Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Sanibel City Council Update (November 17, 2009)

ATPPL Study Update Introduction Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program formerly known as Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge  One of the most visited in national system  High seasonal visitation  Need to balance: - Needs of the environment - Vision of Sanibel and Captiva Islands - Visitor experience - Mobility Today’s presentation is a project update and follow-up to the March 17 th City update

ATPPL Study Update Goals & Objectives J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Balance visitor experience with environment * Comprehensive Conservation Plan * Management Plans City of Sanibel - Preserve barrier island sanctuary * The Sanibel Plan and Shared Use Master Plan: Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Polices LeeTran - Provide an efficient, high quality service * Transit Development Plan: Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Polices

ATPPL Study Update Purpose & Need Primary Study Area =Refuge Secondary Study Area = Sanibel & Captiva Islands Other Considerations = Areas on both sides of Sanibel Causeway

Inter- Local Agreement City of Sanibel J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR LeeTran ATPPL Study Update History of Project ATPPL Study for J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR 2005: Federal program established by SAFETEA-LU 2006: ATPPL Grant Application Submitted (Two Phases) 2007: Inter Local Agreement Executed March 2008: Study Kick-Off, Start of Phase 1 Dec. 2009: Close of Phase 1 Early 2010: Start of Phase 2

ATPPL Study Update Project Efforts to Date Task 1.0 Project ManagementStatus Project Management PlanComplete Steering Committee Meetings, Progress Reports, and CoordinationOn-going Data CollectionOn-going Task 2.0 Public OutreachStatus Stakeholder Interviews and summary reportComplete Workshop #1 facilitation and collateral materialsComplete Workshop #2 facilitation and collateral materialsComplete Workshop #3 facilitation and collateral materialsComplete Seasonal Surveys: In-person interviews, web survey, and Mail-backs including several different advertisements and a summary report Complete Speakers Bureau: small group presentationsComplete Participate in relevant Refuge and Island eventsComplete Participate in relevant agency coordination presentations and meetingsOn-going Participate and facilitate public engagement activitiesOn-going Draft website concept (organization and graphics) Website hosting Comment Database and Database Management (also Task 3.1) Posting project updates and deliverables On-going Task 3.0 DeliverablesStatus Collection and analysis of accident and traffic dataComplete Peak season origin-destination surveys at locations within the Refuge and CityComplete Way-finding assessment and recommendationsComplete Evaluation and recommendation of recreational waterborne activitiesComplete Draft and Final Existing Conditions ReportComplete

Task 4.0 Existing Conditions and CapacityStatus Data collection and identification of sensitive habitatsComplete Development of User ProfilesComplete Development of Carrying Capacity ThresholdsComplete Data collection and identification of existing transportation constraintsComplete Draft and Final Existing Conditions ReportComplete Task 5.0 Preliminary AlternativesStatus Document problem statement to guide alternatives development and analyses Complete Develop list of alternatives evaluation criteriaComplete Develop non-motorized options for each preliminary alternativeComplete Develop motorized options for each preliminary alternativeComplete Develop waterborne options for each preliminary alternativeComplete Develop parking options for each preliminary alternativeComplete Develop way-finding options for each preliminary alternativeComplete Documentation of preliminary alternativesComplete ATPPL Study Update Project Efforts to Date

ATPPL Study Update Project Efforts to Date

Two Phases of Incremental Funding “ Both Phases use the Original Scope Approved by City Council in 2007 without Changes.” Phase 1 of Grant Funding (Complete Dec. 2009) – Data Collection, Public Involvement, Preliminary Alternatives Development Phase 2 of Grant Funding (Anticipated Start: Early 2010) – Alternatives Testing, Funding Strategies, & Recommended Implementation Plan Grant Application ATPPL Study Update

Phase 2: Federal Alternatives Process Detailed Analyses of Preliminary Alternatives ( From Original Scope)  Determination of Impacts to:  Natural Resources  Cultural Resources  Transportation Resources  Mitigation Needs and Requirements Grant Application ATPPL Study Update

Phase 2: Federal Alternatives Process Selection of Locally Preferred Alternative  Public Input ( 2 Workshops: February & April )  Ability to Support and Protect Refuge  Ability to Support Sanibel Vision  Ability to Support Refuge and City Policies Grant Application ATPPL Study Update

If Phase 2 Grant is Awarded Implementation Plan Phase Two ATPPL Study Update Evaluate & Recommend “Green” Transportation Alternatives for Refuge and City Evaluate & Recommend More Efficient Means for Moving Visitors and Residents Identify Implementation Strategies & Funding Sources that Support Alternative Transportation Projects in the City as well as Refuge

