Management Guidelines
of
Walking D Incorporated

 ______
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Walking D Management Guidelines

Corporate Officers

 

First Draft  - This is intended to be reviewed and modified as approved by a majority vote

 Index

Range Management

Forest Management

Water Resources Management

Irrigated Fields Management

Outbuilding Management

Roads and Vehicle Access

Ranch Vehicle Usage

Recreational Family Use

Recreational Use By Non-Corporate Member

Occupation of the Ranch

Commercial Development

Grievance Procedure

 

 

And eventually

Ranch House management


Range Management                                                                  Index

Grazing Policies

Grazing livestock will be done in a way that is sustainable and responsible to maintaining a healthy ecosystem in its practice.  Close attention will be given to evaluating the health of the forage, timing of grazing, and stocking rates as specified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  This includes:

·        To maintain the health and vigor of the rangeland grazing will not be done on  no one pasture more than half the growing season.  The growing season starts around the end of March and ends when the bunchgrass sets seed and goes dormant for the year around the 4th of July.  With two pastures grazing can be done from May 15th to July 1st on one pasture and then graze the second pasture from July 2nd to snow fall.  Once the bunchgrass goes dormant in July then it is simply standing hay.   Grazing use will be rotated on range land so that no range pasture is grazed two springs in a row.

·        The condition of the range will be evaluated by a third party range specialist at the onset of beginning a grazing program and every two years thereafter.  This input will be taken into consideration for making any changes or adjustments to the amount of head grazed and where they have access.

·        The irrigated fields will be utilize as an integrated system designed to reduce access to the open range as a sole source for grazing.  They will also be maintained as a way to minimize the population of noxious weeds.  Management of these fields may include further division into smaller paddocks utilizing temporary or more permanent fences upon approval of the Board of Directors.

·        The owner of the livestock assumes all responsibility for damages done by their animals both on the Walking D Ranch and off.

           

Fence Maintenance

The upkeep and management expense of all fences is the responsibility of the Corporation unless an existing grazing lease or other such Board of Directors approved arrangement is in place.  Without such an optional agreement the Corporation will be obliged to maintain the perimeter containment fence by volunteer or hired labor.  It is agreed that the perimeter fences will be maintained on an annual bases and will not be allowed to deteriorate.

Livestock Access to Water

The health of the waterways on the ranch is of utmost importance and all access to them by livestock will be closely monitored so as to maintain their health and to limit damage.

·        Access to the Slough for water and graze will be limited to a small portion and not open access to its entirety for sustained periods of time.  

·        Access to The Dam and its watershed will be monitored closely so as to avoid their degradation.

·        Placement of watering troughs will be utilized to limit animal access to wetlands and waterways.

·        Alternative devices for gaining livestock access to water, such as a spring box placed at the Orchard, will be encouraged.

 


Forest Management                                                               Index

Management of the pine, cottonwood and aspen tree population will be consistent with the intention to keep a healthy and vibrant tree population on the ranch.  Professional input will be sought on a regular basis so as to formulate a forest management plan based on scientific criteria and management guidelines.

·        Live trees: Cutting of live trees is not permitted prior to approval of the Board of Directors.  It is generally agreed that any tree with green growth is considered to be still living.  Any action taken towards standing trees in question of their health due to disease or bug infestation will be addressed directly to the Board of Directors prior to granting permission for their removal.

·        Forest thinning: Thinning of forests is limited to removing dead or down trees.    It is recognized that the removal of forest litter and standing dead timber is advantageous for the health of the land and the minimization of combustible material should a forest fire occur.  However, harvesting timber and firewood should be done primarily from alternative sources off the ranch.

·        The Orchard: Pruning and removal or burning of dead and down branches and debris in the Orchard will be done primarily to maintain the health of the fruit trees and access to them.

·        The Slough: The dead and down cottonwood and alder trees in the Slough are a part of the natural life cycle of the forest and should be allowed to decompose and contribute to the nourishment of the soil. Thinning, burning and removal of this wood is permissible only on a minimal basis allowing for access to trails, roadways and the work conducted towards rejuvenating the tree population.   

 


Water Resource Management                                                Index

Water resources are defined as all water above and below the ground.  It is generally agreed that the water on the ranch is owned by all corporation members as a shared resource.  Preservation of water rights and use of water for irrigation, animal watering and domestic or commercial use will be subject to management and approval by the Board of Directors. 

Specific water resource management policies are as follows:

·        The Dam water level will be maintained at its maximum holding capacity except for the occasional releasing of water down the Pioneer Ditch during spring and early summer runoffs.

·        The Pioneer Irrigation Ditch will be maintained as a distribution channel for spring runoff.  Its purpose is to redistribute water from Scot Canyon into the ranch hillsides and aquifer.

·        The Slough is intended to be maintained as a healthy wetlands and one day returned to the status of  riparian zone with flowing water through its course.  All management and use practices should reflect the desire to promote its healthy tree and wildlife population.  Livestock access to its waterways should be closely managed so as not to damage the banks and water course.  Trails for horse back rides are acceptable if kept to a minimum.  Should restoration projects be implemented by the corporation – funded or not by outside sources – it is recognized that further fencing our of livestock may be required.

