NEWSLETTER
P.O. B ox 412, Huntsville, UT 84317
OgdenValleyLandTrust.org 801-745-9246
February 2015
Volume 3, Issue 1
Message from the Chair
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
By Jody Smith
Message from the Chair
1
Featured Easement – Patio Springs
1
What’s wrong with Ogden Valley? Actually, not much.
Featured Founder – Dave Holmstrom
2
Amazing Raise
3
Why I am a Member
4
Economic Benefits of Open Space Protection
5
2014 Members and Donors
6
Contribution Form
7
How many times have you left the valley and wished
you could stay home or return earlier than planned?
How many times have you stood at your windows,
watched wildlife or a colorful sunrise or the colors from
the sunset wash the valley?
Have you driven south
lately into an ugly brown inversion and been so happy
Volume 1, Issue 1
to return home to blue skies and fresh air? How about
came upon some reviews of Ogden Valley. My very
having to drive as little as 10-15 minutes for skiing,
favorite was “this is a place that time has
snowmobiling, camping, boating or a myriad of other
forgotten.”
favorite activities? Really, how dang great is that?
What a great compliment.
I had the
I
pleasure while traveling to Chicago recently of
know I have said this before but every inch of this
meeting a nice couple that had visited the valley.
valley is stunning.
Guess where they want to make their retirement
I was surfing the net one day and
Please see Message on page 3
Featured Easement: Patio Springs, Eden
By Shanna Francis
In 2006, Wolf Creek Properties (managed by the late
Steve Roberts) donated three parcels of land to the
Ogden Valley Land Trust (OVLT).
Subsequently, the
OVLT placed a conservation easement on the two largest
parcels, which qualified for easements due to their
conservation value.
Today, the easement covers a
16.79-acre piece of property titled Parcel “A,” which is
located between Willowbrook Lane and Patio Springs
Drive in the Patio Springs Subdivision in Eden. It also
covers another 10.87-acre piece designated as Parcel
“B,” which is located between Mountain Oak and Patio
Springs Drive.
The easement property straddles a
portion of the Wolf Creek drainage, including two
stream corridors that serve as wildlife corridors for
larger game such as deer, moose, and even cougars;
smaller mammals such as snowshoe rabbits, fox, beaver,
Please see Patio Springs on page 5
Jon Bingham & Dave Holmstrom
work on the pathway - Fall 2014
Page 2
OVLT Newsletter
Featured Founder – Dave Holmstrom
By Ruby Raccasi
UUUpdate
The Ogden Valley Land Trust (OVLT) was established
Eleven years ago, after 35 years in business, Dave
in April 1998 by a group of dedicated landowners
“retired” after he sold his company, The Packager.
and residents. Dave Holmstrom of Eden was one of
But you’re not likely to find him sitting in a rocking
the original founding members and serves on the
chair all day any time soon – he says he likes to
board today.
“keep his fingers in a lot of pots.” In addition to all
Conservation Easement
his other activities, he’s on his second term on the
Dave said when Jim Hasenyager established the
Weber-Morgan
OVLT board, Jim probably asked him if he’d be
Snowbasin part-time during the ski season, and,
interested in serving because Jim knew of his
when the snow goes, donating his time working on
involvement
the pathway on the OVLT Patio Springs conservation
with
Weber
community organizations.
Pathways
and
other
Once the OVLT was
Board
of
Health,
working
at
easement.
established, Dave served as the first vice chair and
was instrumental in ensuring that the Patio Springs
Dave says “planned growth that includes parks,
conservation easement included a provision for a
trails
pathway or trail system.
He served again as vice
community,” and he and his wife put their time and
chair (2012-2014) and currently heads the OVLT
energy into organizations and causes that reflect
Patio Springs Pathway Committee.
this philosophy.
Dave attributes his interest in recreation, trails and
open space to his great grandfather, Edwin “Dee”
Woolley, who was responsible for building the cable
with tram across the Colorado River and the trail
down the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Dave
“Every man should plant a tree under which he will
not sit” – it is up to us to care for and improve our
space
is
key
to
a
thriving
--President Theodore Roosevelt, 1912
involved in community improvement issues and
Their personal motto is
open
“There can be no greater issue
than that of conservation
in this county.”
says that he and his wife, Sharon, have been
causes for many years.
and
HAIL & FAREWELL
communities for future generations. Dave & Sharon
The Ogden Valley Land Trust has welcomed a new
co-chaired the first Ogden Earth Day Celebration in
member to its board of trustees: Mike Malmborg
1970.
of Huntsville joined the board in January 2015 and
Dave was one of the three individuals who
started the Greater Ogden community GOAL (Get
“hit the ground running.”
