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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 02/13/2008• MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS LAND CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP BOARD Regular Meeting 200 W. Mountain, Suite A February 13,2008 DATE: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 LOCATION: 200 W. Mountain Avenue, Suite A TIME: 6:00 p.m. • 0 For Reference: Linda Stanley - 493-7225 Mayor Doug Hutchinson - 416-2154 John Stokes, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Raymond Boyd, Linsey DeBell, Greg Eckert, Trudy Haines, Linda Stanley, Karyl Ting Board Members Excused Vicky McLane, Dave Theobald, Michelle Grooms Council Liaison Mayor, Doug Hutchinson Staff Present Natural Resources / Natural Areas Department: Rick Bachand, Geri Kidawski, Erica Saunders, Mark Sears, John Stokes Guests Andrew Barnes — CSU student Dale Adamy - Citizen Public Comments None Agenda Review • Stanley: Election of officers will be moved to the March 12, 2008 Board meeting. Review and Approval of Minutes Karyl Ting moved to approve the January 9, 2008 meeting minutes. Trudy Haines second. They were unanimously approved. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board February 13, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Agriculture Lease Agreement for Andrijeski Property • Erica Saunders: This lease involves a 157- acre portion of the Reservoir Ridge Natural Area located at 1425 North Overland Trail formerly known as the "Andrijeski property". This property was incorporated into the Reservoir Ridge Natural Area late last year when the acquisition of an adjacent CSU property created contiguous land ownership. In December 2007 and January 2008, Natural Areas staff conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) process soliciting proposals for agricultural use of the property. Roger and Keith Amey were selected to continue leasing the property. They will be using the eastern portion of the property for irrigated hay and crop production. The western portion of the property will be used for prescriptive grazing limited to 25 animal unit months. Natural Areas staff will continue to manage the wetland and pond system on the western portion of the property, which hosts a population of federally threatened Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies'- tresses orchid). This portion of the property is designated as a Special Lease Area, and will be grazed by the tenant only at the request and discretion of Natural Areas staff. This is a one-year lease with up to four annual renewals. This lease will generate $3,000 annual income and since the tenant will control weeds on the property and mow the yard around the house, Natural Areas Program maintenance costs are reduced. • Stanley: Is the property in good shape? • Saunders: Yes, although the property contains primarily non-native species including smooth brome. There are wetland areas designated as Special Lease Areas to give them an opportunity to recover. There is a Canada thistle problem in the wetlands area. • Haines: How many cattle will graze the property? • Saunders: Cattle are limited to 25 AUMs. • Haines: What is the fair market value? • Saunders: We did not set a minimum or maximum price. We solicited for proposals and that was the price that Roger and Keith Amey proposed. • Stanley: What is the benefit of grazing? • Saunders: There could be litter build up with no grazing. We have had sheep grazing on the property in the past because they help control weeds because their diet consists of a larger percentage of forbs, while cattle consume more grass. • Eckert: Where are the Ute Ladies' tresses orchids, and Canadian thistle? • Bachand: Both thrive in the wetland area. Cow grazing can help the orchids along with their hoof action on the soil, stirring up seeds. There are also plans for a prescribed burn to help control the Canadian thistle. • DeBell: How long has the property been grazed? • Saunders: It has been grazed for as long as the Natural Areas has owned the property. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board February 13, 2008 Page 3 of 3 • • Sears: Roger and Keith Amey leased the property from the Andrijeski's before the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas owned it. Our reason for leasing is that it makes management of the property less expensive. • DeBell: Is there an issue with cattle packing the soil? • Sears: Rick Bachand will take that into account when he develops a restoration plan for the property. • Stokes: The eastern section of the property is cropped land and is turned over • 0 every year. • Haines: Leasing is a good option, do the Amey's live near? • Saunders: Yes, they live off Vine Street in Fort Collins. • Stokes: The Amey's are one of the last farmers in this area. • Eckert: Do we consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service because the Ute Ladies' tresses orchid is a threatened plant? • Stokes: We do not have to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Services because plants fall under a more relaxed set of regulations than do animals. I'll schedule a time when Crystal Strouse, the Natural Areas botanist, can come and talk to the Board regarding plants in our Natural Areas. Eckert motioned that the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommend that City Council approve an ordinance granting an agriculture lease on 157 acres of the Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Boyd second, and it was unanimously approved. Land Conservation / Community Separator Board Discussion The Board entered into a work session and discussed land conservation, and specifically community separators. Election of Officers Election of Officers will be conducted at the March 12, 2008 Board meeting. New Business: Announcements: Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Submitted by Geri Kidawski Administrative Secretary