 


Irrigated Fields Management                                               Index

The purpose of maintaining pasture grass in the lower irrigated fields is done so primarily to combat the  growth of noxious weeds and to contribute to the grazing strategies that reduce the length of time and number of head that are turned out onto the range.  These fields have a precedence for being used for agricultural purposes and remain open for further development in that line open to Board of Directors approval.           

Maintenance of the pump, irrigation pipes and sprinkler system remain the responsibility of the corporation unless a written agreement stating otherwise is approved by the Board of Directors and is on file with the corporate Secretary.

           


Outbuilding Management                                                Index

It is recognized that the barns, sheds and workshop currently belong to Barbara Doran and the Doran Revocable Trust.  By her permission they are made accessible to family members and others who have been granted her permission.  Their usage should be done so with respect for their maintenance and orderly access to work space for the benefit of all.  Tools and machinery stored within are the property and responsibility of their owners.  Removal of said property is only permissible with the owner’s permission and a consideration of general shared usage for what is taken.   

New Outbuilding Construction

Construction of structures such as sheds and barns shall be done only with approval of the Board of Directors.

 


Roads and Vehicle Access                                                    Index

 Motorized vehicles will be restricted to established roadways with the exception of maintenance work requiring access to parts of the ranch not adjacent to roads, as well as for access to forests for the removal of dead and down timber.  This policy specifically addresses a desire to limit damage to the range and waterways caused by vehicular access.  Off-road recreational motor vehicle access is not accepted on hillsides and fields where a road doesn’t exist.

 

Road maintenance

Maintenance of all access roads on the ranch is the shared responsibility of all corporate members unless a specific written agreement is accepted by the Board of Directors and is files with the Secretary stating otherwise.

 

New road construction or excavations

Any construction of new roads or excavations will be done only at the approval of the Board of Directors.

Snowmobiles

Snowmobile access to the ranch is permitted within controlled areas such as areas usually accessed by road during dry seasons and the lower fields near the barns.  Primary concern is avoidance of damage to the deer population that winters on the Walking D Ranch.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bike access is restricted to establish roadways and existing trails.  The concern is to avoid damaging the landscape by adding further disturbance to the topsoil.

 


Ranch Vehicle and Equipment Use                                     Index

Trucks and tractors are shared corporate assets for general use on the ranch.  Their maintenance is a corporate responsibility and expense.  No vehicle or farm machinery shall be lent out or removed for other than corporate member use without the permission of the Board of Directors.  Corporate member use is granted so long as it is done with responsible care.  General maintenance – oil, hydraulic fluids, grease, tires, batteries – is recognized as a corporate expense.  Damage done through the negligence of the operator shall be their responsibility to repair.

 


 

Recreational Family Use                                                       Index

The ranch is open for recreational use by family members and their guests as long as it is done with respect and responsible consideration of any concurrent activity taking place on the ranch in accordance with state and federal law and fire regulations. Specific considerations include:

·        Communicating special usage of the property that includes potential danger to others such as using firearms.  Openly communicating when these activities are occurring and coordinating ranch access should be implemented so as to avoid accidents.

·        Use of areas such as the deck at The Dam for specific scheduled events – yoga retreats and special gatherings – will be respected and unmolested.  Any usage conflicts of schedule will be subject to Board of Directors resolution.

·        Recreational use – such as horseback riding, hiking, dirt-bike riding, camping, snowmobiling, boating, hunting, picnics and bar-b-ques  – shall be openly supported by the Corporation as long as they are done with respect for the health of the land, wildlife and the humans involved. 

 


Recreational Use By Non-Corporate Members               Index

Access and usage of the ranch by non-corporate members for commercial events, schools and retreats shall be done so only by approval of the Board of Directors and any access management plan they enact.  The general policy is that we are open to share our ranch asset with others so long as it done with respect to the land and wildlife, as well as does not conflict with scheduled events, or infringes upon corporate member’s rights to priority access.  Disputes in regards to this are subject to resolution by the Board of Directors.

Joggers, hikers and mountain bike riders are to be treated respectfully and should be courteously reminded that the ranch is private property.  It is corporate policy to be considerate of how we as land owners are perceived in the community and how cooperative we are in granting reasonable access to the ranch.  Fore safety reasons access during hunting season in particularly should be channeled through one central corporate member.  Currently that person is John Doran.

 


Occupation of the Ranch Ranch                             Index

 Sustained occupation of the ranch will be limited and subject to Board of Directors approval.  This includes:

·        Guests or employees utilizing tents, campers or any other temporary dwelling

·        Residence in any ranch building or dwelling

 

 


Commercial Development                                                       Index

Any commercial development on the ranch shall be done only with the approval of the Board of Directors.  Areas that have been identified for possible use are the Shrier Flats, the Cup corner, and the parcel of land where the spec houses are located.

 


Grievance Procedure                                                              Index

 

 

 

 


 

And eventually:

Ranch House Management                                                   Index

            Upkeep

            Expenses

            Usage and coordinating access