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Town of Edson Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Delegation Meeting Date: August 14, 2018

Subject: Foothills Recreation Management Association (FRMA)

Delegation Aaron Jones will give a presentation to Council with respect to the Foothills Recreation Management Association

Chief Administrative Office or Designate:

Mike Derricott, CAO

Foothills Recreation Management Association (FRMA) FRMA Recreation Facilities:

• 20 campgrounds and 8 trail systems – in the areas surrounding Hinton, Edson, Robb, and Cadomin • Smallest campground is Brazeau River (7 sites) and the largest is Rock Lake (96 sites). • 18 of the campgrounds are Alberta Parks’ campgrounds, in which West Fraser has an operating

agreement with Parks; while two campgrounds have been built and are managed by West Fraser.

Table 1 – Recreation Sites Maintained by FRMA

Campgrounds Trail Systems Brazeau River PRA McLeod River PRA (North) Bighorn Trail

Brown Creek PRA McLeod River PRA (South) Canyon Creek Trail

Elk River PRA Obed Lake PRA Emerson Lakes Trail

Emerson Lake PRA Pembina Forks PRA Happy Creek Trail

Fairfax Lake PRA Petite Lake campground McLeod River Silviculture Interpretive Trail

Gregg Cabin Recreation Area Rock Lake PRA Pine Management Trails

Kinky Lake PRA Watson Creek PRA Spruce Management Trails

Little Sundance Group PRA Whitehorse PRA Wild Sculpture Trail

Lovett River PRA Wildhay Group PRA

McLeod Group PRA Wildhorse Lake PRA

FRMA Members

• West Fraser ($50,000), Teck ($40,000), Westmoreland Coal ($10,000), Yellowhead County ($30,000), and Town of Hinton ($20,000)

FRMA Management

• West Fraser is the one window manager of FRMA. Partners provide funding annually and receive an annual report.

• West Fraser holds the contracts with Parks and deals directly with them in the management of the campgrounds.

• Fox Creek Development Association is a not-for-profit Aboriginal owned and operated business in Hinton that West Fraser contracts for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of all the FRMA recreation sites. They employ seven aboriginal persons from the beginning of May to the end of September on the recreation program

• Fox Creek runs a reservation system, collects all money (which is then given to West Fraser), undertakes all minor maintenance and most major upgrades, and keeps the campgrounds stocked with firewood (West Fraser provides the logs; Fox Creeks bucks and delivers to the campgrounds).

• In 2017, there were 12030 user nights, resulting in $150,539 of revenue (net of GST and other fees), with a total program cost of $372,137.

FRMA Mandate and Philosophy

• To provide safe, affordable, and enjoyable recreational opportunities for the public in and around the communities of Hinton, Edson, Robb, Cadomin and Brule.

• To provide Aboriginal employment, especially employment for Aboriginal women. • To provide the public with information about partner’s core business or organizational priorities (i.e.

mining, tourism, forestry, safety, etc.) • To raise awareness with users, stakeholders, and government that the FRMA partners support recreation

opportunities as part of their commitment to sustainability and community.

Communication Opportunities

• Recreation Maps – FRMA gives away approximately 5,000 recreation maps annually, through the Visitor Information Centers in Edson, Hinton, and Grande Cache, as well as through Fox Creek, Parks, and partners. EMAC information has been on these recreation maps since 2013.

• Trail Maps – The Happy Creek Trail, Wild Sculpture Trail, Pine Management Trail, Spruce Management Trail (cross-country ski trail), and the Bighorn Trail all have trail brochure maps with FRMA member logos.

• Kiosks – Nearly all the 20 campgrounds have kiosks, which posters can be displayed and brochures given away.

• Recreation Use Surveys – FRMA has surveyed campground uses four different times (asking the same questions) – in 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2013.

