Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/05/1987MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST 5, 1987 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Dave DuBois Rich Fisher Denise LaRue Board Members Absent: (excused) Bill Fischer Tim Johnson Staff Present: Roger Krempel Brian Woodruff Ari Michelsen Bob Sanz Deborah Shimkus Pat Reed Bob Wilkinson Edith Felchle Approval of Minutes The July Minutes showed DuBois's absence as unexcused. He explained that he was out of town and was unable to call to advise that he would be absent. The July Minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee reports Copies of the following committee reports were handed out and are attached to these Minutes: Land Use 5 Wildlife, Recycling, Education and Information, Mitigation, Water. MITIGATION COMMITTEE: Sanz explained that no goals had been set up for this committee. He felt a major goal for the coming year should be to help staff's Wildlife Management Plan achieve Council approval. He stated that Wilkinson's work on the Plan was excellent. There was some discussion as to whether the Mitigation Committee should remain in existence. Sanz' response was that it should, because development will continue; therefore the committee needs to function to advise on aspects of mitigation as development occurs. LAND USE/WILDLIFE COMMITTER: Bassinger reviewed the committee's major accomplishments: Picnic Rock and review of the Wildlife Management Plan as it progressed through various stages. She stated that the committee's short term goal should be to, along with the Mitigation Committee, help staff's Wildlife Management Plan achieve Council approval. She suggested that most issues were more land use oriented than wildlife oriented and that the committee name should probably be simply Land Use. Wildlife issues specifically could be dealt with by an ad hoc committee. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION COMMITTEE and RECYCLING COMMITTEE: LaRue referred attendees to the accomplishments stated in the reports. She stated that she felt the committees could have done more with the City recycling program. The woodburning issue and the oxygenated fuels issue were cited as areas where the Education Committee could become more active. Relative to the Recycling Committee, there was discussion about what the City is doing regarding solid waste management, landfill operations, and composting. It was felt the Recycling Committee could address these issue. WATER COMMITTEE: Michelsen highlighted the committee's goals and how those goals had been addressed during the course of the year. He expressed strong support for the National Recreation Area Study. There was some discussion about the water quality issues at City Park Lake. AIR QUALITY COMMITTEE: In Johnson's absence, LaRue cited the woodburning issue as a major accomplishment of that committee during the past year. Election of Officers LaRue was asked if she would like to serve another year. She said she would prefer not to because she would like to see other members have the experience of serving as chair and she felt it would also infuse new energy into the board as the position of chair was passed to other members. Michelsen was unanimously elected to the position of chair and Johnson to the position of vice chair for the coming year. A motion of commendation for LaRue stated that she had done an excellent job as chair during the past two years and that a good deal of what the board is today can be credited to her. Committee Structure and Personnel Determination It was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that the following committee structure changes be made: The Recycling Committee will become the Recycling/Solid Waste Committee. The Land Use/Wildlife Committee will be simply the Land Use Committee. It was noted that this does not minimize the board's recognition of the importance of wildlife. Wildlife issues, when they arise, will be dealt with by an ad hoc committee. The Goals Committee was deleted. Instead the new chair and vice chair, and anyone else from the board they wish to have serve, will annually review the board's goals. The Bylaws Committee was deleted. Instead, a person will be appointed to monitor the board's bylaws. Bill Fischer was appointed for the coming year. The new committee personnel changes are as follows: Land Use Committee -- Bassinger will remain on the committee but does not want to retain the position of chair. Shimkus was added to this committee. Legislative Review -- Shimkus was added to this committee, LaRue was deleted. Mitigation -- No change. Education -- Shimkus was added to this committee. Water -- Rich Fisher was added to this committee. Hazardous Materials -- no change. Recycling/Solid Waste -- Sanz was added to this committee. Air Quality -- Rich Fisher was added to this committee. The current chair of each committee was directed to call a meeting of their committees to determine the chair for the coming year. Wildlife Management Plan Wilkinson gave a brief background of the development of the Wildlife Management Plan and described the basics of the ways various aspects of the plan were chosen. He showed mapping which defines the areas of conservation, mitigation, and low concern. Staff will be going to Council with