Out And Live!) Foundation and served as its first
He was one of the original founders of
Doug Taggart of Liberty and Meg King-McFarland
Weber Pathways. Dave served on the committee to
of Huntsville recently left the board because of
get RAMP (Recreation Arts Museums & Parks)
other commitments.
funding on the ballot. After its passage, he served
member
as chair; and last year he served as fund-raising
generously of his/her time and talents which is so
chair for the Renew RAMP Committee and was
important to the success of the OVLT and the
thrilled that RAMP was renewed with such strong
preservation, protection and stewardship of open
voter support.
space.
president.
of
our
They will be missed.
all-volunteer
board
Each
gives
Page 3
OVLT Newsletter
Message
home?
from page 1
I have had a call from a couple in
Are you willing to expend time and money to help
Pennsylvania with questions concerning the valley.
keep this valley what it is?
Unfortunately, being forgotten by time is surely
volunteering for at least one non-profit out of a
coming to an end if we don’t pay attention and help
dozen that are located in Ogden Valley?
save this valley from the Park City look because that
is exactly what we are going to end up with.
How about
Are you a land owner interested in learning more
about purchase development rights?
Let us
The dilemma facing the valley is massive growth and
know. Your comments help and donations would
everything that it brings.
be
Pollution, loss of air
quality, loss of peacefulness, loss of dark skies and
welcome.
You
can
e-mail
us
at
[email protected]
good old congestion are just some of the changes
we can look forward to. How can each and every one
of us be involved with the decisions facing this
valley? Have you taken the time to attend local or
county meetings?
Have you taken the time to
answer the survey(s) the state and county have been
doing pertaining to Ogden Valley and Canyon?
If
you have, thanks.
Amazing Raise 2014
By Ruby Raccasi
The Ogden Valley Land Trust extends a sincere
thank-you to the Community Foundation of Ogden
Preserving land by purchase development rights is
Valley (CFOV) and to those of you who contributed
one way to help avoid massive growth and its
and participated in a successful third annual
consequences.
Amazing Raise 2014.
State, local government and land
trusts can use this tool to preserve open space and
farm land. Purchase of development rights (PDR) is a
way for the land owner and residents to both
benefits. The land owner is financially compensated
for each development right they give up, and we all
benefit by unobstructed views, cleaner air, etc.,
rather than many of the other problems that follow
massive growth.
Once a PDR is in place the land
owner may continue to ranch or farm but can never
develop the property.
How do we go about funding open space initiatives?
a.
Encourage county government to set up
a fund comparable to RAMP (one cent on
every $10.00) for PDR’S; or bond for open
space;
b.
Encourage state officials to fully fund an
account yearly for open space;
c.
The Amazing Raise 2014, a community celebration
and show of support of non-profits operating in
Ogden Valley, extended from July 4 until the
culminating event -- the Amazing Raise Color 5K
and Festival held on September 6, 2014. Events of
that day included a 5k color fun run, valley schools’
walk-a-thon, great local food, non-profit booths,
KUTV2’s Casey Scott, and great prizes.
The
celebration ended with a concert featuring The Codi
Jordan Band.
At the OVLT booth, kids from 3 to 93 took part in
painting a community mural. Local artist and Eden
resident Diane Browning designed the four mural
scenes featuring views in Ogden Valley representing
the four seasons.
Unfortunately, there was not
enough time to finish the murals on September 6,
Donate to Ogden Valley Land Trust --
so plans are in the works to finish the murals so
your support will ensure the protection
that they can be displayed around the valley for all
and preservation of quality open space.
to admire and enjoy.
Please see Amazing on page 4
Page 4
OVLT Newsletter
WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE
OGDEN VALLEY LAND TRUST
By Debbie Fuller Bingham
When I was growing up in Eden, the school bus
turned around in our driveway. We were the last
home on Patio Road. Recently my husband and I
moved
back
to
my
childhood
home
and
surrounding 12 acres.
INTERESTED IN OBTAINING
INFORMATION
ABOUT APPLYING A
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
TO PROPERTY ?
The 12 acres are all that remain undeveloped of
my grandparent ts 500 acre ranch. If only
conservation easements could have been an
option after my grandma's death when my
grandpa began selling and dividing up the ranch.
