notes for K. Beitel presentation at public hearing, Feb 22, 2024From:Ken Beitel
To:OSBT
Subject:notes for K. Beitel presentation at public hearing, Feb 22, 2024
Date:Thursday, February 22, 2024 4:38:02 PM
Attachments:proposed Meadowlark Open Space @ CU South.pdf
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Hon Open Space Board of Trustees,
Thank you for your dedication and service.
I am looking forward to speaking with you tonight.
Please find attached a pdf of the proposed Meadowlark Open Space at CU South.
The second last slide is one of a majestic elk grazing in the area to be disposed of.
I hope you may be able to take a quick look at wetlands habitat in this photo with US 36
also present.
Tonight you will face extraordinary pressure from City Council to approve the disposal of
Boulder Open Space
City Council claims this is required to provide for public safety.
Voting Yes to Protect Boulder Open Space tonight will:
1) increases the likelihood of 500 year flood protection and maximize public safety
2) significantly reduces the cost to the taxpayer potentially from $100 million to $30 million
and
3) allow the Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees to fulfil your sacred trust of safeguarding
the environment while simultaneously increasing public safety.
Choice 1 - Yes to Disposal of Open Space
Public Safety: 100 year flood protection - considered to be ineffective and inadequate.
Cost: $100m
Concern: Flood mitigation measures are limited by CU and City Council pressure to
maximize buildable land.
Time to Build:
Lengthy
National public controversy and Federal Endangered Species lawsuits could delay
construction for many years
End level of 100 year flood protection will be weak and ineffective
Ability to upgrade to 500 year flood protection at some point in the future is considered
unlikely due to massive costs.
Choice 2 - Yes to Protection of Open Space - No to Disposal
Public Safety: 500 year flood protection. This achieves the goal of providing powerful public
safety to Boulder residents.
Potential Outcome: Three years ago Mayor Sam Weaver proposed a CU North land swap
that would allow 500 year flood protection for Boulder residents.
The area proposed for the CU South Campus would be restorative wetlands with modest flood
mitigation constructs estimated to cost $30 million.
Essentially, for 1/3 of the cost, 100 year flood protection will become 500 year
flood protection.
Endangered Species habitat area will be increased.
Time to Build:
Medium
Details of CU North land swap will need to be worked out
Correspondence from CU to City Council dated May 20, 2019 indicates CU will only
support flood control options that facilitate a high percentage of buildable land
The reward of 500 year flood control and environmental protection makes
potential short term delay well worth the long term public safety benefits.
---
In closing, the need to dispose of Boulder Open Space to achieve public safety is a false one.
Public safety is best achieved through 500 year flood control measures based on
restorative wetlands that also safeguard the environment.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,
Ken
Ken Beitel
Chair of Wilderness Conservation
The proposed Meadowlark Open Space
Boulder, Colorado
m. 720 436 2465
e. southbouldersongbirdopenspace@gmail.com
the proposed
Meadowlark
Open Space
@ CU South
PROPOSED MEADOWLARK OPEN SPACE
PREBLE'S JUMPING MOUSE
UTES LADIES TRESSES ORCHID
NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG
PHOTO CREDIT: BARB HOUSTON
Area of Disposal: State Natural Area
Aug 16 -2019