the plan on September 8 at an information review session. Other City departments are currently reviewing the draft document and providing feed -back to DNR staff. Wilkinson stated that staff would very much like to have a representative from the board at the September 8 meeting. It was decided the Land Use and the Mitigation committees will meet to review the document, develop a statement of support from the board, and appoint a representative to attend the September 8 meeting. Curbside Recycling Program Krempel briefly reported that the program is very successful. Because of the lateness of the hour, he will give a more detailed report at the September meeting. Update on woodburning presentation to Council Woodruff reported that the presentation went very well. Council greatly appreciated having a representative from the board at the meeting. As a result of Council's response to the presentation, City administration has increased DNR budget $75,000 to cover aspects of the woodburning plan. The three ordinances referred to in the plan will be written by Woodruff within the next couple of months. New Lead Air Quality Agency Woodruff reported that a new item for the board's consideration is the need to replace the air quality functions which were carried out by the Larimer/Weld Council of Governments. He reported that unless some action is taken otherwise, the new lead agency will probably be the Regional Transportation Organization. Staff would prefer to see an agency similar to the Metro Air Quality Council. Krempel suggested the City consider a Regional Air Quality Council similar to the Fort Collins regional water quality group presently being formed. It was decided Woodruff will meet with the Air Quality Committee to establish some direction on this matter. This board could then make a recommendation at its September 2 meeting. DuBois has been involved in the establishment of a water quality agency to replace the COG, so he will meet with the Air Quality Committee to provide background on the development of the water quality agency. Oxygenated Fuels There was a great deal of concern among board members about the current issue of oxygenated fuels and the misinformation appearing in the press. After considerable discussion it was moved and seconded, and unanimously passed that the board take the following stand: After review of the current oxygenated fuels issues, the board finds the state's oxygenated fuels program, scheduled to take effect January 1, 1988, to be the best available method of dealing with air quality problems along the front range. The board lends its full support to the program and is pleased that the City has already decided to use oxygenated fuels for its fleet operations. Natural Resources Day Camp Felchle briefly reported on the day camp, referring to the report which had been mailed out and citing examples of the camp's effectiveness, saying that the immediate response from the children, applying what they had learned, was quite gratifying. Picnic Rock Sanz reported that he had not been able to arrange an event for August. The board was still interested, so he will arrange something for September. Announcements LaRue announced that the July issue of Colorado Outdoors contains an excellent fishing article written by Bob Sanz. Shimkus gave a brief overview of the upcoming 4th World Wilderness Congress. Krempel announced that DNR will have an exhibit at the Congress. Krempel brought to the board's attention a letter which had been written to the City Council. The writer was concerned because protection of natural resources and environment appeared in the July City News as a moderate priority. The writer felt it should have an equal priority with improving economic health of Fort Collins. LaRue explained, as she had done at the July meeting, that the Mayor had explained that the monitoring of natural resources had received a "moderate" priority rating because these issues are already being taken care of. Issues on which work needs to be initiated receive a "high" priority rating. The meeting adjourned at 10:15. M E M O R A N D U M DATE: August 1, 1987 TO : Natural Resources Advisory Board FROM: Robert Sanz RE : Mitigation Committee Report The Mitigation Committee did not have a specific set of goals as presented for other Natural Resources Advisory Board Committees in the Goal Statements Memorandum dated July 23, 1986. In essence, the Mitigation Committee may be considered a sub group of the larger and more widely -oriented Land Use and Wildlife Committee. As we see it, the primary emphasis of the Mitigation Committee is to encourage appropriate mitigation for natural resources disturbed or lost to City -sponsored or City -permitted developments. To this end, during the past twelve months, we have participated in the Fort Collins Natural Resource Awareness and Environmental Protection Symposium and encouraged the development of a comprehensive Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. The Symposium was very well received by both the environmental and development communities and represents a positive step in bringing these groups together to formulate constructive solutions to the issue of incorporating natural resource protection in urban developments. The Draft Wildlife Habitat Management Plan prepared