The URL can be used to link to this page

10.11.23 OSBT PacketOpen Space Board of Trustees October 11, 2023 MEETING AGENDA (Please note that times are approximate.) I. (6:05) Approval of the Minutes II. (6:10) Public Comment for Items not Identified for Public Hearing III. (6:30) Matters from the Board A. Comments/Questions from Trustees on Written Information memos or public comment (15 min) B. OSBT Retreat Update from Subcommittee (10 min) C. North Sky Trail Construction OSBT Volunteer Opportunity (5 min) IV. (7:00) Matters from the Department A. South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation Project 60% Design Update (120 min) V. (9:00) Adjourn Written Information A. Open Space and Mountain Parks Management Area Designation Update B. Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain C. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant: Mount Sanitas Trail Projects Open Space Board of Trustees Members: Dave Kuntz (2019-2024) Harmon Zuckerman (2023-2025) Michelle Estrella (2021-2026) Jon Carroll (2022-2027) Brady Robinson (2023-2028) Open Space Board of Trustees *TENTATIVE Board Items Calendar (Updated September 27, 2023) Oct. 27, 2023 OSBT Field Trip 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. November 8, 2023 December 6, 2023 (Please note date change) Agenda and Location TBD. This will be a joint field trip with Boulder County’s Parks and Open Space Advisory Council (POSAC) and will feature restoration efforts by both OSMP and Boulder County Parks and Open Space along Lower Boulder Creek. NOTE: Space for community member participation is limited and pre-registration will be required. Matters from the Board: • Trustee questions on Written Memo items or public comment (20 min) • OSBT Retreat Follow up: Review refinements to OSBT’s Rules of Procedure (35 min) Action Items: Matters from the Department: • Wildland Fire Resilience Program Update: Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and OSMP Strategic Management Enhancements (50 min) • Wildlife Program Update (45 min) • Director Verbal Updates (5 min) Matters from the Board: • Trustee questions on Written Memo items or public comment (15 min) • OSBT Retreat Follow up - Rules of Procedure approval (15 min) Action Items: • Management Area Designations Recommendation (60 min) Matters from the Department: • Climate Action update (40 minutes) • Update on OSMP's 2024 and 2025 Strategic Enhancements (40 minutes) • Director Verbal Updates (5 min) *All items are subject to change. A final version of the agenda is posted on the web during the week prior to the OSBT meeting. OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Action Minutes Meeting Date September 13, 2023 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 Record of this meeting can be found here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/government/watch-board- meetings (video start times are listed below next to each agenda item). BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Dave Kuntz, Board Chair Michelle Estrella, Board Vice-Chair Jon Carroll Brady Robinson Harmon Zuckerman STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Dan Burke Lauren Kilcoyne Jeff Haley Jennelle Freeston Heather Swanson Brian Anacker Ilene Flax Leah Russell Sam McQueen Megan Grunewald Frances Boulding Heidi Seidel Colin Leslie Anna Reed Deonne VanderWoude Ben Verrill Bethany Collins Mark Gershman Chad Brotherton Chris Hagelin Kacey French Marni Ratzel Samantha Bromberg CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 – Oath of Office of new Trustee and welcome (1:17) The newest Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) member, Harmon Zuckerman, read and signed the Oath of Office. Trustees then each took a few minutes to introduce themselves. AGENDA ITEM 2 – Approval of the Minutes (13:52) Michelle Estrella moved the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) to adopt the minutes from Aug. 9, 2023 as amended. Jon Carroll seconded. This motion passed four to zero with Harmon Zuckerman abstaining. AGENDA ITEM 3 – Public Participation for Items not Identified for Public Hearing (16:50) Miranda Carnessale spoke about film permitting. Paula Shuler spoke about agricultural neighborhood communications. Lynn Segal spoke about Harmon Zuckerman replacing Caroline Miller on the OSBT and legal actions related to Xcel Energy and the Marshall Fire. AGENDA ITEM 4 – Matters from the Board (35:50) Trustees asked questions on the Written Information memos on Fort Chambers / Poor Farm Site Management Plan Update and next steps and on the Update on Status of Prairie Dog Barrier Cost-Share Program next steps. Board Chair Dave Kuntz asked Director Dan Burke to provide a verbal update on the City of Boulder Boards and Commissions Assessment Project. Michelle Estrella provided an agenda planning update from the OSBT Retreat Subcommittee for the upcoming OSBT Retreat September 26. Trustees and staff discussed the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage Ann Armstrong Memorial Native Garden, the OSMP Agricultural tenant potluck September 15 and wildlife sanctuary signage at Wonderland Lake trailhead. AGENDA ITEM 5 – Matters from the Department (1:06:17) Senior Landscape Architect Ilene Flax and Deputy Director of Trails and Facilities Jeff Haley presented the Marshall Mesa Trailhead Improvement Project Update. Trustees asked questions and provided feedback about the presentation and next steps. Transportation Planner Principal for Public Works-Transportation and Mobility Chris Hagelin presented the Chautauqua Access Management Program (CAMP) Evaluation. Trustees asked questions about the presentation and then made the following recommendation: Harmon Zuckerman moved the OSBT to include a recommendation in the City Council packet on the CAMP program. The Board understands the importance of the CAMP program and is generally supportive of renewing the program as is but has concerns about potential modifications to the program. The Board believes that more complete and inclusive information is necessary before it can provide further guidance on the fairness, utility and comprehensiveness of the current and proposed Chautauqua access program. 1. The OSBT supports the concept of allowing additional NPP permits to be made available to employees. 2. The OSBT has concerns about expanding the season, number of days per week and increasing per-hour pricing based on limited survey data and details provided about alternative modes. 3. The OSBT requests that safe routes are established that direct Boulder BCycle riders and scooters off of Baseline and instead through safer streets through the neighborhood south of Baseline. 4. The board supports staff recommendation that the city conduct a feasibility study into providing direct transit access to Chautauqua. This study would be irrespective of a proposed expansion of the CAMP season, although it could inform the benefits and impacts of an expanded CAMP season. 5. The Board needs more detailed information to explain the basis or justification for the proposed adjustments and explanations of anticipated impacts on the various groups included in the surveys and those groups omitted or underrepresented in the surveys. Jon Carroll seconded. This motion passed unanimously. Human Dimensions Manager Deonne VanderWoude and Human Dimensions Analyst Heidi Seidel presented the 2021-2023 Public Opinion and Visitor Experience Survey: Preliminary Year One Data Summary (2021-2022). Trustees asked questions and provided feedback about the presentation. Director Dan Burke had no further verbal updates than those provided during Matters from the Board. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 10:01 p.m. These draft minutes were prepared by Acting Board Secretary Megan Grunewald. CITY OF BOULDER OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: October 11, 2023 AGENDA TITLE South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation Project 60% Design Update PRESENTER/S Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks OSMP Don D’Amico, Senior Resource Project Manager, OSMP Joe Taddeucci, Director of Utilities Chris Douglass, Utilities Engineering Manager Brandon Coleman, Engineering Project Manager, Utilities EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation project (the “Project”) is intended to protect life and safety by addressing flooding in the area known as the West Valley. Construction of a regional detention facility and floodwall upstream of US36 will have temporary and permanent impacts on Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) property and therefore requires disposal of OSMP property. Sixty Percent Design (“60% Design”) work has focused on reducing and mitigating impacts to OSMP property. The 60% Design has reduced the overall impact to OSMP lands from an anticipated 5.1 acres of Project impact to 4.7 acres through realignment of the outlet works, realignments of the spillway/floodwall, and relocation of staging areas and access. The environmental mitigation design has also advanced and provides more detail on the restoration and enhancement of 119 acres of the South Boulder Creek Floodplain adjacent to existing OSMP property. The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on the 60% design of Project elements relating to OSMP to the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT). BACKGROUND There are an estimated 600 structures and 3,500 people in the South Boulder Creek floodplain within city limits. Over the last 80 years, South Boulder Creek has significantly flooded six times, with overtopping of US36 happening in 1969 and 2013. A flood mitigation plan for South Boulder Creek was approved by City Council in 2015. The plan includes three phases with the first phase being a regional detention facility upstream of US36 on and near the property commonly referred to as CU South. The Agenda Item 4 Page 1 Project would protect approximately 2,300 residents and 260 structures from a 100-yr flood on South Boulder Creek. The Project has completed a conceptual alternatives analysis, Preliminary (30%) Design and is nearing completion of the 60% Design. The 60% Design update further refines the design elements of the Project and provides more detail around key design features and allows better estimates for impacts to OSMP property. The 60% Design also includes the floodplain restoration and environmental mitigation proposed for 119 acres of Open Space-Other (OS-O) area of the CU South Property. This area will be purchased per the terms in the CU South Annexation agreement, and this newly acquired area will be restored and placed under OSMP management auspices of OSMP. The OS-O area and key design elements are shown in Figure 1. OSMP resources that will be impacted by the Project include wet meadow wetlands, emergent marshes, mesic tallgrass native grasslands, and willow shrublands. These resources provide habitat for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (“PMJM”) and Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (“ULTO”) which are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. In addition to occupied habitat for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, a portion of the