Open Space

Anemone Hill

The following letter was read to Council at its October 25, 2011 meeting by PBC board member Gwen Dooley:

October 22, 2011

Dear Councilmember,

PLAN-Boulder County has repeatedly supported safe and convenient routes to allow mountain bikers to ride from the City of Boulder to connect with the 488 miles of mountain bike trails in Boulder County, as well as nearby trail systems in Jefferson County and Golden Gate State Park.

In particular, in March of this year in a letter to Council, we supported eight routes and access improvements to enhance mountain biking opportunities on Boulder Open Space and to connect with other trail systems. Several of these are on their way to implementation.

We supported then, and we still support, extension of the Boulder Creek path up Boulder Canyon to provide access to the new OSMP route up Chapman Drive and to the Betasso Preserve trail system via the Canyon Loop Trail.

We also supported the Anemone Hill trail alignment and management plan adopted by Council on March 30. We still consider this a good plan. However, the staff analysis of environmental impacts on pp. 19-21 of the council packet makes a reasonable case that the "Ridge Loop" trail also has some advantages in habitat preservation, as long as it is coupled with the recommended two-year on-trail requirement for all users. PLAN-Boulder County therefore supports the staff-recommended Ridge Loop option, along with a two-year on-trail requirement for all users to ensure successful reclamation of the many social trails in the area.

We request that the staff follow the resolution adopted unanimously by Council on March 30 to pursue the extension of the Boulder Creek bike path at least as far as the Canyon Loop Trail from Betasso Preserve.

We emphatically do not support either the OSBT recommendation or the Fourmile Connector trail. Both of these alternatives would have far too great a deleterious impact on wildlife habitat, as documented in the staff analysis. They would have major impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods; parking is already unavailable at either Settlers’ Park or the Centennial parking lots. The connector trail is unnecessary; there are better ways to provide a bicycle route from the city to Betasso Preserve, and the extension of the Boulder Creek Path is the obvious first choice.

Thank you for your consideration,

PLAN-Boulder County Board of Directors

West Trail Study Area

The following letter was sent to Council on March 10, 2011

Boulder City Council

Dear Councilmember:

PLAN-Boulder County urges you to adopt the West Trail Study Area plan as proposed by staff, incorporating the recommendations of the CCG, and recommended by the Open Space Board of Trustees.

As you know, PLAN-Boulder County has been involved as a supporter of the Boulder Open Space program since its inception, and we have also taken a keen interest in good stewardship of both Open Space and the Boulder Mountain Parks, both before and after their merger. We are committed to proper funding and wise management for all the Charter purposes, and, most importantly, to the preservation of the resources intact in perpetuity.

Since Mavis McKelvey, one of the visionary founders of the open space program, died a few months ago, it’s appropriate to remember her succinct statement of our responsibility:

Greenbelts are for children,

And their children,

And their children...

The primary goal of the open space program since its inception has been preservation, and we need to keep that goal (and trust) in mind as we consider competing user interests in enjoying open space. Preservation of the unique places that we hold in trust should always be our first priority, and fairness, access, and similar arguments should be secondary.

The West TSA plan resulting from the extensive two-year public process meets this goal. It balances various recreational interests from the community, while still improving our chances of preserving healthy ecosystems in perpetuity.

Dogs

The compromise dog management package that came out of the CCG and was approved by OSBT and staff is particularly important. It preserves Boulder’s traditional access to hikers who want to visit open space with their dogs, while meeting the VMP goals and modestly increasing the trails available to hikers who prefer trails without dogs. In meeting the latter goal, the dog-free trails in the package improve habitat for native species significantly, an important criterion, since the literature shows overwhelmingly that dog companions significantly increase visitor impact on wildlife, from birds to large predators. The dog-free trails in the plan make up 13% of the trail mileage in the West TSA, which is hardly excessive for the majority of users who hike without dogs. Under the plan, 85% of trails in the West TSA would remain open to dogs, and 61% would allow dogs under voice-and-sight control.

