Original Proposal from the Tecopa Community

Operations of Tecopa Hot Springs Park and Campground

The Hummingbird Family Resource Center, Inc. proposes to enter into an agreement with the county of Inyo, California, for the purpose of providing camping, outdoor recreation activities and access to the therapeutic healing waters at the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Park. In making this proposal, our goal is to offer a way to build cooperation in providing the best shared experience possible for park campers, day users, local residents, employees and county government. Foremost, our responsibility is to insure the protection of this irreplaceable natural resource.

 These waters have provided the heart of this community since time immemorial. In the last 150 years of immigration, mines and whole towns have come and gone, along with numerous jobs and businesses. But the springs endure. Originally used by Shoshone and Paiute travelers and a community called Yaga, they were later used by the Tonapah and Tidewater Railroad. In the late 1920’s, Harry Rosenberg and Jim Francis paid $10.00 to the T&T President, J.B. Johnson, for the right to “open up [the] spring ½ mile east of the Squaw spring in order that the people of this community can build a pool for the use of the public.” In 1933, the springs were reserved for public use permanently by Presidential decree. Throughout this time, users have kept alive the original agreement with Paiute Chief Tecopa (also known as Tecopet and Tecopur), regarding appropriate use of these waters. The springs continue to provide relief from a long list of ailments to visitors from all over the world, and to local residents who call this area home.

 Our plan is simple, but practical and effective. We propose to improve services by relying on:

1.      One employee, skilled in maintenance and repair, managing physical resources and some volunteers;

2.      One employee, skilled in office tasks and managing human resources, possibly part-time;

3.      Camp hosts in each major section to take care of fee collection and day-to-day maintenance tasks;

4.      Trained and well supervised volunteer labor. 

We propose to increase the use of this facility to capacity, by focusing on the following:

1.      Improving and refining the current fee structure, policies and signage, and the tour bus plan to maximize camp fees from larger vehicles, bathhouse donations, bus fees and safety and ease of use.

2.      Promoting and developing the facility as a natural health experience;

3.      Improving the visual appearance of the bathhouses and park;

4.      Conducting a promotional program via website, internet lists to travel clubs, hot springs users, eco-tourism and health networks, as well as other promotional methods;

5.      Working with the BLM and local businesses to coordinate travel information and educational resources;

6.      Expanding the understanding of the Native history and historic traditional use for the Springs. This includes 24 hour access, and nude, gender-separate bathing;

7.      Seeking alternative environmentally friendly methods of cleaning and water treatment, and being vigilant about maintaining water and other environmental protections. 

Benefit of Community Based Nonprofit Operation

We understand that it has been difficult for county government to operate this Park from such a distance. We love these springs and rely on them for our quality of life. We believe that with regular community involvement, local skills, enthusiasm, and love of the springs can fill the gap and serve as a valuable asset.

 A cooperative relationship between county government and a community nonprofit could benefit everyone, by maximizing fiscal resources and skills while keeping costs down. Under local nonprofit administration, all proceeds over and above what is necessary for park operation could remain within the community, providing badly needed services. This would lift additional burdens from county government and local community members alike. 

The Southeast Inyo Children’s Council, a nonprofit association, was formed in November, 2000, to provide family services in this region. The Council is composed of service providers and responsible members of the regional community. In December 2002, we opened the Hummingbird Family Resource center to house expanding programs. On December 1^st, 2003, we signed Articles of Incorporation as the Hummingbird Family Resource Center, Inc. and are applying for §501(c)(3) nonprofit status as a public benefit corporation. Working with county agencies, foundations and local residents, we have secured over $91,000 in funding for purchase and operation of the Hummingbird Family Resource Center during 2003. We believe that we are the only realistic choice for stable sustainable operation of the park by a local community organization. We will continue to involve the entire community in a fair and open process. 

Park Operations

It is our understanding that the Tecopa Community Center would continue to operate under Inyo County Public Works, offering the same services at the same capacity as it does now. We propose working with the county government over the next year to affect a transition in park and campground operations from county to local management. We believe that this park could benefit greatly from increased community involvement, at every level. Also, as the campground currently operates well below capacity, offering free campsites to camp hosts in exchange for labor in specific areas would be very cost-effective.

 As the current county employees of the Park are valued members of our community, we have discussed this issue in a lot of detail. We would like to work with them, their union, and county government to find the best solution for everyone affected by this proposed change. We envision a combination of paid staff time and appropriately trained camp hosts and other volunteers to provide all services, including most maintenance, hospitality and record-keeping functions. One paid staff person would be responsible for general maintenance and coordination of camp host and volunteer maintenance activities. One paid staff person would be responsible for office tasks, record-keeping and other volunteer coordination. Some additional staff time may be needed during peak season. Garbage collection and insurance would continue to be the responsibility of the county, with our complete cooperation on safety issues.

 A rigorous training program for all staff and volunteers would be developed over several months, through consultation with other successful programs. Applications and supervision of staff and volunteers would be maintained in an appropriate manner and comply with all county, state and federal laws. An overhaul of all signs for consistency and clarity could greatly enhance park and bathhouse operations.  

Infrastructure

Given the severe deterioration of park and campground infrastructure, it is not realistic to expect major repairs to be covered financially by camping fees. Until the sewage pond is repaired and the facility has been brought up to reasonable standards including compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and current asbestos regulations, our primary goal will be to stabilize day-to-day sustainability. The appeal of the park to additional campers (and its ability to handle them) will be limited.

 We understand that county government has applied for $1.2 million in Park Bond funds, and that a substantial amount of this money could be directed toward Tecopa. After all, other Inyo communities have golf courses and tennis courts these days. We would like to work with county government to prioritize ADA upgrades and other repairs, as well as assist with temporary measures through local or seasonal volunteer labor where possible.

 While we are open to discussion about providing a small percentage of net proceeds to the county after start-up costs stabilize in the future, the more important agreement must be about responsibility for continuing deterioration until renovations take place. As a community-based nonprofit providing public services on a minimal budget already, we believe that the best use of revenues in the long term would be maintenance of local public services, as determined by the community and county government together.

We also have a number of ideas to research and discuss with you for the long term, to enhance the park and campground, increase revenue, and make it a model of environmentally appropriate sustainable desert living, including:

1.      Construction of a simple low-cost family warm pool for fee use;

2.      Additional shade for picnic areas;

3.      Conversion of the bathhouses and possibly other facilities to solar electricity;

4.      Environmentally friendlier methods of water treatment used elsewhere (such as ultraviolet or ozone).

 In addition, if we are successful in bringing more campers to the park, day use will continue to grow as well. Discussion needs to continue to find creative ways to maintain a balance between purity of the waters and open public access. Other areas faced with the same dilemma have continued to provide basic simple pools for free, while providing enhanced private pools or recreational activities for a fee nearby.

 We look forward to hearing from you about this proposal.

 Sincerely,

 David (Hawk) Fann,  Chairperson             

Jennifer O. Viereck, Secretary/Treasurer     

 Jann Rucquoi, Board Member

 Attachments:

Articles of Incorporation

2003 Financial Statements

List of Board Members  

Back to TecopaCA.com    Website by Blue Heronworks     Revised: January 31, 2008.

Copyright © 2004-08           Hummingbird Family Resource Center.       All rights reserved.