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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse To Constituent Letter - Mail Packet - 1/30/2024 - Letter From Mayor Jeni Arndt To Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Re: Board Input Prior To City Council Priorities Setting Retreat Mayor City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.416.2154 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com January 25, 2024 Land Conservation and Stewardship Board c/o Katie Donahue, Natural Areas Department Director and LCSB Liaison PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Dear Chair Cunniff, Vice Chair Mason, and Board Members: On behalf of City Council, thank you for providing us with the LCSB Statement to City Council, your 2024 Work Plan and your Values statement in advance of City Council’s January 27, 2024 Priorities Setting Retreat. We understand that the Board is emphasizing expanding conserved land areas. Thank you for the expertise and perspectives that you bring to the Board and share with City Council. Best Regards, Jeni Arndt Mayor /sek cc: City Council Members Kelly DiMartino, City Manager January 23, 2024 Dear Mayor and Council, The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board wanted you to have our 2024 Work Plan and our land conservation Values statements in advance of your priorities setting Retreat this weekend. Please see them, attached. Please note the emphasis on expansion of our conserved land areas. Thank you for your continued support of the citizen-initiated City and County Open Space programs. Ross Cunniff, Chair Land Conservation and Stewardship Board Adopted by LCSB November 8, 2023 Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Key Initiatives/Work Items for 2024 1. Advocate for accelerated Land Conservation, through partnerships, land acquisitions, and conservation easements. 2. Advocate for funding mechanisms that make possible land conservation at a faster pace than can be supported by current funding, in recognition of future land unavailability and higher price. 3. Advise Natural Area Department staff and City Council regarding Natural Area Department land conservation opportunities, priorities, and future direction. 4. Advise Natural Areas Department staff and City Council on matters affecting Natural Areas Department land, water, and other real property interests. 5. Review City and Growth Management Area plans for Natural Area opportunities and impacts. 6. Advise Natural Area Department staff on Natural Area Department strategic plans, management plans, and other management initiatives. 7. Review the Natural Areas Department’s budget re-appropriation requests. Provide recommendations to City Council as needed. 8. Advise on proposed projects that may potentially impact Natural Area conserved properties, for example NISP and oil and gas development. Advise on policies to protect these properties and other City-owned lands that have conservation value. 9. Advise Natural Areas Department, other City Departments, and City Council on long-term strategies for conserving Meadow Springs Ranch. 10. Advise on planning for and mitigating against the effects of climate change on natural areas as well as the role of natural areas in a changing climate. 11. Consider potential underrepresented voices and community members when advocating, reviewing, and advising. 12. Proactively advise Natural Areas Department staff and City Council on projects and policies that potentially impact Poudre River health. Land Conservation and Stewardship Board, Retreat 4/28/2023 VALUES ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH Advocating for the value of natural areas ADD ETHICS AND ETIQUETTE TO OUR MISSION AND OUTREACH EQUITY (DEI) Advocate/educate policy makers on impacts of possible decisions (minimize “policy damage”, maximize “policy benefit”) LAND CONSERVATION Seeking permanent protection for natural areas EXPANDING # OF ACRES OF CONSERVED LAND (LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY) (EASEMENTS) Land purchase Accelerate Land Conservation as opportunities continue to disappear. PROTECT EXISTING ASSETS Protecting natural areas from infrastructure encroachment Minimize human-caused damage to NA & wildlife PRIORITIZE WILDLIFE HABITAT & LAND CONSERVATION OVER HUMAN ACCESS & IMPACT Holding back overdevelopment Focus on impacts from NISP and oil & gas regulations in the near term Maximize conserved habitat in perpetuity RESTORATION & REHAB. LAND REHABILITIATON & RESTORATION Restoration Poudre River ecological “health” CONNECTIVITY Habitat corridors, establishing and preserving them Promote continuity and compatibility of adjoining uses to maintain habitat value FUNDING Establishing and expanding the regional context IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL FUNDING MECHANISMS SO WE ARE COMPETITIVE IN OFFERS & FORT AQUISTION, O&M Look for and/or advocated for a permanent funding source for NAs