Further information

• If anyone wants any further information regarding FRMA, please contact: Aaron Jones, Management Forester, West Fraser Mills Ltd. 756 Switzer Drive, Hinton, Alberta, T7V 0A2 Email: aaron.jones@westfraser.com Phone: (work) 780-865-8559 (cell) 780-817-4684

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Recreation Program Summary

Presented Edson Town Council on August 14, 2018

Aaron Jones, RPF, Management Forester

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Why I’m here Gean Chouinard (Town Councillor) sits on West Fraser’s Public

Advisory Committee (PAC) for our Edson mill. The topic of West Fraser/FRMA’s Recreation Program was

discussed at a recent PAC meeting. Gean asked why the Town of Hinton and Yellowhead County

were members of FRMA and the Town of Edson wasn’t. Asked that I come and present information to council about

FRMA.

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Overview Edson/Hinton Woodlands manages 28 recreation sites on or near the

Hinton and Edson FMAs. The operation/maintenance of these sites are funded through an

unofficial partnership (guided by a Terms of Reference) called the “Foothills Recreation Management Association” (FRMA).

Campgrounds Trail Systems

Brazeau River McLeod River PRA (North) Bighorn TrailBrown Creek McLeod River PRA (South) Canyon Creek TrailElk River Obed Lake PRA Emerson Lakes TrailEmerson Lake PRA Pembina Forks PRA Happy Creek TrailFairfax Lake PRA Petite Lake campground McLeod River Silviculture Interpretive TrailGregg Cabin Recreation Area Rock Lake PRA Pine Management TrailsKinky Lake PRA Watson Creek PRA Spruce Management TrailsLittle Sundance Group PRA Whitehorse PRA Wild Sculpture TrailLovett River PRA Wildhay Group PRAMcLeod Group PRA Wildhorse Lake PRA

West Fraser (me) is the one window manager of the program. Contract is through Parks, maintenance subcontract to Fox Creek.

Overview FRMA Mandate (as agreed by members in 2011) is to:

To provide safe, affordable, and enjoyable recreational opportunities for the public in and around the communities of Hinton, Edson, Robb, Cadomin and Brule.

To provide Aboriginal employment, especially employment for Aboriginal women. To provide the public with information about partner’s core business or organizational

priorities (i.e. mining, tourism, forestry, safety, etc.) To raise awareness with users, stakeholders, and government that the FRMA partners support

recreation opportunities as part of their commitment to sustainability and community.

Mechanisms to communicate with users:

Recreation Map Trail Maps (Wild Sculpture, Bighorn, Pine Management, Spruce Management ski trails, Happy

Creek). Kiosks Posters Signage. Advertising

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Overview FRMA partners provide funding to West Fraser (Hinton/Edson). West Fraser enters into contract with Parks for all provincial campgrounds FRMA also maintains 7 trail systems West Fraser subcontracts all maintenance and operation to Fox Creek

Development West Fraser provides funding for two Parks Conservation Officers to

provide additional security and enforcement for FRMA campgrounds. Fox Creek collects user fees and provides these funds to HWP monthly

(except for Brown, Elk, and Brazeau campgrounds). Upgrades to campgrounds/trails are made based on priorities and

available funding.

Funding FRMA partnership began in 2011 to coincide with 5 year maintenance and

operation contract HWP had with Parks for the majority of the campgrounds (13 out 20). That contact expires on March 31, 2016 (but will be renewed).

Funding in 2011 was as follows:

FRMA Funder Funding Amount CommentsTeck Coal $50,000Sherritt – Coal Valley $50,000Coalspur $50,000West Fraser $41,687 This dollar amount is for FRIAA dollars only and does

not include an “in-kind” amount for the overall management of FRMA by West Fraser. Also doesn’t include cost of firewood (significant)

Yellowhead County $30,000Town of Hinton $20,000Peyto $5,000 This was a one-time donation Campground Revenue $90,666

Total available FRMA funding 2011 $337,353

Previous to 2011, HWP managed and funded entire program (from 2000 on)

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Funding Funding has changed over the 5 years. Funding in 2015 was as follows:

FRMA Funder Funding Amount CommentsTeck Coal $50,000Westmoreland Coal – Coal Valley $50,000West Fraser $59,098 This dollar amount does not include an “in-kind” amount

for the overall management of FRMA by West Fraser.