impact area includes habitat designated under the Endangered Species Act as “Critical Habitat” for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. The area is also habitat for the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), a Tier 1 species of conservation concern in Colorado. The impacted area is located within the South Boulder Creek State Natural Area; an area recognized as having high-quality natural features of state-wide significance through the Colorado Natural Areas Program. Figure 2 shows the environmental resources in the area and is a combination of information provided by OSMP and more detailed surveys for the wetlands and ULTO in the project area. ANALYSIS The 60% Design better defines the area that would be needed for both permanent and temporary use by Utilities in order to construct and manage Project elements. The Project requires disposal of OSMP property that is needed for permanent utility use. The 60% Design refinements included the following activities: •Floodplain modeling •Refinement of spillway/floodwall alignment •Civil design and layout of the levee removal •Constructability review •Groundwater modelling updates •Environmental mitigation design; including, o Additional environmental resource mapping o Geotechnical and groundwater investigations o Civil and grading design Potential Impacts to OSMP In working with OSMP, a key focus of the 60% Design has been further minimizing impacts to existing OSMP property and the South Boulder Creek State Natural Area and Agenda Item 4 Page 2 enhancing the mitigation plan, from what was presented in the 30% Design. The 60% Design reflects a reduction in impacts to resources on OSMP property from the spillway/floodwall, outlet works and groundwater conveyance systems. The area currently needed for permanent and temporary project use of OSMP property is 4.7 acres and shown in Figure 3, which is reduced from the 5.1 acres presented in the 30% design. While the permanent use of OSMP-managed lands for the Project will need affirmative disposal action from the Open Space Board of Trustees and City Council, the temporary use (and restoration) of OSMP-managed land can be addressed through an Interdepartmental Memorandum of Understanding (IDMOU) between Utilities and OSMP and this land will remain under OSMP purview. A summary of environmental impacts on OSMP property related to the project is shown in Table 1. It should be noted that the regulated resources overlap and occur within the total 4.7 acres. Table 1. Estimated Total Impacts on Existing OSMP Property Regulated Resources SBC Project Impacts (acres) Wetlands 2.2 Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse 3.9 Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse – Critical Habitat 0.8 Ute’s Ladies Trusses Orchid 3.8 Total Area 4.7 Floodplain Mapping Floodplain mapping has been updated based on existing conditions in the South Boulder Creek floodplain and with the 60% Design updates. This is an essential step because the project must demonstrate that the flood mitigation goals are still being met with the design updates. An existing conditions floodplain model is shown in Figure 4. The proposed conditions floodplain model and flood depth comparison are shown in Figures 5 and 6. This modelling shows that the Project is functioning as intended and meets the flood mitigation goals shown in the South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation Plan. Spillway/Floodwall The spillway/floodwall is an important part of the Project that will allow for detention up to a 100-yr flood event and safely pass flows above that magnitude. The spillway is a concrete floodwall that was selected to minimize the footprint of the project and reduce impacts to OSMP resources. A majority of the 4.7 acres of OSMP impacts are associated with construction of the spillway/floodwall and associated infrastructure. The activities within this construction corridor include excavation of a working platform, construction dewatering, installation of a secant pile wall, installation of a groundwater conveyance system and construction of the spillway/floodwall. In the 30% design, the spillway/floodwall was located on OSMP property approximately 45 feet from the adjacent CDOT US36 right-of-way based on depth to bedrock and Agenda Item 4 Page 3 utilities located along the US36 right-of-way and is shown in Figure 7. This alignment has been refined in the 60% Design and now ranges from 5 feet to 30 feet from the CDOT right-of-way and is shown in Figure 8. This updated alignment includes a retaining wall and tie-in location that moves the spillway/floodwall closer to the CDOT right-of-way at the farthest southeast location to further reduce impacts to OSMP near South Boulder Creek and in critical PMJM habitat. The Project team has added a contractor to provide constructability review of the anticipated limits of disturbance and sequencing that will be required, which will better detail the construction area and final footprint. A final proposed construction corridor will be presented as part of a formal disposal request. Outlet Works The Project will require an outlet to Viele Channel north of US36 to allow for the facility to drain back to South Boulder Creek in a controlled manner so as to not increase flood risk downstream. The outlet works is required to meet State Engineer dam safety requirements and to allow the entire reservoir to be drained to meet water rights requirements. The outlet works will consist of an intake structure, a 60-inch diameter conduit, and an outlet structure in Viele Channel. A plan view of the outlet works from 30% Design is shown in Figure 9. The outlet works alignment has been updated in the 60% Design to further reduce and move impacts closer to the US36 right-of-way. Tunneling will still be required to install the pipe under US36. The updated outlet works alignment is shown in Figure 10 and reduces impacts to OSMP by approximately 0.34 acres. OS-O Mitigation The Project will require environmental mitigation to account for impacts to wetlands, threatened and endangered species in the area, and OSMP property. The proposed area for this mitigation of permanent impacts is 119 acres on the CU South property with a land use designation of OS-O” under the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The proposed approach and concepts were presented to the Open Space Board of Trustees on January 11, 2023. The mitigation design has been further developed to a 30% design level and incorporated into the overall Project and is shown in Figure 11. In coordination with OSMP staff the Project has proposed a mitigation approach for all 119 acres of OS-O. This mitigation plan will exceed permitting requirements for the Project and create or enhance existing wetland habitat and potential habitat for PMJM and ULTO. The design also includes updated groundwater and geotechnical information that was collected since the alternatives analysis. This included an additional 12 borings and 9 groundwater well installations. The Project also expanded the environmental resources survey to include all 119 acres of the OS-O to better inform the mitigation design and concept. A summary of the mitigation plan habitats and environmental enhancements is shown in Table 2. Agenda Item 4 Page 4 Table 2. South Boulder Creek Environmental Mitigation Summary Environmental Resource Type Project Mitigation Requirements (acres) Mitigation Plan Habitat Generation (acres) USACE Wetlands 0.00 44.04 Boulder Regulated Wetlands 12.10 44.04 Boulder Wetland Buffer Zone 32.77 28.471 PMJM Potential Occupied Habitat 25.53 101.32 PMJM Critical Habitat 6.80 6.802 ULTO Habitat 15.02 43.86 1.The mitigation design prioritized wetland creation over buffer zone creation based on input from OSMP staff. 2.The mitigation plan does not create critical habitat in the existing unit but does meet the mitigation ratios to offset impacts to PMJM critical habitat. The Project also includes removal of the existing levee around the CU South property to allow for floodplain and environmental connectivity to the adjacent open space and for the Project to better function hydraulically. The proposed levee removal approach focuses on removing the levee down to adjacent natural ground while protecting existing environmental resources around the levee. A plan and typical section of the levee removal is shown in Figure 12. Groundwater Conveyance System A groundwater conveyance system will be installed in association with the secant pile wall to convey groundwater past the spillway alignment and mitigate impacts from the secant pile foundation. The groundwater conveyance system will consist of an aggregate collection trench upstream of the secant pile wall and an aggregate distribution trench downstream of the secant pile wall. Groundwater will be transferred from the collection trench to the distribution trench with connector pipes. The collection and distribution trenches will allow collection of groundwater above and distribution of groundwater below the spillway to mimic natural groundwater flow. Groundwater modeling was performed to evaluate simulated impacts to groundwater levels resulting from Project facilities. The groundwater system design is intended to match existing groundwater conditions in the areas adjacent to the project on OSMP property. Valves will be installed along the connector pipes and will allow for future adjustment of the groundwater conveyance system function. The wells used to develop the groundwater model can be incorporated into future groundwater monitoring related to the function of the groundwater conveyance system. Agenda Item 4 Page 5 CONCLUSION The 60% Design has been developed to further reduce and mitigate Project impacts to existing OSMP property and environmental resources. Some key advances in the design include an updated outlet works and spillway/floodwall alignments, environmental and geotechnical investigations, and selection and 30% design of the environmental mitigation area that will exceed permitting requirements for the project and create or enhance existing wetland habitat and potential habitat for PMJM and ULTO. The 60% design updates have resulted in a 0.4 acres reduction of impacts to existing OSMP property. NEXT STEPS The Project is currently in the 60% Design phase and is working on hydraulic modelling, civil design layout, geotechnical investigations, site survey and subsurface utility engineering, environmental permitting, constructability review and floodplain permitting. The current project schedule is shown in Figure 13. Next steps for the OSBT include consideration of a formal disposal request from City Utilities for the project in early 2024. The disposal of OSMP land is needed to convey any OSMP-managed land permanently needed by Utilities for the Project. Staff anticipate OSBT meetings over the course of Q1 2024 dedicated to this request and consideration. ATTACHMENTS •Attachment A: Figures (1-13) Agenda Item 4 Page 6 U.S. 3 6 S. Boulder Rd South Boulder CreekViele ChannelDry Creek Ditch No. 2Outlet Works Spillway Dam Embankment DetentionExcavation ExistingCU Levee PUB OS-O PK-U/O S Loop Drive Modifications Upper BearCreek DitchS. Boulder andBear