by the Natural Resources Division has been prepared and is currently being reviewed. Overall, it is a thorough and well -thought-out approach to gathering up the bits and pieces of wildlife habitat and natural resource protection goals found in elements of the City's Comprehensive Plan and structuring development approvals to encourage implementation of these goals. The Mitigation Committee looks forward to providing detailed review of the Plan and seeing it through to adoption and implementation. LAND USE & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: SUZANNE BASSINGER (CHAIR) PATRICK REED GIL FECHNER BOB SANZ .ARI MICHELSEN GOAL: To incorporate natural resource considerations into land use and economic development decisions. Short Term Goals: To review existing documented policies for natural resource protection and assist in creating measures to establish, protect, and manage identified resource areas; support the enhancement of the Cache la Poudre River Corridor. Long Term Goals: Continue to monitor the status and development of natural resources within the City; examine alternative measures for securing valuable resource areas. ANNUAL REVIEW: JULY 1986 - JULY 1987 The Natural Resource Advisory Board (NRAB) requested that the committee consider and present a recommendation regarding the Colorado Division of Parks proposed development of the Picnic Rock river access site on the Poudre River. The Committee met with the Division of Parks and the Water Board prior to bringing a recommendation back the the NRAB. The final recommendation to the City Council was coordinated with the Water Board and approved by the NRAB before becoming incorporated in Resolution #86-156 to Council on October 7, 1986. The Committee's recommendation suggested that the City remain involved in the management decisions for the area. In January,1987 the Committee held the first of several meetings with Bob Wilkenson of the Natural Resource Department staff to discuss current land use development policies and the progress of the new environmental management plan. The Committee is in the process of reviewing the draft text of the Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. The review will be coordin- ated with the Mitigation Committee and should result in a letter of support which the NR Dept. staff can submit to the Council during the formal presentation of the Management Plan. This Committee needs to stay actively involved in the formulation nad first stages of implementation of the Management Plan. This task could become the primary focus of the upcoming years short term goal. The Committee was not able to address alternative measures of securing valuable resource areas during our meetings this year. It appears to be an important long term goal that should continue to be explored to assure that future opportunities for resource protection receive community support. The Committee did not address any specific wildlife issues, nor do our goals identify specific wildlife issues. I would prefer to have the Wildlife designation dropped from this committee, and if deemed necessary by the NRAB, included within another committee. Wildlife issues could also be referred to ad -hoc committes should they warrant additional attention. m • TO: Natural Resources Advisory Board Members FR: Deni La Rue/Chair RE: Committee Reports..... as of 7/1/87 As a Board our Overall Goals reflect our committee goals. Through our regular meetings and worksessions we work to implement these goals. Item #10 of the Overall Goals mandates that we evaluate our goals 'periodically'. The Board has chosen to do this through committee reports each July. To this end follows a report for the two committees which I Chair.... Recycling and Education/Information. RECYCLING COMMITTEE: members: Bassinger, La Rue (Chair) GOAL: TO SUPPORT THE CONCEPTS OF RECYCLING, REUSE, AND RECOVERY TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES. 1. SHORT TERM: To educate the public and increase general awareness. 2. LONG TERM : To support existing programs. This committee met in conjunction with the education/information committee to provide feedback on the city's recycling brochure. Roger Kremple was interviewed on Columbine Cablevision's 'On The Line' program. News stories ran on radio concerning the program. Overall I think the Board needs to re -think having a separate committee for this topic. My suggestion would be to merge this committee with the Education/Information Committee. Also I think the Natural Resources department could probably utilize this committee more, if the committee is left as is. - MORE - EDUCATION AND INFOATION COMMITTEE• • • members: Fechner, Johnson, La Rue (Chair), Michelsen GOAL: To increase public awareness and participation, through education, concerning the protection, preservation, productive use, and conservation of natural resources. SHORT TERM 1. Develop list - Scott Duncan worked on this and an initial list has been distributed to Board members. 2. Media Contacts - this list has not been completed 3. Assess Community concerns - this was carried out somewhat through our forum on woodburning. 4. Publicize (where appropriate) - No issues were deemed appropriate for independent publication it seems, other than through our regular city channels. 