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Home My WebLink About2021 - Land Conservation And Stewardship Board - Annual Report Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2021 Annual Report January 12, 2022 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1 The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board (LCSB) is pleased to present the 2021 Annual Report to the Mayor and City Council. It has been a pleasure to fulfill our responsibilities as advisors to City Council on issues related to natural areas. Memos to City Council 1/13/2021 Reimagining Boards and Commissions – recommendations for expediting LCSB appointments. 1/21/2021 Oil and Gas Regulations – recommending stronger Larimer County regulations as proposed rules lack adequate protection of habitat and viewsheds. 2/10/2021 Lighting Code Revisions‐ supporting the reduction of ambient light levels and protecting habitat in Natural Areas. 3/16/2021 1041 Powers‐ recommending City staff to develop language that would activate 1041 powers as allowed by Colorado Law and Regulations particularly in those parts of the Fort Collins Land Use Code that provide protections for our natural areas. 7/14/2021 Reimagining Boards and Commissions ‐ recommending maintaining LCSB memberships and experience. 8/11/2021 Oil and Gas Regulations‐ recommending protection for natural areas. 11/10/2021 Hughes Stadium Property – recommending limited use of Natural Area funds for Hughes land purchase. Recommendations ‐The LCSB recommended that City Council/City Manager approve the following items: Recommending that City Council approve the proposed 2021 appropriation of prior year natural areas reserves. Recommending that the City Manager approve acceptance of the Robert Benson Lateral Ditch Easement across the Goodwin Knight, LLC property. Recommending City Council approve the appropriation of $75,000 from the Pulliam Charitable Trust to be used for fire recovery efforts at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Recommending that City Council approve the proposed appropriation of $1,388,00 in unanticipated Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2021 Annual Report 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 revenues and prior year Natural Area reserves, for the remediation of hazardous material at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Recommending that City Council not update the City Code to allow e‐bikes or e‐scooters on natural areas. The motion failed for lack of a second. Recommending that City Council approve a Restrictive Notice on Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area. Presentations by staff and others: Zoe Shark, Interim Natural Areas Director shared the Club Outdoors Year End Summary. Kelly Smith and Kraig Bader from Development Review presented the proposed new lighting code. Jennifer Shanahan, Natural Areas Watershed Planner, provided an update on the status for all NISP permitting tracks and recent events pertaining to the 1041 permit from Larimer County. Zoe Shark, Interim Natural Areas Director, announced a $75,000 grant from the Pulliam Charitable Trust designated for Cameron Peak Fire recovery efforts at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Dave Myers, Natural Areas Land Conservation Manager, provided an update on the Landfill IGA and potential easement on Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area. Matt Parker, Natural Areas Resource Management Manager hosted a panel discussion on grassland management. Cameron Gloss, City Planning Manager, presented the evaluation system for Residential Metropolitan District Service Plans. Julia Feder, Natural Areas Environmental Program Manager, announced grant projects and awardees for Nature in the City grants. Jennifer Roberts, Natural Areas Environmental Planner, provided an update on the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area post‐fire restoration and recovery. Matt Parker, Natural Areas Resource Management Manager, presented on the Pryor and Robbins parcels of Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area proposed ecological restoration and use of those lands potentially to support grazing operations. Aran Meyer, Natural Areas Wildlife Ecologist, provided an annual update on prairie dog management. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2021 Annual Report 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3 Mark Sears, Natural Areas Manager, provided an overview of the proposed Natural Areas Department’s reappropriations for 2021. Zoe Shark, Natural Areas Interim Director reported to the Board on the 2022 budget and Budgeting for Outcomes City Council approval process and timeline Julia Feder, Natural Areas Environmental Program Manager, provided a discussion on Oil and Gas and Larimer County Land Use Code. Julia Feder, Rachel Steeves and Kate Rentschlar, Natural Areas Planning staff provided a five‐year progress report on Nature in the City. Laura Fritz, Natural Areas Public Engagement Specialist, presented the Natural Areas Department equity and inclusion efforts and plan as it supports the mission to conserve valued lands. Heidi Wagner, Natural Areas Senior Environmental Planner presented on NAD’s efforts to address the increased visitor use at Gateway Natural Area. Dave Myers, Natural Areas Land Conservation Manager presented on conservation easements in natural areas and how the Department will prioritize those properties. Raymond Watts, LCSB Chair, provided an update on NISP and Save the Poudre’s letter to the City Manager regarding SPAR process in the city code. Brandon Poole, Natural Areas Technician II and AJ Chlebnik, Public Engagement Specialist provided an overview of ADA accessibility in the natural areas. Seve Ghose, the newly hired Community Services Director attended and was welcomed by the LCSB. Raymond Watts, LCSB Chair updated the Board on oil and gas regulations as it relates to provisions to protect natural areas. Rick Bachand, Ranger Program Manager, Ryan Kogut, Trails and Visitor Amenities Supervisor and Zoe Shark, Interim Natural Areas Director presented on visitor‐use in natural areas. Zoe Shark, Interim Natural Areas Director, offered Board members the opportunity to attend the Colorado Open Space Alliance Annual Conference. Richard Thorpe, City of Fort Collins Utilities, updated the Board on the development of the City’s Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Guidance and Policy. Cassie Archuleta, Environmental Sustainability Manager, provided an update on oil and gas Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2021 Annual Report 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 4 regulations as it relates to Land Use Code changes. Kelly Smith, City Senior Environmental Planner, provided an update on City Council’s adoption of the 1041 process. Amanda Mansfield, Transportation Planner with FC Moves, provided an update on the City’s e‐bike policy. Zoe Shark, NAD Interim Director, announced that all Natural Areas budget offers were funded. The Board was informed that Bobcat Ridge is due to open September 18. The Board had the opportunity to see the Natural Areas Department Resource Management staff and hear an overview of their experience and qualifications. Seve Ghose, Community Services Director, provided an update on the NAD Director hire process. Cortney Geary, Active Modes Manager with FC Moves, summarized the draft Active Modes Plan. Dave Myers, Land Conservation Manager, reported a Notice of Alignment that will be submitted for City Council review for Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Miscellaneous The LCSB approved the LCSB 2020 Annual Report and the LCSB 2021 Work Plan The LCSB approved nomination for Raymond Watts as LCSB Chair and Andrea Elson as Vice Chair Elena Lopez was appointed to serve on the LCSB Mike Weber acted as the Bicycle Advisory Committee Liaison Alycia Crall agreed to participate in the Nature in the City grant cycle as an application reviewer Land Conservation Natural Areas Department reported a total of 207 total conserved acres year to date with a total land conservation portfolio at the conclusion of 2021 of 55,304 acres. Budgeted funds for 2021 were $8,213,875, with a total of $3,295,302 expended. Funds remaining for 2021 are $4,918,573. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2021 Annual Report 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 5 Land Acquisitions Dry Creek 1.6 acres Cooper Slough 24 acres Dry Creek 9 acres Crossline Canyons 155 acres Poudre River Corridor CE 17.4 acres Total conserved: 207 acres Total Cost: $3,295,302 Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Members Raymond Watts, Chair Andrea Elson, Vice Chair Kelly Ohlson Mike Weber Joseph Piesman Vicky McLane David Tweedale Alycia Crall Cole Kramer Elena Lopez