Creek DitchTable Mesa Dr. H w y 9 3 Ecological Restoration Area P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 1 - Project Components.mxd± 0 800 1,600400 Feet PLAN OF PROJECT COMPONENTS October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 1 CU Boulder South Boundary OSMP Land Restoration Area Agenda Item 4 Page 7 U.S. 3 6 S. Boulder Rd South Boulder CreekExistingCU Levee Table Mesa Dr. H w y 9 3 P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 2 - Env Resources.mxd± 0 800 1,600400 Feet PLAN OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 2 ULTO Habitat PMJM Habitat Open Water Wetlands CU Boulder South Boundary Wetland Study Area PMJM Critical Habitat Agenda Item 4 Page 8 Estimated Areaof Disturbance (4.7 acres) OS-O US 3 6 P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\OSMP Impacts.mxd± 0 300 600150 Feet PLAN OF OSMP AREA OF DISTURBANCE October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 3 CU South Boundary CDOT Existing ROW Agenda Item 4 Page 9 U.S. 3 6 S. Boulder RdTable Mesa Dr. H w y 9 3 Arapahoe Road Valmont Road Foothills Pkwy28th StreetBaseline Road P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 3 - Existing 100-yr FP.mxd± 0 3,000 6,0001,500 Feet EXISTING CONDITIONS 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN LIMITS Notes: 1. Mapping is preliminary and will be modified to finalize floodplain limits. SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 3 Existing 100-yr Floodplain October 2023 4Agenda Item 4 Page 10 U.S. 3 6 S. Boulder RdTable Mesa Dr. H w y 9 3 Arapahoe Road Valmont Road Foothills Pkwy28th StreetBaseline Road P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 4 - Proposed 100-yr FP.mxd± 0 3,000 6,0001,500 Feet PROPOSED CONDITIONS 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN LIMITS October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 4 Proposed 100-year Floodplain Notes: 1. Mapping is preliminary and will be modified to finalize floodplain limits. 5Agenda Item 4 Page 11 U.S. 3 6 S. Boulder RdTable Mesa Dr. H w y 9 3 Arapahoe Road Valmont Road Foothills Pkwy28th StreetBaseline Road P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 5 - Differential FP Depths.mxd± 0 3,000 6,0001,500 Feet 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN DIFFERENTIAL DEPTHS October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 5 Below -1.0 -1.0 to -0.5 -0.5 to -0.1 -0.1 to 0.1 0.1 to 0.5 0.5 to 1 Above 1.0 Dry Notes: 1. Mapping is preliminary and will be modified to finalize floodplain limits. 6Agenda Item 4 Page 12 US-36537053605370536053605360536053605360536053505360535053603.5'5 3 5 0 535028+600+ 0 0 2+ 0 0 4+006+008+0010+0012+0014+0016+0018+0020+0022+0024+0026+0028+002+003+004+004+8453605 3 5 6P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\CAD\30%_Design\30 Percent Drawings\SBC DESIGN PHASE - 30 Percent\SPILLWAY PLAN AND PROFILE (3 OF 4).dwg7/15/2022XXXXXXXXXDATEDATEDATESPILLWAY GENERAL PLANSCALE IN FEET0 50 100200DATE XXXD126 OF 58DESIGNED BY:DESCRIPTIONNO.DATECHECKED BY:DRAWN BY:SHEET IDAPPROVED BY:30% DESIGNRJH CONSULTANTS9800 MT PYRAMID COURT, SUITE 330ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112RJH PROJECT NUMBER16134SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONALDETENTION FACILITYCITY OF BOULDERABCD12354℄ SPILLWAYMULTI-USE TRAILOVER SPILLWAYUS36 CONNECTIONDRY CREEK DITCH NO. 2SOUTH BOULDER CREEKVIELE CHANNELVIELE CHANNEL℄ DISTRIBUTION TRENCH℄ COLLECTION TRENCHUS36EMBANKMENT DAM(SEE SHEET C1)EXISTING WILDLIFECROSSINGEXISTING 24" x 36" ELLIPTICAL RCPLIMIT OF SPILLWAYSTA 1+00LIMIT OFSPILLWAYSTA 28+13℄ OUTLET WORKSWILDLIFE CROSSINGEXTENSION(2) 10' x 4' CBCEXISTING 6' x 4' CBCEXISTING 18" x 24" ELLIPTICAL RCPEXISTING 18" x 24" ELLIPTICAL RCPEXISTING 24" DIA. RCPEXISTING (3) 60" DIA. RCPSPILLWAY APRONOUTLET WORKS INTAKESTRUCTURE (SHEET G2)OUTLET WORKS DISCHARGESTRUCTURE (SHEET G4)DRY CREEK DITCH NO. 2 CULVERT EXTENSIONSOUTH BOULDER CREEKREGIONAL DETENTIONPROJECTPLAN OF SPILLWAY30-PERCENT DESIGNOctober 2023Figure 7PROJECT NO. 16134Agenda Item 4 Page 13 © 2023 Microsoft Corporation © 2022 Maxar ©CNES (2022) Distribution Airbus DS P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Archived CAD Folder\CAD_Archive\Design Modeling\60%_Design\Working\Spillway_Surfaces_Figs.dwg9/22/2023XXXXXXXXXDATEDATEDATE####SCALE IN FEET16008040DATEXXX######## OF 58DESIGNED BY:DESCRIPTIONNO.DATECHECKED BY:DRAWN BY:SHEET IDAPPROVED BY:60% DESIGNRJH CONSULTANTS9800 MT PYRAMID COURT, SUITE 330ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112RJH PROJECT NUMBER16134SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONALDETENTION FACILITYCITY OF BOULDERABCD1235460% DESIGN SPILLWAY ALIGNMENT30% DESIGN SPILLWAY ALIGNMENTCDOT ROWUTILITIESDRY CREEKDITCH NO.2SOUTH BOULDER CREEKREGIONAL DETENTIONPROJECTPLAN AND PROFILE OFSPILLWAY60-PERCENT DESIGNPROJECT NO. 16134October 2023Figure 8Agenda Item 4 Page 14 0+001+002+003+004+005+006+ 0 0 7+ 0 0 8+ 0 0 8+ 2 753455350535520+0022+0024+0026+00ELEVATIONSTATION - FEET53205330534053505360537053800+001+002+003+004+005+006+007+008+00P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\CAD\30%_Design\30 Percent Drawings\SBC DESIGN PHASE - 30 Percent\OUTLET WORKS GENERAL PLAN AND PROFILE.dwg7/15/2022XXXXXXXXXDATEDATEDATEOUTLET WORKS GENERALPLAN AND PROFILEHORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET0603015DATE XXXG152 OF 58DESIGNED BY:DESCRIPTIONNO.DATECHECKED BY:DRAWN BY:SHEET IDAPPROVED BY:30% DESIGNRJH CONSULTANTS9800 MT PYRAMID COURT, SUITE 330ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112RJH PROJECT NUMBER16134SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONALDETENTION FACILITYCITY OF BOULDERABCD12354DRY CREEK DITCH NO. 2 CHANNELEXISTING GROUNDFINISHED GRADECONCRETE ENCASED 60" DIA STL PIPECONCRETE OUTLETSTRUCTURE (SHEET G4)CONCRETE INLETSTRUCTURE (SHEET G2)℄ OUTLET WORKS60" DIA STL PIPECONCRETE OUTLETSTRUCTURE (SHEET G4)CONCRETE INLET STRUCTURE (SHEET G2)US3696" DIA CARRIER PIPEANNULUS(TO BE GROUTED)CONCRETE SPILLWAY WALLSECANT PILE WALLBOTTOM OF TRENCH(EL VARIES)℄ SPILLWAYEXCAVATION LIMITS96" DIA STL CARRIER PIPETEMPORARY 20' x 40' TUNNELLAUNCHING PIT29G61.5H:1V1.5H:1V10H:1VTEMPORARY TUNNEL LAUNCHING PITTEMPORARY TUNNEL RECEIVING PITPROFILEPLANVIELE CHANNELTEMPORARY TUNNELRECEIVING PITUS 36PROPERTY LINE62° BEND IN PIPEVERTICAL SCALE IN FEET001020560" DIA STL PIPEOSMP CDOTPROPERTY LINEOSMPCUDETENTIONEXCAVATION62°EXISTING CDOTMEDIA FILTERDRAINDETENTIONEXCAVATIONINLET STRUCTURE EXCAVATION LIMITSEXISTING CDOTMEDIA FILTERDRAINSOUTH BOULDER CREEKREGIONAL DETENTIONPROJECTPLAN AND PROFILEOF OUTLET WORKS30-PERCENT DESIGNOctober 2023Figure 9PROJECT NO. 16134Agenda Item 4 Page 15 P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Archived CAD Folder\CAD_Archive\Design Modeling\60%_Design\Working\Spillway_Surfaces_Figs.dwg9/26/2023XXXXXXXXXDATEDATEDATE####SCALE IN FEET0603015DATEXXX######## OF 58DESIGNED BY:DESCRIPTIONNO.DATECHECKED BY:DRAWN BY:SHEET IDAPPROVED BY:60% DESIGNRJH CONSULTANTS9800 MT PYRAMID COURT, SUITE 330ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112RJH PROJECT NUMBER16134SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONALDETENTION FACILITYCITY OF BOULDERABCD1235430% DESIGN OUTLET WORKS ALIGNMENT℄ SPILLWAY ALIGNMENT60% DESIGN OUTLET WORKS ALIGNMENTUTILITIESCU PROPERTY BOUNDARYCDOT ROWSOUTH BOULDER CREEKREGIONAL DETENTIONPROJECTPLAN OUTLET WORKSALIGNMENT60-PERCENT DESIGNPROJECT NO. 16134October 2023Figure 10Agenda Item 4 Page 16 ExistingCU Levee PUB OS-O PK-U/O P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 11 - 30% Eco Plan.mxd± 0 500 1,000250 Feet ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PLAN 30-PERCENT DESIGN October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 11 Existing Wetland Preservation Buffer Zone Enhancement Buffer Zone Creation Grassland and Scrub- Shrub/PSS Wet Meadow/PEM Wet Meadow/PEM Swale CU South Boundary Agenda Item 4 Page 17 U.S. 3 6 South Boulder CreekExistingCU LeveeDry Creek Ditch No. 2P:\16134 - South Boulder Creek\Engineering\GIS\Land Disposal\OSMP Oct 2023 Memo\Figure 12 - Levee Removal.mxd± 0 500 1,000250 Feet PLAN OF LEVEE REMOVAL October 2023 SOUTH BOULDER CREEK REGIONAL DETENTION PROJECT PROJECT NO. 16134 Figure 12 Levee Removal Area CU Boulder South Boundary 5380 5370 5360 EXISTING GROUND LEVEE REMOVAL SECTION1 1 NTS 5390 5380 5370 5360 5390 DRY CREEK DITCH NO. 2 Agenda Item 4 Page 18 2026Flood Mitigation DesignPermittingStakeholder AgreementsConstructionTodayQ1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3Preliminary 30% Design60% Design90% DesignFinal DesignFEMA CLOMREnvironmental PermittingCOE Jurisdictional DeterminationUSFWS Threatened and Endangered Species ConsultationCOE 404 Permit (Waters of the US)City of Boulder Wetland PermitCDOT Right-of-Way PermitSEO Dam Safety ReviewCU South Annexation AgreementCDOT AgreementDry Creek Ditch No. 2 AgreementOSMP AgreementsBidding/Contractor SelectionConstructionQ1 Q3 Q12021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026Q3 Q1 Q32Agenda Item 4 Page 19 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Open Space Board of Trustees Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Kacey French, Planning and Design Senior Manager Juliet Bonnell, Planner October 11, 2023 Written Information: Open Space and Mountain Parks Management Area Designation Update ________________________________________________________________________ Purpose and Background The purpose of this item is to provide an update to the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) on assigning Management Area Designations (MADs) to specific Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) properties that are without a designation, prior to future OSBT feedback anticipated later this year and in 2024. In 2005, the OSMP Visitor Master Plan (VMP) established four MADs that can be assigned to OSMP properties, including Passive Recreation Areas (PRA), Agricultural Areas (AA), Natural Areas (NA), and Habitat Conservation Areas (HCA). The primary goal of area management is to encourage visitor use in areas that can best accommodate the use in order to provide for high-quality visitor experiences in ways that protect the ecological, cultural and agricultural values of OSMP lands. Assigning management area designations to OSMP properties supports Master Plan Strategy FS. 8) Evaluate existing real estate assets on OSMP lands. The VMP established designations for the acquired OSMP land at the time and since then MADs have been established as part of smaller planning efforts similar to this such as new property planning, larger planning efforts such as the North Trail Study Area (2016), or at the time of acquisition. However, there remain OSMP properties without an established designation and staff intends to seek upcoming OSBT feedback on assigning designations to them. Overview of Management Area Designations and Current Status The characteristics, goals and criteria used to assign management area designations can be seen in excerpts from the VMP in Attachment A. Passive Recreation Areas are intended to accommodate the highest levels of visitation. They support a wide variety of recreational opportunities with a higher density of trails and more infrastructure to