Bikes

PLAN-Boulder County has also long supported bicycling, both for transportation and for recreation, as we support the sustainable use of open space for the recreation of Boulder’s citizens and our visitors. Open Space provides all of Boulder’s citizens an opportunity to renew themselves and to reconnect with a natural setting that is unique and world-renowned for its beauty, the wildlife and ecosystems it preserves, and the unparalleled opportunities for recreation that it affords. But we also strongly believe this use must be calibrated to prevent degrading the irreplaceable wildlife, plant communities, and ecosystems.

PLAN-Boulder County continues to support development and improvement of bicycling infrastructure and opportunities in our area by city, county, and state entities, singly and in cooperation. Some current priorities we support in Boulder County are:

Continued efforts to build a pedestrian-bicycle underpass under SH 93 at Community Ditch
Improvement and maintenance of the bike shoulder on Eldorado Springs Drive (SH170) to provide safer access by cyclists to the three OSMP trailheads and to the state park
Connection of the trails open to mountain bikes in the Marshall Mesa area to the new county ‘Dirty Bismark’ system
Reenergizing efforts to build the Feeder Canal Trail, with better advance preparation in outreach to Northern Colorado Water and to the adjoining homeowners
Extension of the Boulder Creek Trail up at least to the Betasso Link Trailundefinednote that this extension would be completely within the CDOT right-of-way
With regard specifically to OSMP responsibilities and to West TSA management, PLAN-Boulder County supports the department proposals in May to explore mountain bike access to Walker Ranch through Eldorado Canyon and to make efforts to gain access on Chapman Drive for uphill travel from Boulder Canyon to Flagstaff Road.

However, PLAN-Boulder County opposes designating trails for mountain bike use in the main part of the West TSA from Baseline to Eldorado Springs Drive. All of the proposals for such use in this area would entail unacceptable additional stress on natural systems that are already under pressure from very high and growing recreational use. It would also generate user conflicts that would create ripple effects on those stressed ecosystems.

Specifically, a north-south mountain bike trail from Chautauqua to Eldorado Springs Drive inevitably (because of terrain constraints in a narrow north-south corridor between the city and the Flatirons) would generate habitat fragmentation and deleterious effects on riparian systems where it crosses drainages like Bear and Skunk Creeks.

We are particularly concerned about proposals for mountain bike trails in the tallgrass prairie areas south of Shanahan Ridge. This area not only supports important relict grasslands, recognized by the Colorado State Natural Area designation and by designation by several national conservation organizations; it also is the site of a valuable undisturbed ecotonal transition between native mixed grasslands and ponderosa forest.

It is important that the unique resources of the West TSA continue to be managed with careful balance between providing rich recreational opportunities to all users, while remaining good stewards of the unique heritage that has been placed in our care. The best recreational use of the core of the West TSA is its continuation as an opportunity for the traditional low-impact uses that it now serves. We urge you not to designate mountain bike trails in the West TSA between Baseline and Eldorado Springs Drive and that you avoid designating Anemone Hill for bike access without a thorough analysis and public process.

Thank you for considering this important request.

Sincerely,

Ruth Blackmore, Co-chair

Pat Shanks, Co-Chair

West Trail Study Area

The following letter was delivered to the Boulder City Council in February 2011.

Dear Councilmember,

We are writing as representatives of organizations focused upon the protection of natural areas in the city and county of Boulder. We are deeply concerned about their conservation in perpetuity.

As the West Trail Study Area planning process moves toward a close we applaud the efforts of the Community Collaborative Group and express our appreciation for their long labors. A tremendous number of issues were resolved and submitted with consensus to the Open Space Board of Trustees. One outstanding major issue remains: the matter of mountain bikes in the West TSA, including the Mountain Parks and the southern grasslands west of Hwy. 93 (Tallgrass West).

Over the past year and a half numerous proposals have been brought forth by the biking community, and most have been considered by the CCG and the OSMP Department. Our view is that none of these plans satisfactorily avoid unacceptable visitor conflict and/or ecological compromise. Cutting new trails impacts habitat; staying on established trails exacerbates conflict. In addition, introducing bikes into the most heavily used part of the OSMP system would result in significant economic costs due to the need for more enforcement and education, increased maintenance, and greater demands upon trailheads.

Simply walking in the presence of nature is the most fundamental activity associated with open space, mountain parks, and natural areas. Many people who enjoy a quiet experience in the Mountain Parks and Southern Grasslands would be genuinely distressed if bikes were permitted. We do not believe that every parcel of public land needs to be available to every recreational use. We strongly urge Council to support the recommendations of OSMP staff for management of the West TSA.

Thank you for your consideration.

Boulder County Audubon Society Boulder Bird Club

Boulder County Nature Association Friends of Boulder Open Space

PLAN-Boulder County Sierra Club, Indian Peaks Group

The WILD Foundation

West Trail Study Area

The following letter was delivered to the City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks Director on January 11, 2011.

Mike Patton, Director

Department of Open Space & Mountain Parks

PO Box 791

Boulder, Colorado 80306

Dear Mike:

Since Mavis McKelvey, one of the visionary founders of the open space program, died last month, it’s appropriate to remember her succinct statement of our responsibility:

Greenbelts are for children,

And their children,

And their children undefinedundefined

PLAN-Boulder County has also long supported bicycling, both for transportation and for recreation, as we support the use of open space for the recreation of Boulder’s citizens and our visitors. Open Space provides all of Boulder’s citizens an opportunity to renew themselves and to reconnect with a natural setting that is unique and world renowned for its beauty, the wildlife and ecosystems it preserves, and the unparalleled opportunities for recreation that it affords. But we also strongly believe this must be calibrated to prevent degrading the irreplaceable wildlife, plant communities, and ecosystems.

Continued efforts to build a pedestrian-bicycle underpass under SH 93 at Community Ditch
Improvement and maintenance of the bike shoulder on Eldorado Springs Drive (SH170) to provide safer access by cyclists to the three OSMP trailheads and to the state park
Connection of the trails open to mountain bikes in the Marshal Mesa area to the new county ‘Dirty Bismark’ system
Reenergizing efforts to build the Feeder Canal Trail, with better advance preparation in outreach to Northern Colorado Water and to the adjoining homeowners
Extension of the Boulder Creek Trail up at least to the Betasso Link Trailundefinednote that this extension would be completely within the CDOT right of way
With regard specifically to OSMP responsibilities and to West TSA management, PLAN-Boulder County supports the department proposals in May to explore mountain bike access to Walker Ranch through Eldorado Canyon and to make efforts to gain access on Chapman Drive for uphill travel from Boulder Canyon to Flagstaff Road.

We are particularly concerned about proposals for mountain bike trails in the tallgrass prairie areas south of Shanahan Mesa. This area not only supports important relict grasslands, recognized by the Colorado State Natural Area designation; it also is the site of a valuable undisturbed ecotonal transition between native mixed grasslands and ponderosa forest.

Thank you for considering this important request.

Sincerely,

Ruth Blackmore, Co-chair

Pat Shanks, Co-Chair

West Trail Study Area

Ruth Blackmore delivered the following statement on behalf of PLAN-Boulder at the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees meeting on December 9, 2010:

PLAN-Boulder County has been inextricably involved with the City of Boulder’s Open Space program since 1959, including the drafting of the 1967 ballot language passed by Boulder citizens to acquire land and “to protect such property against loss or damage or destruction. ….”

PLAN-Boulder County has taken a consistent position on all three trail study areas undertaken so far by OSMP, urging that:

The fundamental responsibility of the Open Space and Mountain Parks Department is primarily to preserve Boulder’s open space in perpetuity, so future residents of the city, their children, and their children, can experience these unique lands and ecosystems as we have found them.

For the first two trail study areas, PLAN-Boulder County strongly urged that a thorough resource inventory be done before planning trails and management strategies. Unfortunately, this was not done at Marshall Mesa or Eldorado Mountain-Doudy Draw.

We commend the Board and the Department for doing excellent inventories of natural, recreational, cultural, and paleontological resources in the West Trail Study area before instituting the CCG. These inventories should form the basis for the management plan you are beginning to consider and for subsequent adaptive management.

The West TSA -- from Eldorado Springs to Linden Avenue -- is the crown jewel of the open space system and is a unique place, with awe inspiring vistas, ecosystems found nowhere else in the state and irreplaceable wildlife and plant communities.

The West TSA is also a fragile place, under pressure from ever increasing visitation, from the growing population of metropolitan Denver, and from the effects of climate change, along with habitat fragmentation due to both the urban boundary and ever increasing demands for new uses.

It is our responsibility to manage this treasure wisely and to pass it on in at least as good a condition as it was bequeathed to us.

The recommendations achieved so far by the CCG represent difficult compromises from all the representatives. PLAN-Boulder County does not agree with them all, but we are encouraged that they:

Continue to provide outstanding opportunities for all forms of passive recreation allowed in the Charter, while attempting to improve habitat.

Provide some dog free hiking opportunities, as called for in the Visitor Master Plan.

Preserve the Habitat Conservation Area intact.

Reroute some trails to improve the visitor experience, improve trail sustainability, and reduce environmental degradation.

Thank you.

Comments on OSMP proposed route alternatives for Trail 13 and Trail 14 in Spring Brook/Doudy Draw Natural Area

July 29, 2007

PLAN-Boulder County commends the OSMP staff for careful preparation of alternatives for routing these proposed trails in the short time frame available.

However, proper management of Open Space and Mountain Parks resources requires taking adequate time to ensure:

sound trail construction at reasonable costs;
trail sustainability;
preservation of critical wildlife habitat and sensitive plant communities;
compliance with Council's instructions that the area should be managed so that it could still be designated as an HCA, should that become desirable;
adherence to the Visitor Master Plan (VMP) provisions for the goals of managing Natural Areas (p. 48) and for implementation monitoring (pp. 62-63)-specifically
"Accommodate low-impact visitor activities where adequate trails exist or can be built, and resource impacts can be minimized."
"Protect the quality of naturalÉresources (especially where high-value resources exist)."
Implementation monitoring requirements are specified to measure change as a result of the actions taken. These can only be met if baseline data are collected. Otherwise most of the criteria in the implementation monitoring cannot be satisfied.

It is clear from the public field trip on July 17 that the information available to date falls far short of meeting these VMP criteria. To cite one example, thousands of yards of the routes proposed are planned to cut laterally into relatively steep slopes (20-30¡) of Pierre Shale. Numerous geotechnical studies [e.g. Squire 2001] have shown this shale unit to be susceptible to rapid erosion and repeated slumping at such angles. Indeed, one geologist on the tour observed many slumps already present along the flagged routes. The reason that the slopes are steep is because the shale erodes rapidly when the edge of the gravel protecting cap is removed.

These elementary soil characteristics have not been taken into account in the initial routing proposal, apparently because of the rush to meet deadlines. This does not reflect badly on the staff who have worked on the detailed preliminary routes, but it does demonstrate that the planning process has been unwisely rushed, and that we need to take the time to do the job right. Rushing to try to begin construction this season will result in badly built, unsustainable, and very expensive trails; serious damage to the resource; an inability to properly monitor the trails' effects; and a much more costly future set of consequences to deal with. There is no major cost associated with taking the time to do the job right. The only problems associated with some delays are that current social trails will continue to be used for a time. The degradation caused by this process, and the difficulty of mitigation, will be trivial compared with that caused by trails built in the wrong places. Once new trails are built, there is likely to be greatly increased visitation in this area, which will enormously compound the problem if this is not done correctly.

Now that a preliminary agreement with the Denver Water Board regarding the canal crossing finally has been reached, it is time to rethink the trail alignments that were largely done without knowing where the crossing would be. Attempts to decide routing in advance of this milestone disrupted monitoring plans for both the Goshawk Ridge Trail and Trails 13 & 14. It is hard to route a trail or to plan monitoring when you don't know where it is going! We congratulate the OSMP staff who have brought these difficult negotiations to a preliminary conclusion. However, it is time for another careful look at the alternatives.

We believe that, in light of the recently negotiated mid-canal crossing location, trail alternatives need to be seriously reconsidered. For example, two possible alternative routes for the Trail 13-Stem Trail have not been considered. These are:

Following the old railroad grade, which already has a bed installed, so that little additional disturbance would be caused by trail construction, unstable Pierre Shale routes would be largely avoided, and there would be far less potential for providing an invasion pathway for noxious weeds; one bridge would need to be built;
Up the west side of the stony ridge to the east of the drainage. This route would avoid much of the sensitive habitat disturbance that will result from the currently proposed stem trail, and it has enough gravel cover that it may well provide a route that has better soil characteristics, and that gains most of the required elevation at a moderate angle and follows a direct path that would discourage shortcutting. By keeping to the west side of the ridge, views down to Lindsey Pond can probably be avoided.

These alternative routes have obvious potential advantages, as staff admitted on the public field trip. These routes warrant serious consideration at the very least.

A third significant problem relates to invasive weeds in the area. Jointed goat grass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) is a major problem on a large number of trails in the OSMP system. This invasive species is difficult to control, and it is easily spread by hikers, animals, and probably mountain bikes. The seeds fit the grooves in Vibram soles, and they will probably fit many bicycle tire treads. A. cylindirca is spread as a seed contaminant in agricultural areas, and thence by grazing livestock like horses, because the seeds survive passing through the guts of ruminants.

Jointed goat grass has become a serious problem and has seriously infested the bottom of the Doudy Draw Trail. The proposed rerouting of the Doudy Draw Trail before this invasive is controlled will only ensure that the infestation moves up the slope and becomes much larger and more difficult to control. Yet the Suitability Analyses do not even mention this invasive except to say that there is a possible problem during construction of Trail 13 Stem if construction is done from the direction of Doudy Draw. There is no mention of it being spread by users, not only to this trail, but to all the others being proposed.

This issue must be seriously considered and preventative measures must be taken before trail construction. Otherwise, it is highly likely to damage the resource and to result in major expenses for weed control.

Recommendations

Our principal recommendations and observations are as follows:

delay construction until next year;
do not build a trail in Spring Brook Meadow; there are a number of alternative routes for the currently mapped Trail 13 alternatives. This meadow provides: exceptional habitat for deer and elk; possible presence of Preble's Jumping mouse; confirmed lion hunting grounds; vulnerability to weed invasion, as demonstrated by presence of high-priority weeds (such as Dalmatian toadflax and Sulfur cinquefoil) along the existing social trail;
funneling visitors into Spring Brook meadow will inevitably promote off-trail travel throughout the area, including the length of the meadow along the desire-line and the current social trail northward;
implement the control of jointed goatgrass in Doudy Draw this fall and winter, and verify that control has been successful before attempting to schedule the construction of the rerouted Doudy Draw Trail or Trails 13 and 14;
as the next step in the public input process, provide maps at a scale useful for trail planning that include critical wildlife habitat areas, critical plant communities; and soils/geology. These are fundamental tools for planning ecologically sustainable trails;
complete a monitoring plan for the natural resources, including evaluation of resource impacts; compliance monitoring; visitor conflict issues; and plans for management actions when expected criteria are not achieved;
as a first step, build a modified route from the Doudy Draw stem trail-possibly up the west side of the stony ridge, staying far enough west to avoid tempting views into the Lindsey Pond area;
this approach should connect with upper Trail 14, which should be followed around its current route, except that it should be re-routed onto the terrace, far enough back to avoid the ecotone, but always less than 100 meters from the edge, avoiding relict grasslands, and fragmenting the forest habitat as little as possible;
monitor the impact of this trail in order to provide adequate impact data for consideration of Trail 13 alternatives;
while the usage of Trail 14 is being monitored, consider the possible routes for 13, including the possibility of routing the upper alternative farther south;
among the criteria for Trail 13 that need to be achieved is the routing of Trail 13-Stem along a less damaging route, which does not repeatedly cross the riparian shrubland, does not remain in the terrace/slope ecotone for long stretches, and does not follow long traverses of unstable, slumping Pierre Shale; there appear to be several possibilities for achieving these goals.
for upper Trail 13, which seems more likely to present a possible route that minimizes resource impacts than lower 13, utilize the time while 14 is being monitored to achieve a well-planned route;
one possibility for routing 13 is to follow the currently proposed alignment for upper 13 approximately 200 yards above the intersection with the currently proposed Trail 13-Stem, and then proceed west and then slightly north to join the current alignment of Trail 13-Springbrook.

We are supportive of OSMP's serious attempts to build environmentally, ecologically, and geotechnically sustainable trails in this incredibly beautiful and sensitive area, and we urge you to agree that some pragmatic rethinking and tuning of this plan will result in a much better outcome for the public.

Reference:

Squire, M., 2001, Stability of Cretaceous Pierre Shale slopes, in Kuehne, M., Einstein, H.H., Krauter, E., Klapperich, H., and Poettler, R., eds. Essen, Verl. Glueckauf.

Thank you for considering this important request.

Sincerely,
Pat Shanks, Chair
PLAN-Boulder County
The People's League for Action Now

Sombrero Marsh (1999)

At the Boulder City Council meeting October 19, PLAN-Boulder County's position regarding Sombrero Marsh, a portion of which the Council was considering purchasing, was presented as follows:

"Sombrero Marsh is a unique and significant wetland system which supports both wildlife and plant communities that are uncommon or rare. It is presently endangered by the long-term use of its easterly segment as a Boulder Valley School District dumping ground.

"The city's Open Space program has already preserved a substantial portion of the marsh and now proposes to acquire the 42 acres owned by the BVSD, clean up the dump and restore the marsh's eastern shoreline.

"A requirement of the BVSD is that an educational element be part of the 42 acres, which would benefit the community as a whole. The Open Space Department will comply with this concept, the details of which are still under study.

"PBC strongly supports this effort on the part of Open Space to preserve and protect a valuable and unique habitat and the rare wildlife species and wetland vegetation which depend on its existence. It should be noted that the first priority in acquiring Sombrero Marsh property is protection of the resource; education should support this primary focus."
Council voted in favor of the purchase.

Prairie Dog Policy (2000)

PLAN-Boulder County supports adoption of the Prairie Dog Protection Strategy, with a request for further dialogue around some aspects of implementation. Specifically:

We strongly support the addition of policies to the BVCP aimed at protecting "species of concern" and their habitat. Identifying these species on an adopted list will add certainty to the process for landowners.
To further reduce uncertainty and surprise in the regulator process, we suggest that City staff also create maps showing known habitat areas for identified species.
We also strongly support any steps the City can legally take to prevent poisoning of species of concern, including prairie dogs, within the Boulder Valley. Prairie dog colonies have been poisoned at an accelerated pace since the possibility of their "listing" as a threatened species was raised in public dialogue. Prairie dogs are a keystone species; if left unchecked, wholesale poisoning will dramatically change prairie ecosystems. Poisons used on prairie dog colonies are also extremely inhumane, resulting in needless long term suffering for individual animals.
We believe that negotiating case-specific preservation plans with individual landowners is a worthwhile strategy to pursue. However, many people do not yet understand the role that species of concern play within their ecosystems, and landowners may still hold views that these species have no value. Thus, to be effective, negotiations around case-specific preservation must be backed up by a strong commitment to protect species, backed - if necessary - by appropriate regulation. The proposed changes to the site review process appear to be an appropriate way to provide this "back-up" regulation. We recommend a trial period of one-two years to determine whether the voluntary agreements/site review strategy is leading to attainment of our species preservation goals.
Finally, there is considerable controversy among knowledgeable parties about the City's proposed protocol for prairie dog relocation. We suggest that further conversation is necessary around the following areas before the protocol is adopted:
- How to best open up Habitat Conservation Areas - which have already been screened for suitability - for relocation of specific colonies
- Whether a minimum number of dogs must be available for relocation to occur, and - if so - what that minimum should be
- Use of augured holes to create new sites for prairie dog towns (instead of relying solely on areas with existing burrows)
- Improved vegetation/revegetation management techniques (including weed control and species interseeding) on existing, proposed and relocated colony sites.
- The possibility of introducing selected predator species (such as black-footed ferrets) into some prairie dog towns.

Proposed Open Space/Mountain Parks Consolidation (2000)

PLAN-Boulder County supports the main elements contained in the City Manager's analysis of the proposal for restructuring the Division of Mountain Parks and the Department of Open Space/Real Estate, as outlined in his memo presented to the City Council at the meeting of March 21, 2000.

We applaud the Manager and the Council for taking this decisive step in moving forward to resolve this long-standing and divisive issue. We are especially pleased that the new proposal firmly places the Open Space acquisitions function within the newly defined Department.

We also strongly support the recommendation that the historical appropriation for Mountain Parks from the General Fund be transferred along with the properties to be managed. We urge the adoption of a measure, by a vote of the people if necessary, ensuring this annual appropriation for as long a period of time as would be required to guarantee that the present bonding capacity for the Open Space accelerated acquisition program is not placed in jeopardy.

Many other issues remain to be explored by the proposed Transition Team. We wish to flag for their consideration a few of the issues raised in the City Manager's memo.

We support naming the restructured department the Department of Open Space and Mountain Parks, provided this does not require a charter amendment. We also support expanding the Open Space Board of Trustees, for the transitional period only, by the addition of two ex-officio, non-voting members. Neither of these, however, should be a current member of the City Council.
The Transition Team should include some representation from the public. This could be accomplished by the appointment of one member from the Open Space Board of Trustees and one from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. We believe the Team should be entrusted with the decision, after seeking broad public input, on which of the Mountain Parks lands should be included in the transfer.
We do not believe that the reductions in staff recommended in the recent management audit report can be accomplished without deleteriously affecting the excellent work that both staffs have been performing in managing these lands. The starting point should be the current staff plus the currently vacant positions minus obviously overlapping administrative positions. In the absence of a true workload analysis, we recommend no reductions in current staffing levels unless it can be demonstrated that such cuts will not harm the program. During the transition period, thought needs to be given to projecting future staff needs as well (based on increased acreage, increasing visitor usage and changing demographics).
We find the proposal for two Co-Directors, one overseeing Visitor and Maintenance Services and the other, Acquisition and Resource Planning, to be intriguing and worth exploring. Such a Co-Directorship should not be permanent, however, but exist only during the transition period.

We have many specific criticisms of the audit report prepared for the city by Conservation Impact. It presented a recommendation for restructuring without examining the alternatives in any detail and without offering clear and convincing arguments to support the recommendation. It proposed an unrealistic time frame for the proposed changes. Most important, it provided no adequate examination of the present or future workload, and the analysis of cost savings resulting from staff reductions was shallow and not persuasive.

However, we recognize that this first effort at a management audit was unique in many respects, and need not serve as a model for the audits envisioned by the city for other departments. Future audits should more carefully examine staffing needs.

What are the current tasks and how many people are needed to accomplish them? What are projected future needs? What are anticipated revenues? This is crucial, since the city may face revenue reductions and probable service cuts in the future.

For questions about this website please contact advocate@planboulder.org

PLAN-Boulder County
P.O. Box 4682
Boulder, CO 80306

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