Disposal of Open Space Land for Flood Control Dam_ CommentsFrom:Betsy Neely
To:Council; OSBT-Web
Cc:Betsy Neely
Subject:Disposal of Open Space Land for Flood Control Dam: Comments
Date:Monday, February 26, 2024 8:30:56 PM
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Greetings Boulder City Council and Open Space Board of Trustees:
I watched the Feb. 22, 2024, Boulder City Council and Open Space Board of
Trustees meeting on the proposed disposal of Open Space land at CU South for
a flood control wall and spillway. I am writing to you today to express my
concerns regarding impacts of the proposed project on the significant ecological
and open space values.
The City of Boulder purchased and protected parcels in this area because of
their outstanding open space and significant ecological values. These parcels --
the Colorado Tallgrass Prairie and South Boulder Creek -- were designated as
Colorado State Natural Areas “to preserve some of the finest examples of
Colorado’s original and unique landscapes for the benefit of present and future
generations.” South Boulder Creek Floodplain was designated for its wetlands
and rare species; the Colorado Tallgrass Prairie contains the largest known xeric
and mesic tallgrass prairie in Colorado.
These natural areas lie within the larger South Boulder Creek Potential
Conservation Area (PCA), ranked as Very High Biodiversity Significance (nearly
irreplaceable) by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, CSU. The biodiversity
ranking of this area is based on an excellent to good occurrence of the globally
imperiled Ute ladies’ tresses orchid, good occurrences of the globally imperiled
xeric tall grass prairie, globally imperiled mesic tallgrass prairie and globally
vulnerable prairie slough grass. In addition, the site supports two Federally
Threatened species: the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid and Preble’s Jumping Mouse.
The Ute ladies’ tresses orchid and the Preble’s Jumping Mouse were listed by
the US Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act because
they are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout or a
significant portion of their range. One issue of concern to me is that scientists
have not yet been able to successfully transplant the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid;
so how can we then justify filling the mesic habitat of this threatened species?
Other species of concern include the Northern Leopard Frog, a declining
amphibian that is ranked as a Tier 1 Colorado Species of Greatest Conservation
Need (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), an eastern relict, American groundnut, and
Fork-tip three-awn.
In addition to the species of special concern, the South Boulder Creek PCA
provides important habitat for a diversity of common plant communities, plants,
birds and animal species. Many bird species, including the Northern Harrier,
inhabit the mesic grasslands. Management for these outstanding natural
resources should be our highest priority. In summary, the South Boulder Creek
conservation area is an ecologically important site that should be protected for
future generations.
Any impacts to the Open Space properties and especially those areas
designated as Colorado State Natural Areas should be excluded from the flood
mitigation project and development. For the reasons stated above, disposal of
these significant acres is simply not acceptable. I am particularly concerned that
a larger area (than what is being requested for disposal) will be impacted during
the construction of project. How will you address this? At the very least, the
OSBT, should only approve disposal after the permits are in place.
I am deeply concerned that Boulder, through this flood mitigation project, is
enabling the University of Colorado to build a third campus on the site.
Significant issues of concern include increased traffic congestion, obstructed
views, impacts to plants, animals and the ecosystem, and diminishing water
supplies. Boulder simply cannot sustain this kind of growth, particularly in the
face of our rapidly changing climate. The traffic bottleneck coming into Boulder
on Hwy 36 is already a nightmare. I find it incomprehensible that CU, with some
of the best-known researchers, ecologists and climate scientists in the country,
rejected a 500-year flood mitigation design because of costs and infringement on
CU’s developable land. What about the sage advice of the distinguished CU
Professor Gilbert White and his panel of international experts, e.g., prepare for
500-year floods, good early warning system, evacuation planning, and
education?
My family has lived in Boulder for over 35 years and we have greatly enjoyed
exploring our wonderful open spaces. I treasure the trails, wide-open spaces and
views of South Boulder Creek, the natural plant communities and species
inhabiting the floodplain, e.g., the relict tallgrass prairie grasslands. But Boulder
is rapidly losing many of its wonderful aspects as we sacrifice our most valued
assets -- our open spaces and natural areas. Once gone, they are gone forever.
I urge you not to approve the disposal of the Open Space lands for the flood
mitigation project spillway and wall. Open Space, especially Open Space with
such high biodiversity significance, was not intended for this type of engineered
flood mitigation.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
Betsy Neely
2941 20th Street
Boulder, CO 80304
betsyneely6@gmail.com
303-881-4144