Winter Access Plan
The following is proposed as the Winter Access
Plan for Hoback Ranches roads system with the declared purpose and intent of
providing for and maintaining the roads under winter conditions for
safety of the residents and the general
public.
General Rules:
A.
The
Winter Access Matrix (see attached) shall be used as a means of assessing the
overall safe conditions of the roads in at least the following
areas:
a. The
amount of snow accumulation,
b.
Storm fronts, winds, and weather
conditions
c.
Driving Hazards,
d.
Maintenance of the roads,
e.
Safety of the residents and the general
public,
f.
Protection of the Roadways from damage, and
g.
Management and communication of the Winter
Committee.
The Matrix shall be reviewed weekly during the winter
season, or more frequently as changing conditions mandate. If following review,
the Matrix score is less than 80% of the total, the Chair of the Committee shall
post and close the road systems to all vehicular traffic until such time as the
score is once again above 80%. A permanent file shall be maintained by the Chair
of the Winter Committee of all Matrixes used in the assessment process.
B.
Snow
removal and dressing operations shall take place as conditions demand and
weather permits. Roads may not be
maintained at all times during to weather
conditions.
C.
The
road shall be plowed and maintained full width allowing oncoming traffic to pass
in both directions, or alternately, warning signs shall be posted in advance of
the narrow width areas, warning oncoming
traffic.
D.
Snow
berms along the road will be kept at minimum heights to allow along the road
and in line-of-sight views no higher that the seat of a snowmobile where
terrain allows. thus providing a reasonably safe view from a vehicle, to a much
smaller snow machine.
E.
There
shall be no plowing of road gravels during snow removal operations. Any quantity
of gravels accidentally displaced during plowing shall be restored to the
roadbed following snowmelt that season.
F.
All
vertical and horizontal curves with limited line-of-sight distances and
“unfriendly” obstacles (i.e. gates, culverts, boulders, etc.) shall be marked at
50 foot intervals or as appropriate, with reflective delineators maintained
above the snow levels.
G.
Provide,
erect, and maintain winter / snow related commercial grade reflective signage
along the route as may be necessary due to existing or changing conditions,
including:
h. No
turnaround, dead end
i.
Drift areas ahead
j.
Blind curves
k.
Culverts and other obstacles
H.
The
posted maximum speed of 20 mph for all types of vehicles remains in effect for
all types of traveler over the roads
system.
I.
For
safety, snow machines shall have affixed in the vertical plane, an 8 foot whip
pole with an attached triangular flag containing no less than one square foot of
a highly visible color in snow conditions.
J.
For
safety, all types of vehicles (snow cats, snow mobiles, cars, and trucks) using
the Ranch’s roads in winter shall drive / operate with their lights on at all
times.
K.
Safety
and Information Signs shall be erected and maintained at each Highway entrance
to the Hoback Ranches, advising speed limits, and safety rules and required
safety equipment. These rules shall be adhered to by anyone traveling on the
interior roads during snow conditions. This sign would include:
l.
1. Watch for snowmobile and snow removal
equipment
m. 2. Obey posted speed
limits
n. 3.
No commercial traffic
o.
4. Drive safely
p.
5. Drive at your own
risk.
L.
Designated
parking areas within the Ranches properties shall be posted and maintained for
the use of owners and visitors. Locations of, and rules for shall be posted at
all entrance gates. At this time it is proposed that the following parking areas
be developed (including seasonal permission from the specific property
owner) and
maintained:
q. Rim
Road and Skyline Drive
r.
Rim Road and Elk Drive
s.
Rim Road at the East Gate
M.
Permission
for temporary parking has been granted by the USFS inside the north fence at the
Highway during period when conditions dictate road closure. No storage of
trailers and/or highway vehicles shall be allowed in this temporary lot. The
USFS has additionally allowed for a plowed and maintained area for the safe
loading /unloading of School Buses.
N.
Plowing
of secondary roads shall be limited to those residences and locations where the
plowing equipment is stored and maintained,
including:
t.
Rim Road to 505 Rim
u. Elk
Drive and Mountain View Drive to 28
Muddy Creek
v.
Skyline Drive to 97 Skyline Drive.
O.
Signs
will be erected on closed roads indicating “Closed to Vehicle
Traffic”.
P.
Prior
requests by residents to the Winter Committee shall enable driveways located on
primary roads to be opened for visiting residents. Snow berms shall be kept to a
minimum at each requested driveway and all intersections to provide reasonably,
safe access by over-the- snow vehicles.
Q.
The
expressed intent of all of the above is to provide safe winter access for
Ranches owner / residents and their visitors. Commercial traffic of any
kind is specifically excluded from any use of these winter maintained
roads.
The Winter
Committee:
The Winter Committee shall be made up of 3 or more winter residents and shall be formed with the following
responsibilities:
w. Meeting –
in person or by other means, once a week or as needed, from beginning of plowing
thru spring break up of any year to keep current on winter issues and
challenges.
x.
Developing a plowing and maintenance plan which defines the roads
to be plowed and maintained, defining required plowing and maintenance equipment
and operational responsibilities, and the schedule and times of plowing and
planning for emergencies and extreme conditions. All of the plans, and subsequent changes
to the plan, shall be communicated to winter residents via their “communications
tree”.
y.
Development of a parking plan including defining locations (size,
permission, insurance issues and the like), alternating parking and plowing
plans, signage, and security issues
z.
Informing / coordinating with local, County, State, and Federal
stakeholders as may be required. This may include requesting the Sherriff’s
patrolling our roads in a vehicle or snow machine if
necessary.
aa.
Initiating and maintaining a “communications tree” for all interested
Ranches property and home owners on conditions, plans, and
emergencies.
bb. Notify
asap a Board member, of any serious incident, within the Ranches
winter roads network.
cc.
Delivering an update at the Annual Meeting.
Hoback Ranches Service and Improvement District Board
provisions:
A.
Plowing
of Hoback Ranches roads shall be limited to specific corridors. The intent and
spirit of this Plan shall be to provide winter residents and visitors a safe
alternative to parking on the Highways, with plowed access only as far as
designated satellite parking areas within the
Ranches.
B.
Plowing
and grooming activities shall be governed by a strict set of standards known as
the Matrix, and evaluated on a weekly basis or more frequently as changing
conditions dictate by the Winter Committee. Failure to conform to these
standards could result in a Board decision to close all winter roads until
problems are resolved.
C.
All
costs associated with winter plowing and maintenance, including costs for signs,
delineators, equipment, repairs, and fuels shall not be eligible for HRSID
budget funding. Owner operators of plowing equipment shall be fully responsible
for individual liability Insurance.
2007 – 2008 Winter
Committee
Richard Thomas, Chairman
Alternates
Gary Capron
Jim Bond
Geoff Canfield
Sandy Caldwell
Woody Caldwell
Ed Ruosch
Frederick O’Connor
Sam Clark
Shari Hahn
Lou
Love