Watershed land swap will head for a vote

JACKSONVILLE — Voters will decide in November whether the city should
swap 380 acres of its watershed with the Motorcycle Riders Association
for about $845,000 in cash and 40 acres of land held by the group.

The Jacksonville City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to place the measure
on the ballot following a public hearing on the proposal attended by
an overflow audience.

Council members Paul Becker, Chris Gilman, Linda Meyers, Donna Schatz
and Dan Winterburn voted for a motion offered by Becker to place the
issue on the ballot. Mayor Bruce Garrett and Councilman John Dodero
opposed the measure.

Under the proposal, the city would take ownership of 40 acres,
including a parking lot adjacent to Forest Park. MRA would gain
acreage in the upper watershed adjacent to land it already holds.

Money received by the city from property sales can be used only for
capital improvements or purchases and city officials have said they
would consider using the funds to repair the city's reservoir dam.

An appraisal put the value of the city acreage, with timber, at
$1,140,000. The MRA land is valued at $166,000, with timber, according
to the proposal. But the city would also have to provide a
reimbursement of $131,000 for the value of parking improvements made
with a state parks grant for OHV facilities.

MRA officials have said they would seek grant money for the purchase
from a State Parks Department fund derived from gasoline taxes paid by
off-road users.

Proponents of the swap say it would provide Forest Park with increased
parking and consolidate ownership areas so they could be better
managed. Opponents say it would lead to increased use of off-road
vehicles in the city's watershed, which could lead to erosion and
other environmental issues.

"This is a really big decision to make," said Gilman. "I've gotten a
lot of information on both sides — sell it, don't sell it. We'll put
it out for the people."

One resident who has criticized recent council actions was pleased
with the outcome.

"It's a good indication that it's not going to continue to be business
as usual," said Art Krueger. "Enough of the council people are
beginning to realize that they are going to have to fully represent
their constituents and make decisions in terms of what's expected of
them."

A land swap vote would allow citizens the opportunity to express their
will on the development of Forest Park, said Krueger.

City Council will need to review the language of the ballot measure
before it's filed with the county, said Garrett. The election would be
Nov. 2.

"That (measure) assumes that by the time the voters make the decision
that the MRA would still be interested in doing this thing," said
Garrett.

Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at
tboomwriter@gmail.com.