Yellowhead County $30,000Town of Hinton $20,000Edson Mutual Aid Coop (EMAC) $2,000Campground Revenue $146,726 Revenue was significantly improved due to the increasing

popularity of FRMA-managed sites with the public.

Total available FRMA funding 2015 $357,824

Funding Funding in 2017/18, decreased with the withdrawal of Westmoreland Coal

(and at the end of 2014 – Coalspur). Revenue is hard to predict – can vary considerable depending on the

weather of the major long weekends (May, July, Aug, Sept). Assuming we collect revenue somewhere between the 2014 and 2017

number, core funding in 2018 would be:FRMA Funder Funding Amount Comments

Teck Coal $50,000West Fraser 95,000 (about 3 times what West Fraser was providing

in 2011) Yellowhead County $30,000Town of Hinton $20,000Campground Revenue $145,000 From $140,000 to 155,000

Total available FRMA funding 2018 $340,000

Petite Lake

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Campground Use

• Top 5 most popular campground (out of 16) – Rock Lake, McLeod(s), Whitehorse, Fairfax, and Wildhorse – accounts for 63% of all revenue.

• Top 8 accounts for 78% of all revenue• Averages 12,000 user nights annually

Campground Fee 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Whitehorse Creek $11/night + $2/horse $15,711 $14,926 $16,141 $14,346 $16,953 Fairfax Lake $11/night $8,991 $9,533 $12,482 $11,176 $10,080 Watson Creek $11/night $7,782 $7,201 $7,905 $7,772 $8,497 McLeod Rec. (North) $11/night $7,385 $7,088 $7,982 $8,602 $9,132 McLeod Rec. (South) $11/night $7,883 $8,733 $8,969 $9,580 $10,683 Pembina Forks $11/night $2,412 $1,615 $2,884 $3,006 $2,140 Obed Lake $11/night $5,375 $5,949 $5,833 $5,084 $5,258 Emerson Lakes $11/night $6,636 $6,049 $7,199 $5,298 $7,058 McLeod Group $105/group $4,759 $4,968 $4,037 $6,180 $5,348 Lovett $11/night $1,814 $1,961 $6,441 $3,598 $2,061 Little Sundance $11/night $309 $100 $84 $108 $381 Rock Lake $16/night + $2-4/horse $31,840 $31,493 $33,537 $26,949 $30,058 Wildhay Group $105/group $2,906 $3,329 $5,497 $3,770 $4,941 Gregg Cabin $11/night or $105/group $6,026 $4,815 $6,601 $5,587 $7,321 Petite Lake $11/night $5,537 $5,934 $8,972 $8,067 $9,134 Wildhorse Lake $23/night $0 $21,826 $22,568 $19,218 $30,219 Kinky Lake $23/night $0 $5,108 $4,432 $5,353 $7,382 Brazeau River $10/night $882 $679 $1,099 $1,102 $693 Brown Creek $10/night $1,531 $1,199 $1,370 $1,981 $2,087 Elk River $10/night $1,040 $1,211 $1,560 $1,831 $1,172 GST, other fees ($5,941) ($7,186) ($8,280) ($7,430) ($10,688)Site Levy fee Wildhorse/Kinky 2014 - $3/user night

2015 - $6/user night ($3,961) ($6,744) ($6,330) ($9,372)Totals Net revenue $112,877 $134,584 $152,584 $136,864 $150,539

Costs/BenefitsYear 2015 2014 2013 2012 2012 totalsMaintenance $289,201 $249,938 $224,334 $211,198 $208,496 $1,183,166

Upgrades $9,700 $38,978 $12,025 $54,165 $17,380 $132,248

Conservation Officers $49,647 $48,036 $46,821 $45,203 $44,100 $233,806

Communication Tools (e.g. maps, signs, etc.) $6,768 $11,447 $5,940 $64,392 $88,547

Site Levy fees $10,705 $10,705

Donations $1,000 $6,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $10,000

Totals $369,035 $344,966.00 $297,640.00 $319,517.14 $337,380.10 $1,658,472

Year 2015 2014 2013 2012 2012 totalsFox Creek (maintenance contractor) $284,593 $279,258 $228,994 $267,531 $202,552 $1,262,928

Firewood $12,934 $11,708 $6,239 $30,881

Parks Conservation Officers - $233,806 Upgrades to sites - $132,248 Site levies – irritant Fox Creek – 1.26 million. Aboriginal employment Rec map and trail maps – about 20,000 free re maps Firewood - $31,000; doesn’t include any logging cost except

transportation.

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Fox Creek Development Not-for-profit Aboriginal owned and operated business Been maintaining HWP’s large recreation program since 2000. Duties include:

Maintains and operates an office building in Hinton. Maintains and annually updates a Health and Safety Plan Operates a phone reservation and credit card system (for reserving and paying for

campsites). Collect all fees associated with the campgrounds (cash, cheques, credit cards). This cash is

processed by Fox Creek and a cheque is provided to HWP monthly. Bucks firewood into small lengths suitable for splitting with an axe. Firewood is delivered

to all campgrounds. All maintenance of campgrounds and their associated woodyards. This means:

o Regular cleaning of toilets, emptying of garbage bins, fish bins, etc.o Keeping wood bins stocked with firewood.o Ensure campgrounds are clean and tidy o Yearly documented inspection of campgrounds for danger trees o Yearly documented site visits with Parks staff to inventory campgrounds and agree on maintenance issues.o Regular (e.g. every number of years) painting of campground infrastructure o Year-end reports to HWP and Parks summarizing fees and expenses

Fox Creek Development All trail systems are cleared of blowdown and inventoried for issues

once per year (in the spring).

Most major upgrades are carried out by Fox Creek. For example: Putting together and delivering picnic tables Building wood-bins Walking bridges Erecting campsite markers Installing campsite fire-pits Making significant repairs to buildings (e.g. chimneys, windows, doors, etc.) Brushing out campsites and campground roads or trails Building kiosks

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Information for partners User survey in 2002, 2006 and 2013 Valuable information about use, satisfaction, issues, suggestions

Year of SurveyEdmonton

& AreaEdson, Hinton, Jasper & Area

Other Alberta BC

Other Canada

Outside Canada Total

Sample Size

2002 Survey 42% 22% 30% 4% 2% 0% 100.0% 196

2006 Survey 48% 22% 26% 2% 1% 0% 100.0% 246

2013 Survey 37% 35% 27% 0% 0% 0% 100.0% 206

Place of Residence

Information for partnersSurvey Yes, Aware FRMA

Manages CampgroundsNo, Not Aware, or Wrong Answer

Didn't Answer

total Sample Size

2002 Survey 58% 41% 1% 100% 197

2006 Survey 70% 29% 1% 100% 246

2013 Survey 67% 33% 0% 100% 206

Camper Awareness of Who Manages FRMA Campgrounds (2002, 2006, 2013)

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Information for partners

Issues moving forward Funding – looking for additional partners Parks levy fees – so far West Fraser is only contract in province without

levy fees; contract has is expired. Parks is direct awarding contract to HWP, but needs to notify.

Conservation Officers – with potential funding issues and levy fees, paying for two GoA employees may be unsustainable

Free firewood – This continues to be a challenge. Waste in the yard, unsalvaged energy wood, pulp wood have all been used in the past. 20-30 loads are used each year.

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Summary Very innovative program, nothing like it anywhere else in Western Canada Most inexpensive high quality camping in Alberta. Want it to stay that

way. Price point is very sensitive Free firewood – no where else (loved by the public) Parks is very happy with the relationship Aboriginal employment Could do a better job of getting politicians to understand the program

Questions/Discussion