Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance Oct. 2006

EOTA Background Formed in Sept 97 Incorporated as a not for profit Feb. 99 Board Structure-local municipalities, business, tourism,adjacent landowner/farmer and user groups Mandate-To develop, manage, maintain and market a network of year round shared use trails for the economic, tourism and job creation they bring

Value of the Community Based Approach EOTA provides a mechanism for local planning and decision- making within the Provincial framework resulting in a trail system that meets the needs of local user groups and the land owners (Municipalities & Crown) and provides economic return to the area The trail system has been developed based on public consultation with different interest groups/clubs/businesses and local government thus it encourages co-operation at the local/regional level

Value of the Community Based Approach It provides recreational opportunities for all user groups in the area, motorized and non-motorized including ATVs, biking, horse-back riding, etc… based on a shared use trail system which reduces costs and responsibilities for local users clubs EOTA provides an avenue for conflict resolution among user groups, land owners, Provincial government issues, etc. EOTA has established partnerships with 12 Municipalities, 11 user group clubs, 88 Businesses and 4 DMO

EOTA Financial Plan Has implemented a user pay system based on four season use and the maintenance required to support each use Ongoing funds are obtained Provincially and Federally from specific programs to support plan Has established corporate sponsors-Bell Canada, Hydro One, All Stream, Level 3 Communications To date EOTA has raised over $2,600,000.00

Municipalities That Are Involved County of Lanark County of Hastings City of Belleville Municipality of Trent Hills Township of Havelock, Belmont & Methuen Township of Stirling – Rawdon Township of Addington Highlands Municipality of Centre Hastings Town of Bancroft Township of Marmora & Lake County of Lennox and Addington/Napanee

Statistics, Usage and Staff EOTA Economic Impact Study Over a ten year build out period the economic and tourism benefits could be $45.8 million and the creation of 1659 jobs Based on 520 km trail network Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 annual users 103 volunteers assist EOTA annually EOTA has full and part time staff To date number of full and part time jobs created by EOTA is 85

Shared Use Permit Sales

EOTA Maintenance Plan Considers user safety Liability to EOTA and its partners Protection of the asset value Maintenance activity cost Future capital expenses related to maintenance effort Estimated cost per km $ EOTA with partners now operates 700 kms of shared use trails for the economic, tourism and job creation benefits they bring Created a user friendly map to identify the trail network

EOTA’s Map

Trail Tourism Insurance Program Coverage $5,000, General Commercial Liability Insurance Personal Injury Employees & Volunteers Occurrence Property Damage Attached Machinery etc. All private and public land owners (Municipalities and Crown) are covered with respect to the operations and activities of the EOTA on their lands.

OPP Partnership EOTA in partnership with the Centre Hastings OPP and the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit is the first area in the province to implement OPERATION LOOKOUT on shared use trails. Educational Brochure on ATV bylaw information on roads and trails

OPP SAVE Team The OPP officers of the S.A.V.E. (Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel Enforcement) Unit split their time patrolling between the trails and waterways. Their mandate is trail and marine safety.

Line Fences What We Are Trying To Do Hastings Federation of Agriculture, who acts as EOTA’s adjacent Landowner/Farmer Committee, is heading up with other federations within the area on a memorandum of understanding regarding the Line Fences Act. The adjacent Landowner/Farmer Committee’s responsibility is to assist in addressing/resolving issues and concerns such as fencing and access to land via the trail. We are one of four area’s chosen to have input into the Caldwell report that has been sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Destination Service Partners Partnerships have been made with over 56 accommodations, restaurants, dealerships, fuel stations and other services within our area.

Community and Regional Toolkit The EOTA Community and Regional Toolkit (CART) was developed to assist other community/regional organizations that wish to operate the same or similar as the EOTA in developing, managing, maintaining and marketing trails for the economic, tourism and job creation they bring. The kit contains a collection of samples that outlines the start-up practices and standards that have been instrumental for the establishment and successful operations of Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance.

ATVOntario EOTA is proud to be one of the five founding communities/destinations of ATVOntario. The other areas are Cochrane, Parry Sound, Elliot Lake and Mattawa Don’t forget to visit thetrail.ca

ATVOntario Cont. Community-Based tourism initiatives not provincial infrastructure A stimulus for economic development-the primary focus being tourism not recreation Respect for the environment, respect for crown and private land and respect for the public in general and their safety Shared-use of trails and other community assets Sound business principles and partnerships linking the Community to the Tourism Industry Sustainable products

Wrap Up ATVOntario’s goal is to advance the Province of Ontario as the pre-eminent ATV tourism destination in North America. For more information visit ATVOntario.com