Please contact
Shanna Francis at
801-745-2688
The Ogden Valley Land Trust gives me an option
for preservation as I consider the future of my
piece of Eden. I can preserve my 12 acres by
putting a conservation easement on the property.
I will specify what can or cannot be built on those
12 acres no matter how many times the property
is sold or inherited. The conservation easement
remains on the land forever.
Friends have commented to me that conservation
easements lower the value of the property. I see
just the opposite. I still own the land and I prefer
to be surrounded by natural open space instead
of homes. I see the value of the land increasing as
open space disappears.
By putting a conservation easement on my land
and being a member of the Ogden Valley Land
Trust I am doing my small part in preserving this
valley. I encourage everyone to get involved.
Become a member today -- the Ogden Valley
Land Trust needs our support. You can become a
member by donating $50 or more. I would like to
thank the OVLT board members for the endless
hours of hard work as they try to preserve and
protect the farms, ranches, and open space of
this valley.
or
Jody Smith at
801-745-9246
Amazing
from page 3
Funds raised during the Amazing Raise period by
the Ogden Valley non-profits, including the Ogden
Valley Land Trust, were matched up to $4500
each.
These matching funds are to be used for
projects that benefit the people of Ogden Valley.
The OVLT is again using its matching funds to
continue work on our pathway on the Patio Springs
conservation easement.
The Ogden Valley community is unique in its
generosity,
truly
embracing
the
spirit
of
philanthropy. The Ogden Valley Land trust could
not operate without such support for our allvolunteer organization. We hope you will join us
and the Community Foundation of Ogden Valley
again this summer for the Amazing Raise 2015.
Page 5
OVLT Newsletter
Patio Springs
from page 1
and bobcats; numerous species of fowl; and even
OVLT volunteers worked diligently throughout 2014 on
cutthroat trout.
This is a critical wildlife corridor for
the Patio Springs pathway—grubbing, spreading road
movement between the tops of the Wasatch Mountains
base, eliminating state-listed noxious weeds, erecting
to the east, and the valley floor below.
signage -- completing nearly three-fourths of the
planned trail.
The purpose of the Patio Springs easement is to ensure
that the property retains its natural character, which
provides open space and aesthetic value to the
community, along with critical habitat for the multitude
of wildlife found in the area. The easement also
protects valuable springs and wetlands, offers river and
stream bank protection to the two forks of Wolf Creek,
and provides a natural flood and overflow channel for
Economic Benefits of Open Space
Protection
The Ogden Valley Land Trust is a proud member of the
Land Trust Alliance. Here is information from a fact sheet
on their website ( www.LandTrustAlliance.org ) by
Mountain each spring. The easement also allows for a
Rand Wentworth President, Land Trust Alliance From
“Smart Investment Tip: Buy Land” Exchange, Spring 2003
public-use, non-motorized trail or trails.
The
“Communities that conserve land make an investment in
easement property is abutted on most sides by
future economic development. Companies frequently
building lots with semi-circular boundaries.
runoff from melting snowpack coming off of Powder
The
relocate where their top talent wants to live, and that is
irregular-shaped boundary lines have contributed to
most often in places of natural beauty. When land is
difficulties in the past in determining and maintaining
protected, the adjacent land often increases in value, with
clearly demarcated property lines; thus, leading to a
homes selling for 10– 20 percent more than comparable
number of former encroachments onto the Patio
homes without access to parks. Frederick Law Olmsted
Springs easement—primarily onto Parcel “A”.
first demonstrated this principle in the late 1800’s when
he documented that Central Park caused $5.4 million in
In 2013, after meeting with representatives from Weber
additional annual tax revenues, quickly repaying the $14
County’s Engineering and Planning Departments, The
million cost of the park. American consumers seem to
Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of
have grasped this simple economic principle: A survey by
Water Rights, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers,
the National Association of Homebuilders concluded that
OVLT began Phase 1 of a project to build the Patio
new homebuyers value trails and natural areas above any
Springs pathway, which will eventually encircle most of
other amenity. Saving land from development is often the
the outside boundary of Parcel “A’s” easement. The
best way to reduce government spending and avoid
area, in some regions, is heavily thicketed and
increases in property taxes. Many jurisdictions believe
forested,
vegetation
that they will make money from the property taxes on
supported by the numerous springs found on the
new subdivisions, ignoring the true cost of schools,
property. Other regions of the easement are covered
roads, police, water, and storm water management.