5. Establish Coordination Process - This is being looked at currently by City Council and City Staff (as of 6/27/87 meeting). The NRAB has discussed the matter and I have sent a letter to Mayor Estrada with our input LONGTERM: Ongoing. An assessment is being made through this report. OVERALL COMMENTS This committee met several times during the year, but not nearly enough. In accomplishing our goals we could add some proactiveness to our general reactive attitude. I do think that this committee should take a project -oriented approach and incorporate our goals into each specific project rather than looking at the goals as standing alone. I see lots of possibilities with the woodburnino issue. During regular Board meetings the ideas have poured forth on educating the public about this issue. 9 Natural Resources Advisory Board Water Committee 1986-1987 Goals Summary Report The following is a summary of progress toward our goals and a review of water resource related activities that pertain to our goals. Many of the Water Committee's short term and long term project goals have been or are currently being addressed by other groups. This interest in water resources is encouraging and indicates the potential to achieve mutually desirable goals. In order to accomplish these goals, we need to move forward on our own and keep abreast and contribute to other activities where possible. Several activities overlap with one or more goals. Please refer to the attached list of goals. 1) Work directly related to our first short term (and ongoing) goal is well underway. The City has signed a memo of understanding and has started the first phase of a three to five year study which will examine the possibility of enhancing the Cache La Poudre River as a fishery. Many individuals and groups are contributing to this study through their time and expertise (Trout Unlimited, Poudre River Trust, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CSU Department of Wildlife and the Rocky Mountain Flycasters to name a few). The City Water Department is funding the study and, through Linda Burger, coordinating the research. Burger discussed the proposed research at a full NRAB meeting. Phase I involves the collection of data on stream biology. Phase II will examine water quality and habitat suitability. Phase III will analyze the necessary stream flows. Questions which need to be answered include: Can sufficient water be obtained? Is the habitat suitable for a fishery? and What is the value of enhancing the fishery? In an effort to enhance stream flow for recreation and water quality purposes, the City filed for instream water rights. Poudre river water users, so far, have successfully contested the City's legal right to appropriate water for these purposes. State legislation has been proposed to clarify the earlier law allowing only State Water Conservation Boards to appropriate water to be used for instream flow. 2) Brian Woodruff reviewed existing programs and legislation on protection of ground water quality from leaking underground storage tanks in conjunction with pending State legislation and proposed City ordinance. Woodruff presented his findings to the NRAB. The NRAB concluded that no action should be taken at the present time pending State legislation. State underground storage tank legislation did not pass. State ground water protection legislation was passed In modified form, although not as strong as some City representatives desired. This legislation permits establishment of classifications and standards for ground water quality by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (CWQCC). Modification of discharge permits to include ground water is now in progress. In addition, the State Attorney's office has determined that the ground water program can be used by the State to protect ground water from underground storage tank leaks. Linda Burger is a member of the CWQCC and is well informed of action on the State level. The effectiveness of this legislation in protecting the City's ground water should be evaluated in the future. 3) An informal agreement dividing responsibility in the case of underground storage tank leaks has been worked out between the City's Fire, Health and Natural Resources Department. The Board may want to evaluate and make recommendations on the benefits and liabilities of formalizing responsibility and the inclusion of State agencies, for example the Health Department. Jane Mitchell, a NR Department volunteer, is conducting an inventory of underground storage tanks. This Is a large step toward identifying potential sources of pollution. Other ground water pollution sources and responsibilities still need to be identified. 4) We need to work on our summary and evaluation of surface water quality data. Dave Dubois should be a great help as he works to develop a Regional Water Quality Management Plan. 5) Discussions on a multijurisdictional agreement and scope of work for the Cache La Poudre National Recreation Study are continuing. An outline of the NRA Study was presented to the NRAB earlier this year. The NRAB voiced strong support for the Study, offered assistance and asked to be informed of progress. In light of current City support no recommendation was forwarded to Council. Modification of existing goals and addition of new goals: