Master Planning: Making It More Efficient

Master Planning: Making It More Efficient Master Planning:Master Planning: Making It More EfficientMaking It More Efficient

NY State ParksNY State Parks

Agency Priority ThemesAgency Priority Themes

1.1. Revitalize State Parks & Revitalize State Parks & Historic SitesHistoric Sites

2.2. Enhance Natural Resource Enhance Natural Resource Stewardship & InterpretationStewardship & Interpretation

3.3. Make Connections Make Connections –– Advance our Advance our statewide Parks, Open Space, Historic statewide Parks, Open Space, Historic Preservation & Smart Growth MissionPreservation & Smart Growth Mission

4.4. Embrace SustainabilityEmbrace Sustainability

1. Revitalize State Parks 1. Revitalize State Parks and Historic Sitesand Historic SitesMaster Plans define capital facility Master Plans define capital facility development needs development needs –– particularly for particularly for newly acquired, undeveloped parks newly acquired, undeveloped parks ––and provide upfront SEQRA approval for and provide upfront SEQRA approval for park development actions. park development actions. Master Plans can serve as a catalyst for Master Plans can serve as a catalyst for securing increased agency funding for securing increased agency funding for capital needs.capital needs.

2. Enhance Natural Resource 2. Enhance Natural Resource Stewardship & InterpretationStewardship & Interpretation

3. Connections: Parks, Open 3. Connections: Parks, Open Space, & Smart Growth Space, & Smart Growth MissionMission

Master Plans consider the larger landscape Master Plans consider the larger landscape within which the Park or Historic Site sits. within which the Park or Historic Site sits. Threats to adjacent buffer lands that could Threats to adjacent buffer lands that could degrade the parkdegrade the park’’s scenic qualities or natural s scenic qualities or natural or cultural resources are identified. or cultural resources are identified. Strategies are proposed to protect the Strategies are proposed to protect the integrity of the Parks and Sites integrity of the Parks and Sites –– land land purchases, conservation easements, purchases, conservation easements, engagement in local land use planning, engagement in local land use planning, connections to other protected lands.connections to other protected lands.

4. Sustainability4. Sustainability

Master Plans & Interim Management Master Plans & Interim Management Guides (IMG) should explicitly identify Guides (IMG) should explicitly identify ““Green DesignGreen Design”” and ecological and ecological sustainability elements appropriate for sustainability elements appropriate for each Park and Historic Site.each Park and Historic Site.Energy efficiency; alternative energy use; Energy efficiency; alternative energy use; ““greengreen”” building products; carbon building products; carbon sequestration opportunities; impacts of sequestration opportunities; impacts of climate change and sea level rise; etc.climate change and sea level rise; etc.

ActionAction Must Follow Planning!Must Follow Planning!Capital fundingCapital funding commitments from SPIF, EPF, commitments from SPIF, EPF, and other sources should flow from Plans. and other sources should flow from Plans. Plans should help guide selection of the Plans should help guide selection of the agencyagency’’s s Land AcquisitionLand Acquisition Priorities.Priorities.Develop a mechanism whereby action steps Develop a mechanism whereby action steps identified in our plans are directly integrated into identified in our plans are directly integrated into Regional Office and Park & Historic Site Regional Office and Park & Historic Site annual annual workplansworkplans..Periodically check our progress on Periodically check our progress on implementing action stepsimplementing action steps in our Master Plans in our Master Plans and IMGs. and IMGs.

FiveFive--Year Goal Year Goal –– By 2012:By 2012:

Complete 25 Master Plans.Complete 25 Master Plans.Complete 25 Other Plans, such as Complete 25 Other Plans, such as Interim Management Guides, Interim Management Guides, Recreational Trail Plans, and Natural and Recreational Trail Plans, and Natural and Historic Resource Stewardship Plans.Historic Resource Stewardship Plans.

