Wilsonia Community and National Park Service A Valued Relationship

Wilsonia Advisory Team (WAT)

June 7, 2014

A Letter to Wilsonia from Superintendent Smeck

…taught me to appreciate the importance of cabin communities…

…I want to assure you that the National Park Service is committed to working with you to protect your private property rights and preserve the history of Wilsonia…

Working together…ensure Wilsonia remains a vibrant cabin community and reminder of our rich local and national heritage.

Initial WAT Members

WilsoniaWilsonia Historic District Gus Collin Drew SorensenWilsonia Village Association Susan Doyle Dick Moss Neal MixterSierra Masonic Family Club Scott Edgerly Lynn SimmonsAt Large Dutch Scholten

Sequoia –Kings Canyon National Park

Superintendent Woody Smeck Management Assistant Christine

Smith Kings District Ranger Ned Kelleher

Wilsonia WAT Member Authority & Representation

Wilsonia Historic District

Board of Directors

Wilsonia Village Association

Board of Directors

Sierra Masonic Family Club

Board of Director

Wilsonia Advisory Team Members

Wilsonia Cabin Owners

Wilsonia WAT Member Communications

Wilsonia Historic District

Board of Directors

Wilsonia Village Association

Board of Directors

Sierra Masonic Family Club

Board of Director

Wilsonia Advisory Team Members

Wilsonia Cabin Owners

Communication VehiclesBoard Meetings Wilsonia Historic District Wilsonia Village Incorporated (WVI) Sierra Masonic Family Club

NPS SEKI/Wilsonia Meetings (minimum 2 meetings per year)

Issues Meeting Meet & Greet

Publications Wilsonia Village Incorporated Newsletter (Wilsonia Times) Meeting Minutes

Web-Based WVI Website and Facebook Page

Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Key Provisions

Overarching Purpose of the MOA (“Touchstone”):“To create a cooperative working forum between the NPS-SEKI and the residents and owners within the community of Wilsonia to assure the long-term existence, maintenance and safety of Wilsonia and its residents as a private, thriving, historic community within the context of a National Park setting, consistent with the mission of the National Park Service.”

Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Key Provisions

WAT Function :

Members represent base organizations; that’s where the authority begins and ends;

WAT works on consensus; agreement from all; OK to create work groups, but recommendations can

only come via WAT consensus; No money committed without a separate agreement; Meetings noticed, minutes kept of the meetings,

everyone invited to attend!

Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Key Provisions

Annual Work Plan:

Reworked the first of every calendar year to address the highest priority issues, but lists all issues;

Reports on the disposition of any items addressed the previous year;

Sets out meeting dates with the Superintendent;

Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)Key Provisions

Agreement Term:

5-years; Last year used to reflect on accomplishments and

(re)negotiate a new agreement; Any party can call it quits (for the whole thing) with a good

faith effort to reconcile any problems; Agreement can only be modified in writing.

Current Set of Issues2014 Work Plan (may not complete them all):

Improve communications between Wilsonia residents and the NPS including regular meetings with the Superintendent;

Develop the process and program to deal with the disposition of the 12 NPS owned cabins within Wilsonia;

Identify NPS SEKI management documents that potentially impact Wilsonia. Review for consistency with MOA mission;

Current Set of Issues2014 Work Plan (continued):

Clarify and ensure transparency for an expedited building permit review process;

Development of Architectural guidelines for historic cabins within the Wilsonia Historic District;

Current Set of IssuesFuture Work Plan Issues: Develop a program to deal with the maintenance of all

existing NPS property (clean-up of empty lots) within Wilsonia;

Develop a common understanding of the "exclusive jurisdiction" legal basis and its implementation by the NPS as it relates to Wilsonia;

Explore enhancing fire suppression and protection capabilities for Wilsonia;

Explore the potential of a museum within Wilsonia about Wilsonia and its cooperative history with the NPS.

Questions? Comments?Concerns?

Wilsonia Community and National Park Service A Valued Relationship

Wilsonia Advisory Team (WAT)

June 7, 2014