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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/03/1997CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD AND PARKS & RECREATION BOARD JOINT MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 3,1997 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison - 221-6265 Marilyn Barnes, P&R Chair - 484-5823 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Jackie Rael, Staff Liaison - 221-6351 Board Members Present Natural Resources Advisory Board: Kelly Ohlson, Bill Miller, Phil Murphy, Randy Fischer, Phil Friedman, Ed Secor, and Jan Behunek Parks & Recreation Board: Diane Thies, Lance Freeman, Jessica MacMillan, Marilyn Barnes, Rebecca Chavez, and Paul Van Valkenburg Board Members Absent Natural Resources Advisory Board: Craig McGee and Don Rodriguez Parks & Recreation Board: Marvin Ness and Del Price Staff Present Natural Resources Department: Tom Shoemaker, Susie Gordon, Sally Maggart and Karen Manci Cultural Library and Recreational Services: Mike Powers, Jackie Rael, Virgil Taylor and Marty Heffernan City Manager's Office: Darin Atteberry The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. Guests William Terry, Citizen and Prairie Dog Policy Committee Member Bill Bertschy, Councilmember and Prairie Dog Policy Committee Member Agenda Review and Items of Note Phil Murphy noted that the goal of the joint meeting is to make a recommendation to Council on the prairie dog policy. Joint Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board December 3, 1997 Page 2 Citizen Participation (limited to 20 minutes) None Discussion and Recommendation: Prairie Dog Policy for Natural Areas: Phil Murphy, Chairperson, Natural Resources Advisory Board Phil Murphy said that the committee, composed of representatives from the Division of Wildlife, CSU experts, concerned citizens, landowners and boardmembers, was formed as a result of last summer's prairie dog finnigation. He noted that the committee met four times and held an open house, resulting in the creation of a priority system for dealing with prairie dogs in natural areas. Murphy said that the committee discussed the use of barriers, relocation and fumigation methods. He added that the committee felt that barriers are not the end-all answer, and the problem with relocation is that there is a lack of scientific information on the impact and survival of relocated animals. Murphy said that the committee recommended finnigation as the last resort, yet recognized that it is going to happen in certain areas. He added that education is a big component of the policy, and the public needs to be aware that prairie dogs are an important part of the ecosystem and the life cycle in the prairie. William Terry, citizen, said that he had worked in the relocation effort last summer, and does not believe in extermination. He said that he felt that the committee did a good job of addressing the issues. Terry suggested that part of the material under FU-1 would be more applicable to describing barriers. Randy Fischer, NRAB, said that he thought it is a mistake to limit the policy to the natural areas. He added that the fumigation statement is not enough of a last resort statement. Fischer said that he does not believe in extermination of prairie dogs on City property. He noted that there is a conflict in the relocation section, RE-5, regarding the time frames for relocation and fumigation. Phil Friedman, NRAB, agreed that the times are confusing and contradictory. He said that he would like to see RE-5 and FU-2 rewritten to eliminate contradictory statements. Ed Secor, NRAB, noted that there is not as much conflict as it appears. He said that more careful wording would help. Secor said that there is not a clear delineation in the management strategies. Bill Miller, NRAB, noted that this is policy, not management strategy. He suggested that management should be left up to the individual management plans for the natural areas, and staff be given the leeway for managing those areas. Lance Freeman, P& R, said that the relocation issue is complex, and the number of relocation sites and availability is limited. He noted that the mortality rate in relocation can be up to 60-70 percent. Joint Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board December 3, 1997 Page 3 Bill Miller, NRAB, noted that there is the public treasury to be concerned about. He suggested using relocation funds toward preserving habitat. Miller noted that a permitting process is required for relocation and it is not followed to the letter every time. Phil Friedman, NRAB, said that barriers and natural predation would be the only way to deal humanely with the critters.. He added that it is unfortunate that, while erring on the side of preserving the population and habitat, some prairie dogs have to be sacrificed. Phil Murphy, NRAB, asked for clarification on processing the policy. Darin Atteberry, Assistant City Manager, said that formal Council action will be needed. Bill Bertschy, Councilmember, noted that the philosophy statement can be included in the policy, but the background information is not part of the philosophy. Karen Manci, Environmental Planner, explained that the best time for relocation is late summer, after the young have moved out. She said that relocation cannot occur in the winter. Phil Friedman, NRAB, suggested focusing the relocation and/or fumigation and creating barriers in the center of the colony to control the movement of the younger animals to the periphery where human conflict occurs. Manci responded that the prairie dogs living in the center of the colony are the older established adults that control the density and help the health of the prairie by killing off some of the pups. She added that disturbing the center of the colony would disrupt the social system. Councilmember Bertschy suggested enumerating the partnering for research in the policy philosophy statement so staff can work with other entities looking at alternatives for control methods. Manci said that working with other agencies can be added. Tom Shoemaker, Natural Resources Department Director, noted that this policy will become a subset and expansion of the Natural Areas Policy Plan that does identify working with other entities. Terry suggested adding to the education section that the community will need to support and work with the City in the research effort. Kelly Ohlson, NRAB, asked why the policy is restricted within the Urban Growth Area, as stated on Page 11, LP-1. Attebeny responded that it was a perceived limitation, and the attorneys will be reviewing the policy. Bill Miller, NRAB, suggested the addition of "in the Fort Collins vicinity". Ohlson said that he thinks the message being sent to the public that there is always another place to put the critters is not biologically sound. He said that he favors extermination over relocation. Ohlson said that the City has to have consistent policies. Murphy emphasized that this policy is for natural areas only. He said that the prairie dog policy on other City property is for total removal. Joint Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board December 3, 1997 Page 4 Mike Powers, Cultural Library and Recreational Services Director, asked what Council would like from the boards. Councilmember Bertschy responded that Council would like official action from the boards, either jointly or individually. He requested an exhibit be prepared for the study session near the end of January to update Council prior to taking formal action. Phil Murphy clarified that the policy is scheduled to go to Council February 3. He said that he would like the boards to see the amended draft before making a recommendation. Murphy said that the NRAB could review it at their January 7 meeting. Jackie Rael, staff liaison for the P&R Board, noted that the P&R Board's next meeting is January 28. Marilyn Barnes, P&R Board Chair, said that she does not want another joint meeting. She asked when the changes would be available. Murphy said that they would be available by January 7. Shoemaker suggested that it would be simpler to delay the Council date to February 17. Diane Thies, P&R, said that she has heard conflicting information on the changes and asked what changes are going to be made. Murphy responded that one specific change would be the fumigation dates. He said that his recommendation would be that the committee would have to reform for major changes. It was decided that the two boards would review the amended draft and respond individually to Council. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.