support the higher levels of use. They are generally located close to city or county development. Agricultural Areas emphasize sustainable agricultural operations in areas that provide good conditions for agriculture and/or where agricultural use is potentially vulnerable or incompatible with other uses. The goal is to maintain the efficiency of agricultural operations while also providing public access and recreational opportunities, where appropriate. These areas typically include crop production, irrigated hayfields and grazing areas. Trails tend to be more limited in these areas in order to minimize conflicts and enhance visitor safety and agricultural production. Agricultural Areas are typically in more rural areas of the OSMP system. Natural Areas include relatively high recreational and ecological values which are often interspersed. The main goal of Natural Areas is to integrate visitor access and enjoyment with resource conservation. These areas have varying levels of visitor use, types of activities and availability of facilities and can be either close to or remote from development. Written Information - Item A - Page 1 Habitat Conservation Areas represent OSMP’s best opportunity areas for conserving habitat for the broadest range of species and natural systems. They include areas with high biodiversity such as wetlands and riparian areas. HCAs are generally characterized by large blocks of habitat in good condition and are often occupied by species of concern such as threatened, endangered species or include plant communities that are rare or unique. The goal of HCAs is to maintain, enhance and restore naturally functioning ecological systems and habitat. Public access is allowed on-trail while permits are required for off-trail access to minimize impacts to and foster appreciation and understanding of natural resources. HCAs experience lower levels of visitation, have minimal infrastructure including trails, and tend to be in more remote areas. A total of approximately 35,400 acres of OSMP land have been assigned MADs. Approximately 41% of OSMP properties are designated as HCAs, 37% are Natural Areas, 12% are Passive Recreation Areas, and 10% are Agricultural Areas. A map showing the location of these MADs on the OSMP system is included as Attachment B. Currently, there are approximately 40 properties on the OSMP system that do not have management area designations. The majority of these properties were acquired after 2005 when the VMP designations were made although some were acquired earlier and were missed or not included in previous designation efforts. Three of these properties, Fort Chambers/Poor Farm, Lippincott, and Sombrero Marsh II will not be assigned MADs as part of this process and will instead be handled in separate planning processes due to complexities and/or current or upcoming separate planning processes. Assigning MADs to properties will support future geographic specific planning (i.e. Trail Study Area or Integrated Site Planning level planning) and other land management operational decisions by providing overall context and guidance on how and where visitor activities should occur. MADs also provide guidance on the overall management emphasis of properties to ensure compatibility of visitor use with natural, agricultural and cultural resources across the OSMP system. Management Area Designation Process Staff has divided the approximately 40 properties into four groups of properties based on geographic location as shown in Attachment C. Staff will bring forward MAD recommendations as four groups of properties to OSBT for public comment and board feedback starting at the end of this year and in 2024. A list of properties is provided in Attachment D. In order to assign a MAD staff will consider the landscape context and the management area designations of adjacent properties as well as the criteria as defined in the VMP. In addition to assigning a MAD staff will also review the open/closed status of the properties to determine if there have been any changes since acquisition that warrant a change in that status. Of the approximately 40 properties, 16 are currently open and 21 are currently closed. This is because upon acquisition, new properties are automatically closed to public access and generally remain closed until the management area designation process. In some cases, properties have had a follow up assessment that has resulted in the property being opened to public access in cases where no resource sensitivities or safety hazards have been identified. Passive Recreation, Agricultural, and Natural Areas Designation Process Based on staff’s evaluation of a property using the criteria and context outlined above, staff will develop a MAD recommendation for each property. If the recommended MAD is Passive Recreation, Agricultural, or Natural Area the process includes bringing the recommendation to the board with an opportunity for public feedback. The board provides feedback to staff, but a board recommendation to council is not required. Written Information - Item A - Page 2 Habitat Conservation Area Designation Process If an HCA designation is being recommended, the board will be asked for their recommendation to City Council in addition to the public process outlined above. Council must adopt an ordinance that describes the boundaries of the open space properties in the HCA in order to allow enforcement of regulations, such as on-trail requirements and the off-trail permit program. This process is shown in the graphic below. Active and Inactive HCAs Sometimes City Council does not immediately approve an HCA ordinance following an HCA designation recommendation. Therefore, some existing HCAs have been designated as HCAs, but have not yet been activated through an ordinance approved by council to regulate them. For example, the VMP established nine HCAs and four of these have not yet been activated via City Council ordinance as shown in Attachment B. There are nuances to the reasons why each of these HCAs haven’t yet been activated. In general, it is because a public planning process is still needed to determine the level of public access that would be appropriate in these areas and/or planning guidance around access still needs to be implemented, such as the construction of trails. One example of the latter reason is the North Foothills HCA. This HCA was designated as part of the VMP in 2005 with more specific management direction provided by the North TSA in 2016. Activation of this HCA is waiting on implementation of the trail access recommended in the North TSA. Once construction of the North Sky Trail is nearing completion in 2024 staff will bring an ordinance to City Council for activation of this HCA. For the remaining three inactive HCAs (Tallgrass Prairie East, Jewel Mountain, and Sombrero Marsh), staff is considering how to prioritize these planning processes on our workplan. The management area designation process described in this memo may add new properties to existing HCAs, but it will not activate any inactive HCAs. NEXT STEPS Staff will return to the OSBT with recommendations to advance the four groups of properties through the management area designation process. The first group of properties is anticipated to be brought to Written Information - Item A - Page 3 the Board at the end of this year with the remaining groups of properties anticipated to be brought forward throughout 2024. Attachments: •Attachment A: Excerpts from the OSMP Visitor Master Plan (pages 47-50) •Attachment B: Map showing properties with assigned MADs •Attachment C: Map showing properties without MADs •Attachment D: Tables of groups of properties without MADs Written Information - Item A - Page 4 Community Meetings. Conduct periodic meetings with community groups and the public to "check in" on plan implementation and adjust as necessary. Volunteerism. Foster volunteerism as an important component of public involvement. Management Areas: A Geographic Framework for Implementing the Plan Open Space and Mountain Parks will use an area management system as a framework for implementing Visitor Master Plan implementation strategies. Key policies, programs, and projects are targeted to area-specific needs throughout the system. The Open Space and Mountain Parks area management system provides a framework for implementing management strategies and setting priorities for visitor infrastructure improvements and service delivery. Under the umbrella of area management, certain key policies, programs, and projects are targeted to area-specific needs in different parts of the Open Space and Mountain Parks land system. Area management defines the geographic context for deciding which visitor activities are most suitable in a given area and what conditions will minimize impacts on other visitors or resources. Protection, preservation, and management of city lands and provision of passive recreation opportunities, as defined by the City Charter, are fundamental goals for the Open Space and Mountain Parks Program. Management area designations define a management emphasis for different areas within the Open Space and Mountain Parks land system, based on a primary open space purpose (e.g., provision of quality passive recreational opportunities, preservation of agriculture, and protection and restoration of natural systems). The management designation defines suitable visitor activities in each type of area and under what conditions those activities can occur. The management designation also defines the management strategies needed to enhance visitor experience and ensure compatibility of visitor activities with resource protection. Specific management strategies are applied in a given management area. The set of strategies applied in a given management area is based on the land characteristics (e.g., physical and ecological qualities, existing and anticipated visitor use patterns, existing and potential visitor infrastructure, and others) and the management needs that exist in that area. A flexible approach for applying strategies to a given management area is necessary, as exceptions may be needed to meet special circumstances. A Description of the Open Space and Mountain Parks Management Area Designations The primary goal of area management is to encourage visitor use in areas that can best accommodate the use, which includes areas that can provide a high-quality visitor experience and ensure compatibility of visitor use with natural, agricultural, and cultural resources. Areas with highly vulnerable resources require a higher level of protection: directing people away from sensitive resources, placing conditions on the use that avoids or minimizes impact, or providing visitor infrastructure to ensure acceptable levels of impact. The quality of the environment--the "naturalness" of an area--is the foundation of the recreational experience on Open Space and Mountain Parks lands. Consequently, both the quality of the environment, and the quality of visitor experience, should be preserved and maintained in all Open Space and Mountain Parks management areas. Four management area designations are defined on Open Space and Mountain Parks lands: Passive Recreation Areas, Natural