Sterling ForestSterling Forest Master PlanMaster Plan

Robert Robert WehleWehle SPSP Interim Management GuideInterim Management Guide

•Day to day management

plan

•Day to day management

plan

Trails PlanTrails Plan

Natural Resource PlanNatural Resource Plan

These plans can focus on These plans can focus on specific plants, animals, specific plants, animals, habitats, or natural areashabitats, or natural areasDesigned to benefit the Designed to benefit the environmentenvironment

ChallengeChallenge

Create a document Create a document that is concisethat is conciseCreate a document Create a document that a park that a park manager will use manager will use ––not leave on a not leave on a shelfshelfComplete a draft Complete a draft plan within one plan within one yearyear

Year One PlansYear One Plans

Master PlansMaster PlansJamesportJamesportSaratoga SpaSaratoga SpaMinnewaskaMinnewaskaTwo RiversTwo RiversMidwayMidwayCaumsettCaumsett

Other PlansOther PlansHarlem Valley Rail Trail IMGHarlem Valley Rail Trail IMGPIPC Connectivity RMPPIPC Connectivity RMPClay Pit Ponds TP/RMPClay Pit Ponds TP/RMPTrump SP IMGTrump SP IMGLetchworthLetchworth RMPRMPNiagara River Parkway Niagara River Parkway StudiesStudies

Year Two PlansYear Two Plans

Master PlansMaster PlansFahnestockFahnestock/ Hudson / Hudson Highlands SP Highlands SP ComplexComplexAllegany SPAllegany SPRobert Robert WehleWehleEast RiverEast RiverGreen LakesGreen Lakes

Other PlansOther PlansMohawk River IMGMohawk River IMGAllegany TPAllegany TPHarriman IMGHarriman IMGBethpage TPBethpage TPSackettsSacketts Harbor IMGHarbor IMGSunken Meadows IMGSunken Meadows IMGIona Island Invasive Iona Island Invasive Spp. PlanSpp. Plan

Years Three Years Three –– Five PlanFive Plan

Parks have been identifiedParks have been identifiedList can be modifiedList can be modified

1. Lessons Learned1. Lessons Learned

Each park is unique Each park is unique Assess the resourcesAssess the resourcesAssess the issuesAssess the issuesAssess the playersAssess the players

InternalInternalExternalExternal

20082008--09 Master Plans09 Master Plans

Midway State Park

Two Rivers State Park

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Saratoga Spa State

Park

Caumsett State

Historic Park

Jamesport State Park

Jamesport SPJamesport SP

CaumsettCaumsett SPSP

Minnewaska Park Minnewaska Park PreservePreserve

Saratoga Spa SPSaratoga Spa SP

Two Rivers SPTwo Rivers SP

Midway SPMidway SP

Planning ProcessPlanning Process

ImplementationImplementation

EnvironmentalReview

EnvironmentalReview

AlternativesAlternatives

AnalysisAnalysis

InventoryInventory

Public InputPublic Input

The PlanThe Plan

Plan/EIS DevelopmentPlan/EIS Development

Core Plan Team

Core Plan Team

Study GroupStudy Group

PublicPublic

PlanPlanPlan

Core Team ApproachCore Team Approach

Core TeamCore TeamLimited Number of Limited Number of StaffStaff

Lead PlannerLead PlannerCentral OfficeCentral OfficeRegional Regional AdministrationAdministrationPark ManagementPark ManagementInterest groups / Interest groups / Consultants (optional)Consultants (optional)

Resource StaffResource StaffInvited as neededInvited as needed

2. Lessons Learned2. Lessons LearnedLead Planner Lead Planner –– Point PersonPoint PersonShared files Shared files –– Core TeamCore TeamMaster files Master files –– Planner onlyPlanner onlyKnow the dynamics of the regionKnow the dynamics of the regionMaintain good communicationsMaintain good communicationsDocument decisions / meeting notesDocument decisions / meeting notesCreate clear agendasCreate clear agendasMaintain schedulesMaintain schedules

Upper ManagementUpper Management

Primary contact personPrimary contact personKeep informedKeep informedProvide direction on key issuesProvide direction on key issues

And then there is Dan.And then there is Dan.


Focus only on key issuesFocus only on key issuesKeep briefing papers/presentations shortKeep briefing papers/presentations shortLook for direction not decisions during Look for direction not decisions during planning processplanning processCan avoid Can avoid ““surprisessurprises”” later in the processlater in the process

Study GroupsStudy Groups

Comprised of interest groups and individualsComprised of interest groups and individualsManageable sizeManageable sizeProvide Provide information to the information to the Core TeamCore TeamFocus on the Focus on the entire park or a entire park or a specific element specific element

Study GroupStudy Group

Does not have an active role in decision Does not have an active role in decision making or the authority for any approvals making or the authority for any approvals regarding the plan.regarding the plan.Meetings and Workshops are held with Meetings and Workshops are held with this group routinely through out the this group routinely through out the planning processplanning process


Time consumingTime consumingLimiting size may be challengingLimiting size may be challengingNeeds a clearly defined roleNeeds a clearly defined roleMake meetings/workshops meaningfulMake meetings/workshops meaningfulGenerates public support of plan Generates public support of plan –– ““buy buy inin””

Public ParticipationPublic Participation

Information meetingInformation meetingOverview of park Overview of park and planning and planning processprocessIdentify Identify issues/concernsissues/concerns

Provide summary of Provide summary of issuesissues

Understand the needs of the public.Understand the needs of the public.


Engage all stakeholdersEngage all stakeholdersDevelop a standard data baseDevelop a standard data baseDevelop templatesDevelop templates

Meeting NoticeMeeting NoticeInformation sheetInformation sheetPresentationPresentationComment cardComment card

Adjust to the audienceAdjust to the audienceKeep the public informedKeep the public informed

Preparing for the PlanPreparing for the Plan ““Think AheadThink Ahead””

Studies and surveys that will be requiredStudies and surveys that will be requiredEcological inventoryEcological inventoryCultural resource survey Cultural resource survey User surveysUser surveysTraffic studiesTraffic studies

Pre kickPre kick--off meeting with regional staffoff meeting with regional staff

6. Lesson Learned6. Lesson Learned

Understand the time required to complete Understand the time required to complete studies and surveys studies and surveys Studies and surveys that are needed for Studies and surveys that are needed for a plan can delay the process a plan can delay the process

Master Plan ElementsMaster Plan Elements

InventoryInventoryAssessmentAssessmentAnalysisAnalysisAlternativesAlternativesPlanPlanEnvironmental Environmental ReviewReview

Master Plan TemplateMaster Plan Template

Guides the development of the planGuides the development of the planDescribes and outlines each chapterDescribes and outlines each chapterHelps to limit the size of the documentHelps to limit the size of the documentUtilizes support documents, studies and Utilizes support documents, studies and reportsreportsUsed as a check list of what needs to be Used as a check list of what needs to be accomplishedaccomplished

Agency PrioritiesAgency Priorities

SustainabilitySustainabilityEcosystem Based Management (EBM)Ecosystem Based Management (EBM)


Time is required to develop templatesTime is required to develop templatesTemplates, once developed, enhance the Templates, once developed, enhance the planning process planning process Templates need to be dynamic Templates need to be dynamic ––modified through experiencemodified through experienceTailored to the parkTailored to the parkIntegrates agency priorities within the Integrates agency priorities within the planplan

Support Units and BureausSupport Units and Bureaus

Various bureaus and units provide Various bureaus and units provide support functionssupport functions

GIS UnitGIS UnitNatural Heritage ProgramNatural Heritage ProgramHistoric PreservationHistoric Preservation

Early coordination to establish standards Early coordination to establish standards and identify information needsand identify information needs

GIS Resources GIS Resources GIS Unit StaffGIS Unit StaffGIS DataGIS Data

Base Data Base Data -- roads, boundaries, roads, boundaries, hydrographyhydrographyImageryImageryTopographyTopographySoilsSoilsHeritage DataHeritage Data

AnalysisAnalysisGPS DataGPS DataMap Production (map templates)Map Production (map templates)

Natural Heritage DataNatural Heritage Data


Common understanding of what is Common understanding of what is expected expected –– data and outputdata and outputCore teams should raise concerns but let Core teams should raise concerns but let technical support units solve themtechnical support units solve themAgreed upon standards can facilitate the Agreed upon standards can facilitate the processprocess

ConsultantsConsultants

Term Consultants vs. Master Plan Term Consultants vs. Master Plan ConsultantsConsultantsCan be part of Core TeamCan be part of Core TeamProvides input and/or undertakes tasks Provides input and/or undertakes tasks that cannot be accomplished by the Core that cannot be accomplished by the Core TeamTeam

Sometimes you just have to make sure Consultants

are working on the plan.

Sometimes you just have to make sure Consultants

are working on the plan.


