ATPPL Study Update

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

2. Introduction ATPPL Study Update • 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 17th City update

3. Goals & Objectives ATPPL Study Update 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

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

5. History of Project ATPPL Study Update ATPPLStudy 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

6. Project Efforts to Date ATPPL Study Update

7. Project Efforts to Date ATPPL Study Update

8. Project Efforts to Date ATPPL Study Update

9. ATPPL Study Update Grant Application 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

10. ATPPL Study Update Grant Application 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

11. ATPPL Study Update Grant Application 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

12. ATPPL Study Update Phase Two 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 If Phase 2 Grant is Awarded Implementation Plan

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

14. Preliminary Alternatives

15. ATPPL Study Update Preliminary Alternatives 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 Preliminary Alternatives Development

16. ATPPL Study Update Public Outreach 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) Stakeholder Interviews • September & October (2008) • Refuge Visitor’s/Education Center • 26 Organizations • 450+ Comments Received

17. ATPPL Study Update Public Outreach 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)

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

19. 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

20. No Action Preliminary Alternative Elements • No Change to Existing Infrastructure • Shared Use Path Recommendations • Recommendations identified by Shared Use Master Plan

21. No Action Shared Use Master Plan

22. 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

23. Refuge Only Non-motorized Elements

24. Refuge Only Motorized Elements

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

26. Island Only Motorized Elements

27. Island Only Non-motorized Elements: Wayfinding

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

29. ATPPL Study Update Next Steps 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

30. ATPPL Study Update Next Steps • 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

31. ATPPL Study Update Comments and Questions…