Areas, Agricultural Areas, and Habitat Conservation Areas (see Map 4.5 ). These management area designations provide the overall context for how visitor 47 Attachment A: Excerpts from the OSMP Visitor Master Plan (pages 47-50) Written Information - Item A - Page 5 activities should occur. See Map 4.6 for a delineation of dog management strategies applied within management areas. Management areas are delineated for each of the designation categories. The characteristics, goals, and criteria used to delineate the management areas are described below Passive Recreation Area Designation Characteristics •Generally in close proximity to city or county development. •Higher level of visitor use and density of existing trails. •More evidence of human use and impacts. •May include some interspersed patches of high-quality habitat Goals •Provide a high level of public access to destinations and connection through designated trails. •Maintain or improve passive recreational and educational opportunities, while protecting and preserving natural lands and resources. •Accommodate high levels of visitor use with appropriate management, trails and trail heads, and services. •Reduce conflicts among visitor activities. •Minimize the number of undesignated or "social trails;" eliminate undesignated trails when they are duplicative or damaging to resources. Criteria for Inclusion of Management Areas in the Passive Recreation Arna Designation •Higher level of visitation. •Trails and !railheads that accommodate high levels of visitor use. •High density of trails. •Offers destinations for a wide range of different passive recreational activities. •Compatibility with adjacent land use (i.e., opportunities to coordinate with neighboring or nearby landowners/managers in providing recreational services). Natural Area Designation Characteristics •Locations can be both close to and remote from development. •Varying levels of visitor use, types of activities, and availability of facilities. •Conditions of natural ecosystems are variable--many areas with ecological systems in good condition, some with evidence of human use and impacts. •May be in proximity to agricultural production and operations. Goals •Accommodate low-impact visitor activities where adequate trails exist or can be built, and resource impacts can be minimized. •Provide opportunities for passive recreational and educational activities that require topographic relief or a natural setting (e.g., hang/paragliding, climbing/bouldering, nature study, scenic viewing). •Protect the quality of natural and agricultural resources (especially where high value resources exist). •Eliminate undesignated trails when they are redundant or damaging to resources. 48 Written Information - Item A - Page 6 Criteria forInclusion of Management Amas in the Natural Arna Designation •Interspersed recreational and natural values require that management determine the appropriate mix of open space purposes and manage multiple uses accordingly. •Relatively high resource and recreation values. •Compatibility with adjacent land use (i.e., opportunities for coordinating habitat protection and connections and passive recreational activities/trail linkages). Agricultural Area Designation Characteristics •Rural areas in the Boulder Valley. •May be in proximity to areas of either high or low visitor use. •Areas of intensive agricultural production or operation. Goals •Maintain the efficiency of agricultural production and operation. •Manage agricultural production and operation to ensure safety for operators and visitors in the vicinity. •Provide, where appropriate, public access and passive recreational opportunities that have minimal impacts on agricultural production and operation or other resources. •Manage visitor access in areas of intensive agricultural production or operation to ensure visitor safety. •Eliminate undesignated trails when they are redundant or damaging to resources. Criteria forInclusion of Management Amas in the Agricultural Area Designation •Crop production and irrigated hay fields and grazing areas. •Areas where conflicts with visitors and their pet companions could or do adversely affect the efficiency of agricultural production and operations or endanger visitor safety. •Compatibility with adjacent land use (i.e., opportunities for coordinating agricultural protection and recreational activities/trail linkages). Note: Areas of concentrated livestock activity (corrals, horse boarding, etc.), private residences, machinery storage areas, etc. will be addressed in a separate policy. Habitat Conservation Area Designation Characteristics •Tend to be located in more remote areas. •Typically represent the largest blocks of an ecosystem type with few, if any, trails or roads. •Lower level of visitor use; no or few trails and !railheads. •Naturally functioning ecosystems (but may contain areas with evidence of human use and impacts). Goals •Maintain, enhance, and/or restore naturally functioning ecological systems. •Maintain, enhance, and restore habitat for species of concern identified in the Boulder County and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plans. •Provide public access and passive recreational opportunities that foster appreciation and understanding of ecological systems and have minimal impacts on native plant communities and wildlife habitats or other resources. 49 Written Information - Item A - Page 7 •Eliminate all undesignated trails, unless they are made part of the designated trails system or provide specialized access to appropriate low-use destinations. •Where sustainable infrastructure exists, continue to allow public access to appropriate destinations. Criteria for Inclusion of Management Areas in the Habitat Conservation Area Designation •Large habitat blocks with a low density of trails, roads, or development. •High potential for restoration of natural ecosystems (including areas with restoration underway). •Plant communities that are rare or unique on Open Space and Mountain Parks lands. •Habitat for species of concern such as threatened, endangered, rare, and other species. •Areas with high biodiversity such as wetlands and riparian areas (especially un-trailed riparian reaches). •Comparatively lower visitation levels. •Compatibility with adjacent land use (i.e., opportunities for coordinating habitat protection and connections and recreational activities/trail linkages). Management Area Strategies The management strategies associated with each management area designation are summarized in Table 4.1. Note: The following table identifies strategies normally applied in specific management area designations. ( That does not preclude localized application in any of the management areas where needed). Table 4.1: Management Strategies for Open Space and Mountain Parks Management Areas Management Passive Recreation Natural Area Strategies Agricultural Area Habitat Issue Area Strategies Strategies Conservation Area Strategies On-Trail Visitor Encourage on-trail Encourage on-trail use. Encourage on-trail Reguire on-trail use Use use. Require on-trail Require on-trail use in use. Require on-trail except: Note: Management in all use in sensitive areas and/or at sensitive areas and/or at specific times, unless an use in sensitive areas and/or at (1)in a limited number ofareas may include seasonal or local req uirements for visitors to stay on-trail or seasonal/local closures to address environmental specific times, unless an off-trail permit is obtained. off-trail permit is obtained. specific times, unless an off-trail permit is obtained. designated off-trail activity areas; or (2)if an off-trail permit is obtained for OS M P-sponsored sensitivity or trail activities or other sustainability. limited and approved public use. All designated trails will be sig ned and indicated on trail maps. Consider/provide designated on-trail access to selected destinations. Consider/provide designated on-trail access to selected destinations. 50 Written Information - Item A - Page 8 !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i!i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i!i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i !i!i !i !i BaselineReservoir Standley Lake GrossRes BoulderReservoir HillcrestRes MarshallLake LeggettRes ValmontLake Res Gunbarrel /Heatherwood WestSanitas Gunbarrel /Heatherwood- PRA Flatirons/ MountainBackdrop ElephantButtress LowerBoulderCreek WesternMountainParks Schneider-IRLLC BoulderValleyRanch WestMarshallMesa Outlots SouthernGrasslands SouthBoulderCreek EastBoulderValley CottonwoodGrove WesternMountainParks NorthernTier LefthandCanyon Flagstaff /Chautauqua Outlots East Beech Outlots Wonderland Outlots Shanahan Gunbarrel /Heatherwood- NA EldoradoMountain Outlots Dry Creek ValmontReservoir South Mesa EastMarshallMesa Northern Tier EastBoulder Doudy Draw Anemone Hill EastBoulderValley Diagonal NorthBoulderValley CreekConfluence SanitasValley /Red Rocks Hodges NorthernTier TallgrassPrairie East JewelMountain SombreroMarsh NorthFoothills User: PhilC2 Date: 9/22/2022 Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Planning\Data\MADUpdates\OSMPMADBoardPresentation2022.mxd 0 1 20.5 Miles OSMP Management Areas Management Area Designations Other Public Lands Trails Managed by OSMP Non-OSMP Trails Hiking Trail Multi-use Trail All Trail Types µ Habitat Conservation AreaActive Inactive No Public Access Passive Recreation Area Natural Area Agricultural Area !i Trailhead Attachment B: Map Showing Properties with Assigned Management Area Designations Written Information - Item A - Page 9 User Name: mayw Path: E:\MapFiles\Planning\ManagementAreas_VMP\23-04-05_OSMP Properties without MADs.mxd ¯ 0 1 20.5 Miles D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D OSMP Properties without Management Area Designations OSMP Properties without Management Area Designations Management Area Agricultural Natural Passive Recreation Highway Arterial Active Habitat Conservation Area Inactive Habitat Conservation Area Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: 3D Elevation Program. USGS Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Center: GMTED2010. Data refreshed March, 2021. User Name: mayw Path: E:\MapFiles\Planning\ManagementAreas_VMP\23-04-05_OSMP Properties without MADs.mxd 0 2 41 Miles OSMP Properties without Management Area Designations OSMP Properties withoutManagement Area Designations Management Area Agricultural Natural Passive Recreation Highway Arterial Active Habitat Conservation Area Inactive Habitat Conservation Area Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: 3D Elevation Program. USGS Earth Resources Observation & Science(EROS) Center: GMTED2010. Data refreshed March, 2021. 119 72 0 2 41 Miles Buckingham Campground Inset Map 119 0 2 41 Miles Boulder Falls Inset Map User Name: mayw Path: E:\MapFiles\Planning\ManagementAreas_VMP\23-04-05_OSMP Properties without MADs.mxd 0 1.5 30.75 Miles OSMP Properties without Management Area Designations OSMP Properties withoutManagement Area Designations Management Area Agricultural Natural Passive Recreation Highway Arterial Active Habitat Conservation Area Inactive Habitat Conservation Area Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: 3D Elevation Program. USGS Earth Resources Observation & Science(EROS) Center: GMTED2010. Data refreshed March, 2021. Shanahan, North Ma�erhorn I Ma�erhorn II Public Service Company Chambers - Boulder County Snyder Pospahala Wille Meyer - Boulder County Shanahan, South Delier Ranch Stengel II Pond Shanahan, South - Circle Enclosure Mar�nson Centennial Trail Woodley Rosenbla�-Ryan Granite St. Walburga Abbey Gunbarrel Tech Center I, North LC Plaza, LLC Hogan Pancost Sui�s Trust Coleman Oliver Opal Valmont Industrial Park Pearl Parkway ROW Boulder Valley Farm Depoorter II Arapahoe Chemicals 96 Arapahoe 90 Arapahoe Salaman Weiser Campbell OverlookLauffenbergerShanahan, North Ma�erhorn I Ma�erhorn II Public Service Company Chambers - Boulder County Snyder Pospahala Wille Meyer - Boulder County Shanahan, South Delier Ranch Stengel II Pond Shanahan, South - Circle Enclosure Mar�nson Centennial Trail Woodley Rosenbla�-Ryan Granite St. Walburga Abbey Gunbarrel Tech Center I, North LC Plaza, LLC Hogan Pancost Sui�s Trust Coleman Oliver Opal Valmont Industrial Park Pearl Parkway ROW Boulder Valley Farm Fort Chambers- Poor Farm Lauffenberger Depoorter II Arapahoe Chemicals 96 Arapahoe 90 Arapahoe Campbell Overlook Salaman Lippinco� Ranch Sombrero Marsh II Weiser Campbell Overlook Lauffenberger Salaman Depoorter II Shanahan, North Shanahan, South Shanahan, South - Circle Enclosure Ma�erhorn I Ma�erhorn II Wille Delier Ranch Stengel II Pond Group 1Group 2 Mar�nson Woodley Rosenbla�-Ryan Boulder Valley Farm Weiser Group 3 Public Service Company Pospahala Meyer - Boulder County 96 Arapahoe 90 Arapahoe Chambers - Boulder County Snyder Group 4 Centennial Trail Granite St. Walburga Abbey Gunbarrel Tech Center I, North LC Plaza, LLC Hogan Pancost Sui�s Trust Coleman Oliver Opal Valmont Industrial ParkPearl Parkway ROW Arapahoe Chemicals Group 1 Group 3 Group 4 Group 2 Attachment C: Map Showing Groups of Properties without MADs Written Information - Item A - Page 10 Atachment D. Tables Showing Groups of Proper�es without MADs Group 1: Southern Por�on of OSMP System Property Name Approximate Acreage Current Status Wille <1 acre Open Shanahan 178 acres Closed Delier Ranch 25 acres Closed Stengel II Pond 1 acre Closed Materhorn I 3 acres Open Materhorn II 4 acres Open Lauffenberger <1 acre Open Campbell Overlook 4 acres Open Salaman 1 acre Open Depoorter II 2 acres Closed Group 2: North/Western Por�on of OSMP System Property Name Approximate Acreage Current Status Snyder 5 acres Closed Chambers-Boulder County 1 acre Closed Public Service Company <1 acre Open Pospahala <1 acre Open 90 Arapahoe 2 acres Closed 96 Arapahoe 1 acre Closed Meyer- Boulder County <1 acre Closed Buckingham Campground 26 acres Open Boulder Falls 6 acres Open Group 3: Far Eastern Por�on of OSMP System Property Name Approximate Acreage Current Status Weiser 243 acres Closed Boulder Valley Farm 617 acres Closed Mar�nson 84 acres Closed Woodley 6 acres Closed Rosenblat-Ryan 49 acres Closed Group 4: Near Eastern Por�on of OSMP System Property Name Approximate Acreage Current Status Gunbarrel Tech Center I, North 3 acres Open Pearl Parkway ROW 26 acres Open LC Plaza, LLC 2 acres Closed Valmont Industrial Park 8 acres Open Arapahoe Chemicals <1 acre Open Centennial Trail <1 acre Open Opal 5 acres Closed Coleman 10 acres Closed Oliver 12 acres Closed Written Information - Item A - Page 11 Atachment D. Tables Showing Groups of Proper�es without MADs Suits Trust 22 acres Closed Hogan Pancost 3 acres Closed Granite 25 acres Closed St. Walburga Abbey 70 acres Open Written Information - Item A - Page 12 MEMORANDUM TO: Open Space Board of Trustees FROM: Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Jeff Haley, Deputy Director, Trails and Facilities DATE: October 11, 2023 SUBJECT: Written Information: Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain ________________________________________________________________________ Executive Summary The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department is coordinating with the Boulder Chamber of Commerce (Boulder Chamber) to update an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ongoing stewardship and operation of the Boulder Star (star) on Flagstaff Mountain. OSMP and the Boulder Chamber have an ongoing relationship lasting for many years through an MOU to ensure the annual lighting and enjoyment of the star, while also contemplating the ongoing stewardship and maintenance needs of this unique asset for the community. The Boulder Star is a legacy structure and icon for Boulder that is lit each year on top of Flagstaff Mountain on OSMP-managed land for the holiday season from after sunset on Veteran’s Day to before sunset on January second. This tradition is over 70 years old and is part of the Boulder County culture with many residents and tourists anticipating viewing the star each year as part of their holiday traditions. The star is currently maintained by the Boulder Chamber who relies on public donations and corporate sponsors such as the annual greeting card that is sold to fund repairs and operations. While the star is on OSMP property, the department staff have typically managed the land around the star while the Boulder Chamber manages the star and its various infrastructure. A few key changes have occurred with the star in recent years including a closure of the OSMP lands in this area due to the high increase in visitation to the star and associated natural resource impacts and staff performing more detailed inspection and condition analysis of the infrastructure of the star to determine key upgrades. With all the recent focus and attention on the star, OSMP and the Boulder Chamber are at a crossroads to make some strategic and timely decisions in this current update to the MOU regarding the ongoing stewardship and longer-term infrastructure maintenance. The purpose of this update is to give a brief background of the recent status of the star and outline a timeline of next steps. Background The Boulder Star has a long and interesting history like many aspects of Boulder. According to Sutak (2014)1, “In 1947, the Flagstaff Star was born, innocently enough, as a Christmas decoration for the people of the city of Boulder to enjoy during the holiday season. 1947 was a good year, but the following season, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce—the star’s keeper—chose to convert the star into an Easter Cross. For the next two decades, the formation of the lights on the side of Flagstaff Mountain alternated between the Christmas Star and the Easter Cross; always making an annual appearance in either form in time for the holidays”. Since the 1950’s the star has remained lit only in its star configuration for the holidays and in recent years lit in special cases to show solidarity with the 1 History of the Flagstaff Star: The Light That Guides Boulder Through The Holiday Season, Your Boulder, Tyra Sutak, 2014 Written Information - Item B - Page 1 community for tragic events such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 King Soopers tragedy in south Boulder. The primary plan guidance that OSMP has for the star is the West Trail Study Area Plan (WTSA) that identified the Star as a “key destination and recommended retaining access and encouraging dispersed use”. The land immediately below and adjacent to the star does not have any designated or maintained trails for a viewing area and is located on a steep slope. Visitor access to the area occurs off-trail or upon a network of undesignated trails that over the years has led to resource damage including the development of gullies and de-vegetation across a large area. Loose soil combined with the steep slope, has increased the danger of slipping and falling for visitors who try to view the star up close. Illegal activity such as alcohol consumption, smoking and vandalism has left broken glass and litter on the ground adjacent to the star. Though the star has a long history as a destination and as a gathering spot, particularly at night, during the COVID-19 pandemic an emergency order was enacted to close the area immediately surrounding the star in 2020 due to large crowds of visitors not adhering to social distancing and noticeable increase in litter and impact to the land. This rule, which applies to the area immediately below the star located to the west of the 1.2-mile mark of Flagstaff Road, allowed the site time to be restored and mitigate public safety concerns. To discourage trespassing into the closed area, staff installed a fence and ensured information and regulatory signs were added where needed. The implementation of the on-going area closure in 2020 was to be followed by department actions in 2021 and beyond to assess and determine other management actions and infrastructure considerations through a future planning and design effort in partnership with the Boulder Chamber and the broader community to update long-term management guidance for how members of the public can experience and enjoy the Boulder Star for years to come. Current Status OSMP staff in conjunction with the Boulder Chamber worked through the feasibility analysis in 2021that identified a preferred option to leave the Boulder Star in its current location but close the access in the immediate vicinity indefinitely until more information can be collected and a longer-term solution for access can be determined that protects the resource and mitigates the challenges. This option is essentially how the site was managed during the pandemic in 2020. During this time, almost all the management issues that OSMP faced were mitigated by these actions. OSMP staff concluded that continued management of this area in this way could mitigate the remaining larger ecological issues as well. OSMP staff will continue to monitor the success of these management actions. Another major task was completed in 2021 that involved a team of engineering consultants performing a thorough assessment of the star and delivering a report that outlines recommended infrastructure upgrades and improvements to ensure the long-term viability and safe operation of the star. These recommendations are now being vetted with contractors to determine costs and implementation priorities. All this information is being reviewed and considered within the context of updating the MOU with the Boulder Chamber and understanding the best working relationship for the star and the OSMP land moving forward. Some of the key highlights of the new MOU include: •The Boulder Chamber and the City will be declared “joint stewards of the Boulder Star” in all City and Boulder Chamber public communications concerning the Boulder Star. •There is a shared understanding that the Boulder Star will be illuminated for the holiday season beginning on November 11, Veterans Day, each year and remain illuminated through January 1. Within that period, the Boulder Star will be illuminated daily from dusk until midnight during the Boulder Star illumination period. Written Information - Item B - Page 2 •In the event there is a need for major capital maintenance improvements to the Boulder Star, OSMP will provide the Boulder Chamber with an opportunity in development and implementation of a fundraising strategy to generate the necessary resources to cover the improvement expenses, recognizing there can be no commitment of City of Boulder funds until the year they are to be officially allocated through the annual City of Boulder budget process. •OSMP will perform regular inspection, assessment and confirmation of Boulder Star infrastructure safety and integrity to ensure viability and good working conditions to sustain through the traditional seasonal illumination period and in response to exceptional community need for illumination of the Boulder Star. Throughout all maintenance planning and implementation, OSMP staff will be partnering with the Boulder Chamber to cover cost associated with maintenance activities that are identified. •OSMP will perform all infrastructure preventative maintenance and necessary repairs for the Boulder Star - including but not limited to structural, electrical and other aspects except for lightbulb replacement and other options that may be supported by volunteers, in coordination with the Boulder Chamber. OSMP staff will track all annual costs associated with the Boulder Star and coordinate with the Boulder Chamber to ensure that the costs are covered through the annual fundraising and support activities supported by the Boulder Chamber. •OSMP will determine when Boulder Star lights should be turned off due to public safety concerns, such as fire danger and high wind events, and will provide notice to the Boulder Chamber of those instances. The OSMP staff will monitor the official National Weather Service forecasts and when an actual Red Flag Warning or High Wind Advisory has been declared and will return the star to the normal lighting once the advisory has expired. •The Boulder Chamber will have specific responsibility for covering the annual cost for replacement light bulbs and reimbursing the city for the Boulder Star’s electric power supply costs, along with expenses associated with planning and implementation of the annual Boulder Star lighting ceremony, publicity and public communications regarding the Boulder Star operations. •The Boulder Chamber may conduct fundraising activities to cover its costs relating to the Boulder Star, which includes the exclusive right – as between OSMP and the Boulder Chamber - to generate a Boulder Star holiday card and other related salable items. The Boulder Chamber will be responsible for publicity and outreach for special lighting events outside of the holiday season, in consultation with OSMP and with acknowledgement of the City/Chamber partnership. Next Steps OSMP staff and the Boulder Chamber are finalizing the new updated MOU and working towards completion prior to the annual lighting in early November. Staff with each agency are working with their respective attorneys and then taking the final draft through the necessary approval processes. Staff will continue to update the OSBT as the final conditions of the MOU are determined and any resulting changes in workplan priorities or budgets are identified. Written Information - Item B - Page 3 MEMORANDUM TO: Open Space Board of Trustees FROM: Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Jeff Haley, Deputy Director, Trails and Facilities Hilary Dees, Trails Program Manager Mark Gershman, Senior Project Manager DATE: October 11, 2023 SUBJECT: Written Information: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant: Mount Sanitas Trail Projects ________________________________________________________________________ Staff have submitted a partial application for a federal Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant through the state for 2025-2027 for a project on Mt. Sanitas. The project will be focused on much needed renovations and repairs to the Sanitas trails and implementing a variety of actions outlined within the West Trail Study Area (WTSA). The grantor requires a resolution from the governing body as part of the application. The purpose of this document is to provide the Open Space Board of Trustees with the memo (Attachment A) that will be provided to City Council for their Oct. 19, 2023 meeting. In the attached memo, staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution recognizing certain conditions of the grant and authorizing the City Manager to apply for the grant described above. Staff is working with the Boulder Open Space Conservancy (BOSC) on this project as part of their focus on the Mt. Sanitas area. BOSC will be seeking sponsorship and philanthropy for matching funds. Attachments: •Attachment A: City Council Memorandum and Draft Resolution Written Information - Item C - Page 1 CITY OF BOULDER CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: October 19, 2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this memo is to request that City Council adopt Resolution 1340 (Attachment A) confirming council’s support for a grant application submitted by the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department for approximately $1,231,000 from the Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife (CPW) State Trails Program’s allocation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve visitors’ experiences and trail sustainability by making improvements to trails on city-owned lands managed as Open Space on at Mount Sanitas (Attachment A); and authorizing the city manager to apply for the grant, confirming City Council’s support for the completion of the project and intent of the city to support long-term maintenance and dedication of the affected land to public recreation in perpetuity. The trail improvements are elements of the West Trail Study Area Plan which was approved by the Open Space Board of Trustees and City Council following an extensive community engagement process. AGENDA TITLE Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1340 supporting a Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund improvements to trails in the vicinity of Mount Sanitas. PRESENTERS Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City Manager Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Jeff Haley, Deputy Director, Trails and Facilities, Open Space and Mountain Parks Mark Gershman, Senior Project Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPACTS •Economic – The item requests City Council approve the use of federal funding sources administered by the State of Colorado to leverage city funds for priority facility improvement on city Open Space land. Grant funds will allow for the use of materials and techniques that will reduce periodic and long-term maintenance costs. Open Space land contributes to the economic vitality goal of the city as it provides the context for the diverse and vibrant economic system that sustains services for residents. The land system and the quality of life it represents attract visitors and helps businesses to recruit and retain quality employees. •Environmental – This project has been designed specifically to avoid and minimize impacts to ecological resources. Trail improvements will decrease the degree to which OSMP visitors travel off trail reducing impacts to the surrounding habitat. •Social - This proposed trail improvements would improve recreational opportunities for Boulder residents and other OSMP visitors. Since the trails, like all OSMP lands, facilities and programs, are equally accessible to all members of the community, the proposed project helps to support the city's community sustainability goal because all residents "who live in Boulder can feel a part of and thrive in" this important place for community enjoyment and renewal. OTHER IMPACTS •Fiscal – The total project cost is estimated at $2,270,000. The city’s share (cash match) of the proposed trail improvements is approximately $1,144,000 over three years, to be supported by the Open Space Fund. The city proposes to request approximately $1,226,000 in grant funding. •Staff time – This project is included in the OSMP work program. BOARD AND COMMISSION FEEDBACK OSBT members received a verbal update regarding staff’s submittal of the pre- application materials for this grant opportunity. The board received a written update about the status of the application. If issues are raised by the Board they will be noted here. Suggested Motion Language: Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following: Motion to adopt Resolution 1340 supporting a Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund improvements to trails in the vicinity of Mount Sanitas. DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 3 PUBLIC FEEDBACK The council-approved Visitor Master Plan (2005) identified trail study area planning a way to provide specific on-the-ground action to deliver a high quality visitor experience and sustainable trails system while protecting OSMP resources. The trail and facility improvements identified for funding with the LWCF were identified in the Sanitas, Anemone and Red Rocks Sub Area of West Trail Study Area (TSA) Plan. The West TSA plan was approved by the City Council in March 2011 following an extensive community engagement process and the OSBT’s recommendation for council approval. Staff believes that there is on-going community support for efforts to identify and apply for supplemental sources of funding to deliver priority community services. This item has been publicly noticed and council’s consideration is taking place during a public meeting with opportunities for public comment. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS The proposed resolution is in support of the city’s application to the State of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Wildlife Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) Grant Program. The purpose of the LWCF grant program is to help government agencies nationwide protect valuable natural resources and provide meaningful public recreation opportunities. Since 1965, LWCF has been administered locally by the state for the National Park Service (NPS). The program has distributed around $70 million in support of more than 1,100 Colorado-based projects focused on land acquisition to create new outdoor spaces, or the development of existing sites and facilities. In 2022, the city received $750,000 from LCWF to support the development of the “Violet Park” site. With mounting costs for materials, supplies and contracted services, OSMP staff has been seeking alternative funding sources to supplement sales tax revenues in the Open Space Fund. The proposed project would fund critical trail improvements and renovations in the Mount Sanitas area that were identified and prioritized in the council-approved West TSA Plan. These trails see approximately 375,000 visits per year and serve a diverse range of visitors with a “close to home” natural experience that inspires stewardship and connection to the environment. With the high visitation and increasing extreme weather events, these trails are at a tipping point and the city is seeking the leveraged resources of the LWCF to advance this work beyond our annual cycle of just keeping up with use. This funding will allow the team to focus on Mount Sanitas for three years (2025-2027) by designating and improving new trails, providing direct open space