Phase 2: Federal Alternatives Process Federal Funding Application for Implementation Phase Grant Application ATPPL Study Update Demonstration of Need (25%) Visitor Mobility and Experience (25%) Environmental Benefits (25%) Financial Feasibility (25%) Federal Rating: Implementation Proposal Visitor Transportation Experience Environmental Conditions Reduced Traffic Impacts Enhanced Visitor Mobility Improved Education Recreation health Benefits Protection of Natural Resources Reduced Pollution Effectiveness in Meeting Management Goals Feasibility of Financial Plan Cost Effectiveness Partnership/Funding

Preliminary Alternatives Development Preliminary Alternatives ATPPL Study Update Public Input (Chapter 1) Draft Concepts (Chapter 4) Steering Committee Coordination (Chapter 2-4) Preliminary Alternatives (Chapter 5-8) Public Input Synthesized in Common Themes Draft concepts developed from public outreach’s common themes May August 2009, Committee review and approval of draft concepts and national best practices July 2009 – November 2009, Committee review and approval of preliminary alternatives

Stakeholder Interviews – September & October (2008) – Refuge Visitor’s/Education Center – 26 Organizations – 450+ Comments Received Public Outreach ATPPL Study Update First Public Workshop – January 29 th, 2009 – Sanibel Recreation Center – 45 Participants (Including Agency/Project Staff) – 134 Comments received – Five Workstations (General Concerns, Waterborne Focus, Non-Motorized Focus, Motorized Focus, & Congestion Management Focus)

Public Outreach ATPPL Study Update Second & Third Public Workshops – April 2 nd and April 16, 2009 – Sanibel Community House – 86 Participants (Including Agency/Project Staff) – Formal Presentations and Workstations Seasonal Public Surveys –On-line Surveys (January 26 th – March 6 th ) –In-Person Surveys (February 4 th & 7 th ) –Mail-back Surveys (January 26 th – March 6 th )

Top Seven Common Themes… 1.Provide enhanced circulator using clean/low emissions propulsion during peak periods 2.Promote increased bicycle and pedestrian uses 3.Promote strategies that protect the environment 4.Limit automobile use on Wildlife Drive & do not increase capacity of City Streets 5.Protect the environment of the Refuge 6.Do not allow large buses on City streets 7.Resurface Refuge trails for bicycles Public Outreach ATPPL Study Update

Preliminary Alternatives Four Preliminary Alternatives  No Action:  Baseline Condition for comparison  Only what's planned today  Refuge Only:  Recommendations for areas within Refuge only  Islands Only:  Recommendations for areas within Sanibel and Captiva only  Refuge and Islands:  Composite of Refuge and Islands preliminary alternatives

No Action Preliminary Alternative Elements  No Change to Existing Infrastructure  Shared Use Path Recommendations  Recommendations identified by Shared Use Master Plan

No Action Shared Use Master Plan

Refuge Only Preliminary Alternative Elements  Wildlife Drive & Wayfinding Enhancements  Trail Enhancements  Guided Tours  Circulator  Existing Refuge Tram Enhancments  Island Environmental Institution Circulator (Pilot Program)  Wildlife & Pedestrian Crossings  Parking Options  Bicycle Opportunities

Refuge Only Non-motorized Elements

Motorized Elements Refuge Only

Island Only Preliminary Alternative Elements  Circulator (Possible Extension Phases) 1.Island Environmental Institution Circulator (Pilot Program) 2.Rabbit Rd – W Gulf Dr Circulator Extension 3.Periwinkle Way – Middle Gulf Dr. Circulator Extension 4.Sanibel – Captiva Rd. Circulator Extension 5.Causeway Circulator Extension  Wayfinding  Wildlife Crossings  Pedestrian Crossings  Bicycle Opportunities

Island Only Motorized Elements

Non-motorized Elements: Wayfinding Island Only

Refuge and Island Preliminary Alternative Elements The Refuge and Island Preliminary Alternative Combines Elements of Each Preliminary Alternative into a Composite Alternative

Agency Briefings City of Sanibel: November 17, 2009 US Fish and Wildlife: November – December 2009 – Atlanta Regional Office – D.C. National Office Federal Transit Administration: November – December 2009 Next Steps ATPPL Study Update

Winter - Spring 2009/2010 – Continued outreach to Stakeholders and Public – Preliminary Alternatives Testing Spring - Summer 2010 – Public Workshop #4 : February 2, 2010 – Public Workshop #5: March 30, 2010 – Selection of Preferred Alternative Summer - Fall 2010 – Ongoing outreach to Stakeholders and Public – Alternative(s) Implementation Plan – Alternative(s) Costs and Funding Strategies Federal Application for Implementation Funding Next Steps ATPPL Study Update

Comments and Questions… ATPPL Study Update