Requires detailed scope of workRequires detailed scope of workSingle agency contact personSingle agency contact personFocus on items that cannot be Focus on items that cannot be accomplished by the Core Teamaccomplished by the Core TeamTerm Consultant provides flexibilityTerm Consultant provides flexibilityAssess and direct fiscal resources to Assess and direct fiscal resources to most critical informational needsmost critical informational needs

Expect the UnexpectedExpect the Unexpected

Political climates Political climates can changecan changeFiscal realities can Fiscal realities can influence the influence the planning processplanning processOutside influences Outside influences and interest and interest groups can effect groups can effect the final decisionsthe final decisions

10. Lessons learned10. Lessons learnedActions are taken that are beyond your Actions are taken that are beyond your controlcontrolLook ahead to what can be doneLook ahead to what can be doneThe planning process, regardless of The planning process, regardless of whether a plan is adopted, will benefit the whether a plan is adopted, will benefit the parkparkDo not take the process personallyDo not take the process personallyTake pride in what you doTake pride in what you do

The EndThe End

QUESTIONS?

WhatWhat’’s on the CDs on the CD

Power Point Power Point PresentationPresentation

Master Planning Master Planning GuidelinesGuidelines

for the for the NY State Park SystemNY State Park System

Interim Management Interim Management Guidelines Guidelines

for thefor the NY State Park SystemNY State Park System

TEMPLATE for a

Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact

Statement

TEMPLATE TEMPLATE forfor aa

Draft Master Plan/Draft Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Environmental Impact

StatementStatement

Other TemplatesOther Templates

Planning Team TemplatesPlanning Team TemplatesCore Team Core Team Study GroupStudy Group

Public Information Meeting TemplatesPublic Information Meeting TemplatesScheduling TemplatesScheduling TemplatesMailing List TemplateMailing List Template

Detailed Schedule of Completion Master Plan Chapters/SectionsName of ParkPreliminary Draft Plan Complete Date: ______________

Chapter/Section of the Plan

Description Party(s) Responsible

for Composition

Date Draft

Sections due to

Planner

Date Notice Sent to

Core Team

Status/State of

Completion (%)

Core Team

Approval(Date)

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.Planning and Environmental Review

Explains how the plan combines the plan and EIS into one document (Text is in the template and requires some info to be filled in)

Planner

2. Q&A About This Plan

Addresses common questions about the planning process. (Text is in the template and requires some info to be filled in)

Planner

3. Introduction to the Park

Discusses when the park was established, past planning efforts and the reason for preparation of this MP.

DATE* STEP___________ Lead Agency letter distributed

(30 days min before Positive Declaration issued)___________ Information Meeting Packet___________ Positive Declaration Issued

Notice of Public Info/Information Packet Made Available ___________ Press Release

(2 weeks min. before scoping meeting; 4 weeks min to end of comment period)

___________ Public Information Meeting___________ End of Comment Period___________ Summary of Comments ___________ Additional Workshops (optional)___________ Preliminary Draft Submitted ___________ RMG meeting

Comments and Recommendations to Executive Staff(2 weeks for Executive Staff review)

___________ Commissioner Approval of Draft MP/DEISRevisions (if any) made to Draft MP/DEIS

___________ NOC of DEIS/Notice of Public Hearing(Minimum of 2 weeks before hearing and minimum 6 week comment period)

___________ Public Hearing (Pre-hearing Workshop Optional)

MASTER PLAN / EIS SCHEDULE

PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS MEETINGS –– GENERIC GENERIC FORMSFORMS

Notice to holding public meetingsNotice to holding public meetingsPublic information meeting invitation Public information meeting invitation letterletterComment FormComment FormSign in sheetSign in sheetChecklist for public information meetingChecklist for public information meetingPublic information meeting summaryPublic information meeting summaryResponse to comments letterResponse to comments letter

List of FieldsStatus – Mrs., Mr., Ms., Miss, HonorableFirst NameLast NameTitleCompanyAddress 1Address 2CityStateZipPhoneFaxEmailGroup Type – Federal Government, Federal Agency, State Legislature, State Agency, Parks Commission, County Government, Town/Village/City Government/Official, User Group, Friends Group, General PublicMailing/Notification – Commissioner Letter and Full Plan, Full Plan, NOC & Executive Summary, Letter/E-mail notice.

Master Plan Mailing/Distribution List Database Template

State Park Master PlanSummary of Participants and Timeline

Facility Name: Insert Facility Name

The purpose of this form is capture key information, including participants, responsibilities, and timelines, for each Master Plan initiated by the agency.

1. Preparer of This Document: 2. Date This Document Was Prepared / Updated3. Type of Plan4. Core Planning Team Members5. Resource Persons6. Executive Direction7. Consultant

Documents

Master Planning: Making It More Efficient