HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-120-10/05/2004-AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGARDIN RESOLUTION 2004-120
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
WITH THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
REGARDING CONSERVATION OF THE THREATENED
COLORADO BUTTERFLY PLANT ON MEADOW SPRINGS RANCH
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins,using Wastewater Utility revenues,purchased in 1990
the 25,680 acre Meadow Springs Ranch, which lies 22 miles north of Fort Collins on each side of
Interstate 25 and 10 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado butterfly plant, also known as Gaura, a threatened species found
primarily in Wyoming and Nebraska, has been found in a small portion of Meadow Springs Ranch;
and
WHEREAS, this population is the only known population of the plant species in Colorado;
and
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (the "FWS") has initiated the
process of designating critical habitat for the Colorado butterfly plant, but is seeking generally to
provide better protection for the plant species through the negotiation of conservation agreements
with owners of property on which the populations of the plant species are located; and
WHEREAS,the FWS has requested that the City enter into a voluntary agreement regarding
the management of the Colorado butterfly plant population on a 280-acre area of Meadow Springs
Ranch north of the ranch headquarters; and
WHEREAS, City staff has worked cooperatively with the FWS and with the Natural Fort
Grazing Association, which currently leases Meadow Springs Ranch for cattle grazing, regarding
the measures to be taken to protect the Colorado butterfly plant; and
WHEREAS,the primary requirement of the Conservation Agreement proposed by the FWS
is for the City to continue the current grazing and other land management practices where the
Colorado butterfly plant occurs, and coordinate with the FWS regarding any substantial changes in
grazing and/or other land management practices in order to maintain habitat to meet the conservation
needs of the Colorado butterfly plant; and
WHEREAS, the Conservation Agreement has a fifteen year term, but is terminable by the
City or the FWS with thirty days' notice; and
WHEREAS,the Conservation Agreement further provides for the FWS to provide technical
assistance in monitoring and evaluating the Colorado butterfly plant population on Meadow Springs
Ranch; and
WHEREAS, City staff has recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager
to enter into the Conservation Agreement,in view of the benefits to be achieved through cooperation
with the FWS in the preservation of the Colorado butterfly plant and its habitat; and
WHEREAS,the City is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements to provide any
function, service or facility, such as a grant agreement, as provided in Article 11, Section 16 of the
Charter of the City of Fort Collins and Section 29-1-203, C.R.S.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into the Conservation Agreement,
upon the terms and conditions described above and such other terms and conditions, or subsequent
modifications or amendments, as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney,
determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City and effectuate the
purposes set forth herein, not otherwise inconsistent with this Resolution.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 5th day of October,
A.D. 2004.
ayo
ATTEST:
City Clerk