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

ATPPL Study Update IntroductionPaul 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 17th 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 & NeedPrimary Study Area = RefugeSecondary 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 DateTask 1.0 Project Management Status

Project Management Plan Complete

Steering Committee Meetings, Progress Reports, and Coordination On-going

Data Collection On-going

Task 2.0 Public Outreach StatusStakeholder Interviews and summary report Complete

Workshop #1 facilitation and collateral materials Complete

Workshop #2 facilitation and collateral materials Complete

Workshop #3 facilitation and collateral materials Complete

Seasonal Surveys: In-person interviews, web survey, and Mail-backs including several different advertisements and a summary report

Complete

Speakers Bureau: small group presentations Complete

Participate in relevant Refuge and Island events Complete

Participate in relevant agency coordination presentations and meetings On-going

Participate and facilitate public engagement activities On-going

Draft website concept (organization and graphics)Website hostingComment Database and Database Management (also Task 3.1)Posting project updates and deliverables

On-going

Task 3.0 Deliverables Status

Collection and analysis of accident and traffic data Complete

Peak season origin-destination surveys at locations within the Refuge and City Complete

Way-finding assessment and recommendations Complete

Evaluation and recommendation of recreational waterborne activities Complete

Draft and Final Existing Conditions Report Complete

Task 4.0 Existing Conditions and Capacity Status

Data collection and identification of sensitive habitats Complete

Development of User Profiles Complete

Development of Carrying Capacity Thresholds Complete

Data collection and identification of existing transportation constraints Complete

Draft and Final Existing Conditions Report Complete

Task 5.0 Preliminary Alternatives Status

Document problem statement to guide alternatives development and analyses

Complete

Develop list of alternatives evaluation criteria Complete

Develop non-motorized options for each preliminary alternative Complete

Develop motorized options for each preliminary alternative Complete

Develop waterborne options for each preliminary alternative Complete

Develop parking options for each preliminary alternative Complete

Develop way-finding options for each preliminary alternative Complete

Documentation of preliminary alternatives Complete

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 ApplicationATPPL 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 ApplicationATPPL Study Update

Phase 2: Federal Alternatives Process

Selection of Locally Preferred AlternativePublic Input (2 Workshops: February & April)

Ability to Support and Protect Refuge

Ability to Support Sanibel Vision

Ability to Support Refuge and City Policies

Grant ApplicationATPPL Study Update

If Phase 2 Grant is AwardedImplementation Plan

Phase TwoATPPL 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 ApplicationATPPL 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

Preliminary Alternatives DevelopmentPreliminary AlternativesATPPL 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 2009 - 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 OutreachATPPL Study Update

First Public Workshop– January 29th, 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 OutreachATPPL Study Update

Second & Third Public Workshops– April 2nd and April 16, 2009– Sanibel Community House– 86 Participants (Including Agency/Project Staff)– Formal Presentations and Workstations

Seasonal Public Surveys– On-line Surveys (January 26th – March 6th)– In-Person Surveys (February 4th & 7th)– Mail-back Surveys (January 26th – March 6th)

Top Seven Common Themes…1. Provide enhanced circulator using clean/low emissions

propulsion during peak periods2. Promote increased bicycle and pedestrian uses3. Promote strategies that protect the environment4. Limit automobile use on Wildlife Drive & do not increase

capacity of City Streets5. Protect the environment of the Refuge6. Do not allow large buses on City streets7. Resurface Refuge trails for bicycles

Public OutreachATPPL Study Update

Preliminary AlternativesFour 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 ActionPreliminary Alternative Elements

No Change to Existing Infrastructure

Shared Use Path Recommendations Recommendations identified by Shared Use Master Plan

No ActionShared Use Master Plan

Refuge OnlyPreliminary Alternative Elements

Wildlife Drive & Wayfinding Enhancements Trail EnhancementsGuided ToursCirculator

Existing Refuge Tram Enhancments Island Environmental Institution Circulator (Pilot Program)

Wildlife & Pedestrian CrossingsParking OptionsBicycle Opportunities

Refuge OnlyNon-motorized Elements

Motorized ElementsRefuge Only

Island OnlyPreliminary Alternative Elements

Circulator (Possible Extension Phases)1. Island Environmental Institution Circulator (Pilot Program)2. Rabbit Rd – W Gulf Dr Circulator Extension3. Periwinkle Way – Middle Gulf Dr. Circulator Extension4. Sanibel – Captiva Rd. Circulator Extension5. Causeway Circulator Extension

WayfindingWildlife CrossingsPedestrian CrossingsBicycle Opportunities

Island OnlyMotorized Elements

Non-motorized Elements: WayfindingIsland Only

Refuge and IslandPreliminary 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 StepsATPPL 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 StepsATPPL Study Update

Comments and Questions…

ATPPL Study Update