which will get the users moved from Boulder/White Clouds and Pioneers. The only wilderness qualifying area is Lakes Basin. There are no big issues like roads, ranching and mining interests involved. He has marked areas for potential wilderness on his maps in dark green. Other areas such as Willow Creek and Ross Fork have motorcycles. Fox Creek, Baker Creek, Adams Gulch, Warm Springs Road are really popular with mountain bikers and are not likely as wilderness. Motorcycles have really worked over Dollarhide Summit, Morton, Galena Summit and Big Smoky Creek. In lat July 300 people came out and ran over it, it was a state ride. It gets more and more use. He doesn’t think it will make wilderness. Mike is here with no allies, he advised Craig Gehrke of the Wilderness Society he was coming. The consensus is his proposal for a wilderness area makes sense. His proposal won’t affect helicopter skiing. Steve notes there is no precedent for the designation. Mike is asking SWIMBA to support his wilderness proposal, and if not, to tell him how he can get SWIMBA’s support. It is decided to finish the agenda and then go back to Mike. Harris Ranch - Paul is here to discuss the bike/walking path. Harris Ranch has deviated from the 1998 concept Master Plan so they have to submit a new plan now. The new plan for the green belt counts on federal funds to avoid at grade crossings. Tom comments a tunnel is needed under Eckert Road at some point - the new trail comes out at Shakespeare Theater. Steve states there are 3 corridors for wildlife to get to the river, Tom says the Fish and Game will comment on those and make recommendation to Planning and Zoning. Steve doesn’t know if Harris Ranch proposals are favorable or unfavorable to wildlife. Redefining Resolution - Todd proposes we wait until the next meeting to decide. Tom thinks the debate is really about what topics we want to get engaged in anywhere in the state and particularly on this wilderness issue. Bob questions possibly doing it in stages. Dave believes there are 2 different topics, area of influence and wilderness. Steve wants both issues on the agenda next month. Harley stated the reason for the area of influence was to keep focused on the Boise Front. We don’t have the resources to focus on other areas. We need to focus on current projects such as education and Shafer Butte. He states IMBA can address it though local people, which will be his role next year. Metting Adjorned |
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