with grassy meadows. The pathway, which meanders
Studies show that it costs between $1.04 and $2 for every
through the property’s wooded areas and meadows,
dollar of tax revenue to provide services to a typical
will provide both trails and viewing areas for area
subdivision, so current taxpayers end up subsidizing
neighbors and their guests to enjoy, and offer access
outsiders who bring increased traffic, crowded schools,
to these natural habitats by hikers, bikers, birders,
and the loss of the community’s individual culture. It is
snowshoers,
the
also cheaper to protect clean water at its source than to
wonderful experiences offered by the outdoors. The
build expensive water treatment facilities. New York City,
pathway also serves to clearly delineate the boundaries
for example, saved $5 billion in construction costs by
of the conservation easement as a means of preventing
purchasing conservation lands around its reservoirs in the
future encroachments.
Catskill Mountains.”
composed
and
of
a
skiers—to
variety
all
of
who
enjoy
Page 6
OVLT Newsletter
Ogden Valley Land Trust - 2014 Members & Donors
Philanthropist Level $5000 +
Community Foundation of Ogden Valley
(Amazing Raise matching funds)
Steward Level $1000 - $2499
Janet Muir & David Suehsdorf
Guarantor Level $500 - $999
Reliable Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
David & Sharon Holmstrom
Benefactor Level $250 - $499
Jon & Debra Bingham
Shanna & Larry Francis
Marlin K & Kathleen Jensen
John & Donna Kimball
Jeff & Allexis Owen
Quinten & Margot Smelzer
Douglas & Erin Taggart
Patron Level $51 - $99
Nan Jensen
Contributing Member Level - $50
Sam Bellarosa
Frank & Pat Cumberland
Clay Crosland
Lisa & Walt Fuller
Mark D. Handy
Hofmeister Family
Meg King-McFarland
Richard & Carol Koski
Alan & Colleen Netzer
Kenneth Beck & Trish Painter
Stuart & Diane Schultz
Steve & Sherry Shadday
Brian Smith & Karen Bossler
Chad Smith
Clint Summers
Henry St. Laurent
Belinda Rounkles
Dan & Darla VanZeben
Eric Zenger
Sponsor Level $100 - $249
Alpine Sports
John Ambrey
Mary Voigt Able
Faith & Craig Bachman
Greg & Rita Booth
Donor Level $1 - $49
Stephen & Carol Clarke
Thomas & Diane Browning
Phillip Coleman
Jon Contos
Jan & Gary Fullmer
June Fuller
Ron & Judy Gault
Morey & JoAnn Haymond
Dan Harris
Joseph & Elizabeth Jennings
Kirk Langford & Beje Bohannan
Lyle & Gladys Mundelius
Gary Jensen
John & Annie Mull
Marion Horna & Marty Mayo
Jim Orrock
David & Carolyn Lane
Derek Warnes
John Larrison
Dan White
John & JoAnn Loomis
Trina White
Tom & Jannette Pappas
Ron Younger
Ruby Raccasi
Gary & Kerri Scheller
In-Kind Donors
Jody & Bob Smith
Haynie & Company/Mike Jachim- Benefactor
Lew & Patrice Swain
Roody & Marsha Rasmussen
Jack & Michelle Tanner
Kim Wheatley
Dave & Jerri Winder
Kristen Yeager
Special Contributors
o
Page 7
OVLT Newsletter
Make a Difference - Donate, Join, or Renew Your Membership
Please fill this page out completely, detach, and mail to:
OGDEN VALLEY LAND TRUST
PO BOX 412
HUNTSVILLE UT 84317
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$51 - $99 Patron
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$250 - $499 Benefactor
$500 - $999 Guarantor
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We do not inherit the earth
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we borrow it from our children.
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--Native American Proverb
P.O. Box 412
Huntsville, UT 84317
Board of Trustees
Ogden Valley Land Trust
Chair, Jody Smith, Eden, Utah
P.O. Box 412
Vice Chair, Allexis Owen, Eden, Utah
Huntsville, UT 84317
801-745-9246
Secretary, Gary Jensen, Eden, Utah
Treasurer, Ruby Raccasi, Eden, Utah
Jon Bingham, Eden, Utah
Shanna Francis, Eden, Utah
Zane Froerer, Eden, Utah
Dan Harris, Eden, Utah
David Holmstrom, Eden, Utah
Marlin Jensen, Huntsville, Utah
OgdenValleyLandTrust.org
Kirk Langford, Eden, Utah
Mike Malmborg, Huntsville, Utah
Janet Muir, Eden, Utah