access to Boulder’s neighborhoods, repairing and improving the trails leading to the summit and providing sustainable and safe access to bouldering areas. Attachments B and C show the location of proposed improvements. Staff identified these improvements at Mount Sanitas as good candidates for the LWCF because of their widespread benefit to visitors and ecological systems alike, as well as reduced annual and long-term maintenance costs. Grant funding will free up resources to address other stewardship priorities. DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 4 As part of the application process, CPW requires a Resolution from the governing body confirming their support for: 1) the completion of the project, 2) long-term maintenance of the site, and 3) the dedication of the affected land to public recreation in perpetuity. Resolution 1340 (Attachment A) provides those assurances subject to annual appropriation of funds and the provisions of the City Charter. The laws and regulations associated with the LWCF discourage the conversion of the affected properties from public outdoor recreation and require the city to record that the property has been dedicated to that use in perpetuity. The city owns the properties identified in the grant application in fee, they were purchased with open space funds and consequently are bound by the pertinent charter provisions regarding the use and management of open space. Staff believes that requirements for federal funding are consistent with the City Charter purposes of open space and does not anticipate conflicts with the future use or management of the affected OSMP- managed land. Staff has consulted with CPW staff to ensure that management for the full range of open space purposes as defined in the charter will continue to be allowed. For example, the city’s practice of enacting seasonal closures to protect raptors and other wildlife would be allowed. The project is consistent with the 2019 OSBT and City Council approved OSMP Master Plan. The Master Plan identifies four focus areas, including Responsible Recreation Stewardship and Enjoyment (RRSE). RRSE is based upon the aspiration that people are united by their connection to and enjoyment of nature and their obligation to protect it. Here are some of the key Master Plan strategies (in bold) and how they relate to the project (in italics): Assessing and managing increasing levels of visitation: Mt Sanitas is among the most popular destinations on OSMP, the proposed project is intended to improve the quality of visitors’ experience while creating more sustainable facilities. Reducing the Trail Maintenance backlog: The proposed project will use materials and techniques specifically designed to reduce the amount of time and money for annual maintenance in the Mt. Sanitas area. Support a range of passive recreation experiences: Part of the proposed project includes collaborating with our climbing partners to manage bouldering as a passive recreation activity along the Mt. Sanitas trail. Building new trails as guided by past and future plans: Move swiftly, using the direction of the 2011 West TSA Plan , to add to the OSMP trail system by constructing new trails and converting undesignated trails to be part of a sustainable trail system. Developing a learning laboratory approach to recreation: Use OSMP’s trail standards coupled with trail condition monitoring to assess the effectiveness of restoration, construction and trail maintenance practices. Stabilize Funding: Steadily generate funds through sales and use tax collections while strategically leveraging other revenue streams and local dollars to support OSMP’s capacity to deliver open space services. NEXT STEPS If approved by council, a copy of the executed Resolution will be provided to CPW thereby completing the city’s LWCF grant application and conferring eligibility for participation in the remainder of the review process. Final decisions will be made by the DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 5 governor-appointed CPW Commission during the first quarter of next year and funding from the National Park Service is anticipated to be available later in 2024. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A – Proposed Resolution 1340 Attachment B – Vicinity Map Attachment C – Site Map DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 6 RESOLUTION 1340 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A COLORADO DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE STATE TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF BOULDER OPEN SPACE AND MOUNTAIN PARKS DEPARTMENT TO FUND IMPROVEMENTS TO TRAILS IN THE VICINITY OF MOUNT SANITAS; AND SETTING FORTH RELATED DETAILS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, HEREBY FINDS AND RECITES THAT: A.City Council recognizes the health and conservation benefits of connecting residents and visitors to the natural world and encourages and supports projects that provide those benefits. B.From 2006-2011 the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department working with the community developed the West Trail Study Area Plan (WTSA) that calls for investments in the city’s trail system and related facilities including those in the vicinity of Mount Sanitas to improve the quality of the visitors’ experience, the sustainability of trails and condition of ecological systems. C.The Open Space Board of Trustees approved and recommended City Council’s approval of the WTSA Plan on February 25, 2011. On March 30, 2011, City Council unanimously approved the WTSA Plan. D.The city has the opportunity to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant in the amount of up to $1,250,000, administered by the Colorado State Recreational Trails Grant Program which is a partnership of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the National Park Service. E. This grant funding, if awarded, would help fund implementation of the WSTA Plan by taking the following actions identified in the plan: 1) Providing access by constructing and designating trails to Quarries 1, 2, and 3; 2) Constructing and designating a trail from Linden Drive and Fourth St to the Goat Trail; and 3) Clean up trails and restore historical views from the Mt. Sanitas summit. The funding would also 4) Mitigate the impacts from and better manage bouldering—a management priority consistent with the guidance in the WTSA plan added to OSMP’s work program after the plan’s completion. F. The grant application requires a resolution from the applicant’s governing body that specifies that the applicant will contribute at least half of all project costs, maintain the site and any facilities for their reasonable life expectancy and dedicate the land for public recreation in perpetuity. ATTACHEMENT A: Draft Resoultion DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 7 G.Article XII, Section 171(a) of the City of Boulder Charter authorizes the city to acquire, supervise, administer, preserve, and maintain all open space land. H.Article XII of the City of Boulder Charter limits the use of open space funds to certain purposes including open space and passive recreation and outlines a comprehensive and public disposal process prior to conveyance of any open space land interest. I.It has been the historic practice of the city to retain properties acquired as open space, and to approve a disposal of open space land only where the city could still maintain control of the land or where the property is found to no longer satisfy an open space purpose set forth in Article XII, Sec. 176 of the City of Boulder charter. NOW THEREFORE, BASED ON THE FINDINGS MADE IN THIS RESOLUTION, ABOVE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, THAT: 1.The City Council supports the application by the Open Space and Mountain Parks Department for federal grant funds provided by the Land and Water Conservation Fund administered by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and authorizes the city manager to apply for such grant. 2.If the Colorado State Recreational Trails Grant is awarded to the city, City Council supports completion of the project and long-term maintenance, recognizing that this support is subject to annual appropriation. 3.If the Colorado State Recreational Trails Grant is awarded to the city, City Council supports the dedication of the affected land to public recreation in perpetuity, recognizing that all open space acquisitions, management, and disposal are subject to the City of Boulder home rule Charter. ADOPTED this 19th day of October 2023. ____________________________________ Aaron Brockett, Mayor Attest: ______________________________ Elesha Johnson, City Clerk DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 8 BoulderBoulder LouisvilleLouisville Arapahoe Rd. U.S. 3 6Hwy. 119Hwy. 93N. Foothills Hwy.Hwy. 52 95th St.Monarch Rd. LafayetteLafayette GunbarrelGunbarrel Jefferson CountyBoulder County Jefferson CountyBroomfieldCountyBoulder CountyBroomfieldCounty61stValmont 63rdJay Rd. µProject AreaATTACHMENT B: Vicinity Map: Mount Sanitas Trail Projects 0 1 20.5 Miles User: Gersm1 Date: 08/28/2023 Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Planning\GRANTS\2023 LWCF\lwcf vICINITY.mxd ProjectArea City of Boulder OSMP Cities DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 9 6360 5880 6560 6520 64805720 5680 6240 6120 6320 5960 644056406040592062 4 0 6 0 8 0 6280 63 2 0 61 6 0692068806840 552054806760672066 8 0 6 6 4 0 6 4 4 0 6 2 8 06160 59205760556060 4 0 584 06680 608061606 0 8 0 5920 57 6 0 55 6 0 58 4 0 5720588061606120 6120 6 3 6 0 67606960648063606320 608056405720672064806360636 0 6 2 8 0 58806200 6000 6600 5800 560060006200 680064006800620064006 4 0 0 Pine St Iris Ave Dewey Ave Alpine Ave Balsam Ave Evergreen Ave Cedar Ave Dellwood Ave Forest Ave Maxwell Ave An e moneDrTi m ber L n BoulderViewLnT imb er TrailAld erL n Linden Ave Gr e e n R o c k Dr Hawthorn Ave SevenHillsDrS CedarBro ok Rd3rdStG r a niteDr5th St4th StS u n shineCanyo n D r Centennial Summit Area Improvements Construct: New Access Points and Trails Restore Social Trails Construct: Quarry Access Trail Restore Social Trails Bouldering Area Improvements Project Elements Conceptual Alignmnet Social Trails to Restore New Access Point Project Boundary Right of Ways Electric Transmission Line (75ft) Silver Lake Ditch (25ft) Managed by OSMP Hiking Trail Climbing Formations and Boulders Managed Trail Access Locations OSMP Trailhead with Designated Parking Access Point - Parking Along Public Streets Unless Otherwise Posted OSMP Lands OSMP Fee Ownership OSMP Easement 0 0.15 0.3 Miles Exported: 9/26/2023 3:09 PM The information depicted is provided as a graphical representation only. While source documents were developed in compliance with National Map Accuracy Standards, the City of Boulder provides no guarantee, express or implied, as to the accuracy and/or completeness of the information contained hereon. Esri Community Maps Contributors, UCB CAD/GIS Office, Boulder County, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA, Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, OSMP.org ATTACHMENT C: MOUNT SANITAS TRAIL PROJECTS Project Area 678 Acres DRAFTWritten Information - Item C - Page 10