How Did We Get Here? A brief history of MLTPA
Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access (MLTPA) was informally initiated in December 2005 by John Wentworth, a member of the Mammoth Lakes community, in response to concerns regarding skier/snowboarder egress from the Sherwin Range back to town. The Town of Mammoth Lakes Sensitive Lands, Open Space and Recreation (SLOSR) working group, of which Wentworth became a member, subsequently identified public access to surrounding public lands as a top priority. Building on his initial efforts with the Sherwins egress issue and his participation in the SLOSR working group, Wentworth and a handful of community volunteers—including current MLTPA Communications Manager Kim Stravers—compiled the “Mobility Plan Resources Report” (MPRR) in the summer of 2006 and presented the report’s findings and research to a joint meeting of the TOML Planning, Tourism and Recreation, and Public Arts commissions on July 26, 2006, which was held to consider a draft mobility plan. The TOML subsequently awarded MLTPA a contract (the GIC) to survey an approximately 125-square-mile area in the immediate region and produce an inventory that the Town could incorporate into its existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database.
Since that time, MLTPA has worked diligently to bring much-deserved focus and attention to the future of our community and its critical relationship with its unique and bountiful setting. These efforts have culminated in the “MLTPA Planning Proposal,” formally submitted to and accepted by the Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Commission on May 1, 2007. The Proposal was accepted by Council in June 2007, and has sparked the CAMP (Concept and Master Planning) process currently underway.
Highlights:
◘ February 2006: In response to 796 signed petitions, the Town Council of Mammoth Lakes votes unanimously to rescind the vacation of a public road so as to ensure a proper vacating with deeded public access.
◘ July 2006: Presentation of 125-page "Mobility Plan Resources Report" to a joint meeting of the town’s Tourism and Recreation, Planning, and Public Arts commissions.
◘ August 2006 to January 2007: Completion of an $11,000 GIS Inventory Contract with the Town of Mammoth Lakes to document key points of public access, trailheads, and outdoor recreation amenities for inclusion in the Town’s GIS database as a Staff planning tool.
◘ November 2006: Convening of a Strategic Conference and Public Meeting on the future of trails and public access in Mammoth Lakes, featuring nationally recognized presenters and attracting a standing room only crowd of more than 200 people.
◘ February 2007: Production of numerous reports and studies, available on the MLTPA website, www.mltpa.org, including an 18-page Action Plan written in conjunction with Jeff Olson of Alta Planning + Design.
◘ December 2006 to March 2007: Incorporation as public benefit corporation in the state of California (MLTPA Foundation), seating of a seven-member Board of Directors, and formal application to the IRS for 501(c)3 status.
◘ March to April 2007: Facilitation of a joint Task Force, with the Tourism and Recreation Department, including representatives from the development community, the USFS, the Tourism and Recreation Commission, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and MLTPA, to prepare the Proposal to the Community for a Trails and Public Access Concept and Master Plan, or "MLTPA Planning Proposal".
◘ May 2007: Delivery and presentation of the Planning Proposal to the community of Mammoth Lakes.The MLTPA Foundation is granted official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
◘ June 2007: TOML Town Council votes to approve a $100,000 commitment toward MLTPA Concept and Master Planning (MLTPA CAMP), triggering a matching $100,000 commitment from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and $25,000 from Cardinal Investments via the Developers' Forum.
◘ October 2007: The Mammoth Lakes Town Council and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to be further co-signed by MLTPA, the United States Forest Service, Mono County, and a number of other partners, that addresses cooperative trails and public access planning efforts.◘ November 2007: In partnership with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the United States Forest Service, MLTPA puts on CAMP: Summer, a free, four-day public workshop focused on summer recreation and trails in Mammoth Lakes, to collect public input to complement the planning process.
◘ February 2008: In partnership with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the United States Forest Service, MLTPA puts on CAMP: Winter, a free, four-day public workshop focused on winter recreation and trails in Mammoth Lakes, to collect public input to complement the planning process.
◘ June 2008: The Yes on Measure R Committee, with the support of MLTPA, helps pass Measure R with 72% of the community's vote. Measure R increases the local sales tax by half a cent, raising the tax to 7.75%. All funds collected from Measure R are earmarked for parks, trails and recreation.