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Home My WebLink About2023 - Land Conservation And Stewardship Board - Annual Report Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report Members: Ross Cunniff, Chair Elena Lopez Scott Mason, Vice-Chair River Mizell Denise Culver Mark Sears Andrea Elson Joe Piesman Holger Kley Cole Kramer (resigned March 2023) 202 3 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1 The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board (LCSB) is pleased to present the 2023 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 January 11, 2023: The Land Conservation and Stewardship Boards recommends utilizing the broader range of 1041 regulatory measures available to local governments under C.R.C. § 24-65.1-101 et seq. and the City’s Home Rule status to strengthen the regulatory authority and commitment of the City of Fort Collins to protect public health, safety, and welfare, the environment and wildlife resources within our city boundaries. (The memo included eight (8) specific items of concern with recommendations to Council.) April 12, 2023: The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommends that City Council designate the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area as an area of statewide interest, with respect to 1041 regulations consistent with Colorado Revised Statutes 24-65.1. April 12, 2023: The Land Conservation and Stewardship Boards recommends utilizing the broader range of 1041 regulatory measures available to local governments under C.R.C. § 24-65.1-101 et seq. and the City’s Home Rule status to strengthen the regulatory authority and commitment of the City of Fort Collins to protect public health, safety, and welfare, the environment and wildlife resources within our city boundaries. (The memo included eight (8) specific items of concern with recommendations to Council.) July 12, 2023: The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommends that a large portion of the former Hughes parcel should be conserved as a Fort Collins Natural Area, integrated into the Maxwell Natural Area; Restoration costs should not be a determining factor in conservation decisions regarding the Hughes parcel; Any uses on the non-conserved portion of the Hughes parcel must be low-intensity and compatible with both the character of the adjoining conserved Natural Areas as well as the legislative intent of the April 2021 ballot initiative. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL The LCSB recommends City Council approve the following items: Recommend City Council approve the Water Quality Management Policy for City urban lakes and stormwater basins in the Growth Management Area and to fully fund all of the proposed management actions that are recommended in the policy. Recommends that City pursue the incorporation of the Spring Canon Waste Way Ditch, including conveying the city's interest in the ditch and water rights in exchange for shares in the ditch company. Recommends City Council designate the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area as an area of statewide interest, with respect to 1041 Regulations consistent with Colorado Revised Statutes 24- 65.1. Recommends City Council approve the proposed 2023 Appropriation of Prior Year Natural Areas Department reserves. Recommends City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Heaven’s Door Ranch Conservation Project with Larimer County and the City of Loveland. (The amendment extended the deadline for conveyance of the conservation easement.) Recommends that City Council approve the granting of a permanent sewer line easement to South Fort Collins Sanitation District across Longview Farm Open Space in order to document an existing sewer line. PRESENTATIONS BY GUESTS AND NATURAL AREAS DEPARTMENT (NAD) STAFF Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities, made a presentation on the City’s Draft Water Quality Management Policy and Guidance for City-owned urban lakes within the Growth Management Area. Matt Parker, Senior Supervisor Resource Management, shared a brief background of the Spring Canon Waste Way Ditch and the rationale for incorporation. Bernadette Kuhn, Senior Environmental Planner, provided an update of the in Poudre River in- stream flow project located at the Environmental Learning Center. Kate Rentschlar, Environmental Planner, shared the progress to date of the Poudre River Zone update. Rachel Steeves, Environmental Planner, presented on the initial phase of the Urban Zone update including timeline and public engagement. Barb Brock, Financial Analyst II briefed the Board on the unspent prior year funds and unanticipated revenues to be re-appropriated into the 2023 budget. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3 The Board engaged in discussion of the proposed Draft 1041 regulations. The Board engaged in several discussions of the Hughes site and how best to effectively communicate their recommendations to Council. The Poudre Heritage Alliance provided an overview of their organization including mission, goals and programming that connect the community to the Poudre River corridor. Julia Feder, Environmental Planning Manager, and Zach Wiebe, Planning and Natural Resources Specialist, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources briefed the LCSB on the Natural Resources zoning designation adopted by Larimer County in 2021 and how it might be used by the NAD. Tawnya Ernst, Land Conservation Lead Specialist provided a brief background and explained the need for formal documentation of the underground powerline and trail on the Coterie Natural Area that existed prior to acquisition by the NAD in 2000. Kirk Longstein, Sr. Environmental Planner, Community Development & Neighborhood Services, shared an update on the newly adopted oil and gas regulations. Matt Parker, Resource Management Sr. Supervisor, provided an update on the West Nile Virus program including background, data collection and mitigation. Bernadette Kuhn, Senior Environmental Planner, shared a presentation on the Poudre Flows Plan which is designed to address inadequate flows and dry-up points that are harmful to the health of the Poudre River. Tawnya Ernst, Land Conservation Lead Specialist, gave a presentation on Conservation Easements on city-owned properties and the C.E.s held by the NAD. Crystal Strouse, Botanist, gave a presentation covering 30 years of botany on the City’s Natural Areas including restoration, conservation, education. Katie Donahue, Director, provided an overview of the NAD’s funding sources, the Budgeting For Outcomes process, and department expenditures. Katie Donahue, Director, shared a brief review of the City’s budgeting process and Strategic Outcomes. She invited input from the LCSB on the seven outcome areas to be shared with the Budget office. Alynn Karnes, NAD Land Conservation Specialist, reminded the LCSB of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Larimer County and the City of Loveland for the Heaven’s Door Ranch Conservation Project and the need to extend the deadline for the conveyance of the conservation easement. Kristy Bruce, Environmental Planner, presented a high-level overview of the NAD Strategic Framework process, including public engagement, and timeline. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 4 Aran Meyer, Wildlife Ecologist, shared a presentation highlighting the NAD’s wildlife monitoring efforts and management decisions are guided by the monitoring data. Rachel Steeves, Environmental Planner, provided an update on the Urban Zone People and Conservation Priorities feedback received to date. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Ohlson led the LCSB in welcoming new members Holger Kley and Scott Mason to the Board. Cole Kramer resigned from the Board in March 2023. Ross Cunniff was appointed to serve as the Chair of the LCSB. Scott Mason was appointed to serve as Vice-Chair of the LCSB. Scott Mason agreed to serve on the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) Chair Cunniff welcomed new members River Mizell and Mark Sears. The Board gathered in April for a retreat. Topics of focus were prioritizing their 2023 Work Plan, establishing guiding values, Oil and Gas regulations, evaluating their impact on Council decisions, and how to be an effective advisory board. LCSB members toured the Hughes site prior to their regular meeting on June 14th. LCSB members joined Larimer County Department of Natural Resources staff to tour Heaven’s Door Ranch. Scott Mason provided updates from the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC): • Summary of the Spin Annual Report • Highlights from Active Modes Infrastructure Plan • Combined meeting with Transportation Board including the Transportation Demand Management Master Plan • North Metropolitan Planning Organization’s update on the Regional Transportation Plan • The City hosted the Dutch Thinkbike Workshop • The BAC submitted a memorandum to the Transportation Board recommending the City invest in bike infrastructure (trails, skill areas, etc.) • The ad hoc committee on Boards and Commissions is recommending the BAC transition into a stand-alone advisory Active Modes board. • Received a presentation on the 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Plan • Bicycle Colorado updated the BAC on the automated speed enforcement camera legislation Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 5 Several department staff attended the annual Poudre River Forum and connected with partners both upstream and downstream of the City. NAD participated in the City-wide Equity meeting with the Native American Community and participated in government-to-government tribal consultation regarding projects at Fossil Creek Wetlands, Arapaho Bend and Soapstone Prairie. NAD is a member of a City-wide team evaluating ADA upgrades, fixes and compliance. Several NAD staff participated in a two-day ADA training. The NAD received to Blue Grama awards at this year’s Colorado the Open Space Alliance annual conference. The NAD was featured in a CBS News, Denver series on conservation agriculture work in partnership with the Poudre Valley Community Farms. The conservation easement assessment for Meadow Springs Ranch has been completed and staff is working with Utilities and a conservation partner to explore the best approach to acquiring a conservation easement on the property. Soapstone Prairie Natural Area was rezoned NR under Larimer County’s new zoning designation adding an additional buffer against oil and gas extraction and development. Katie Donahue, Director, provided ongoing updates on department staffing: • Todd Juhasz was selected as the new Environmental Planner • Rhonda Peckham served as Interim Ranger Sr. Supervisor for several months prior to being selected to permanently assume the role • Ranger vacancies have been filled by Kara Jacob, Tyler Dubin and Zach Whalen • The two Lead Ranger positions were filled internally by Kara Jacob and Jesse Green • Rachel Balduzzi was hired as the Sr. Supervisor for Public Engagement while Sam Troi and Ludy Rueda were hired as Public Engagement Specialists • Becky Pomering was hired as the Sr. Supervisor for Trails and Visitor Amenities • The two Trails and Visitor Amenities Technician I positions were filled by Mason Mizener and Lee Lily COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Ray Watts spoke before the LCSB regarding 1041 regulations and the two types of designations, He proposed that Council designate the Cache la Poudre National Heritage Area as an area of statewide interest. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board 2023 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 6 LAND CONSERVATION The Natural Areas Department reported a total of 309 conserved acres year-to-date with a total land conservation portfolio at the conclusion of 2023 of 71,512 acres. Please note that this acreage does not include the Hughes Stadium property: NAD provided $2 million toward the initial purchase but NAD’s total financial contribution and acreage will be determined based on a final use plan. Budgeted land conservation funds for 2023 were $14,400,000, with a total of $7,522,200 expended. Funds remaining for 2023 are $6,877,800