OHV
Park Project
Meeting
Notes from Environmental Groups
April
1, 2008
(my
comments in red)
(these
notes were "taken" by staff, although many times they took no notes
and people called them on it over and over. At the second hearing, they asked
for volunteeers in some breakout groups, for people to take notes, except for
Wolken who did not, but a volunteer came up to do it anyway. In the Cultrural
Paleonotology hearing, Amber Jack was constinueously reminded to "write
that down")
Cultural
Resources Group – approximately 45 people in attendance
Amber
Jack introduced herself and gave a brief presentation explaining what had been
done so far for cultural resources. She also introduced Dr. David Hill,
an El Paso County (EPC) seasonal employee who has been hired specifically for
this project to conduct a cultural resource survey.
The
following items were discussed by the group:
Buffalo
jumps were brought up and more research needs to be done in this area.
Dr.
Kirk Johnson spoke about the bedrock layers on the property that are proposed
to have the presence of fossils. Dr. Johnson is willing to provide EPC
additional information including publications for research. Dr. Johnson
is the VP of Research and Collections, and the Chief Curator at the Denver Museum
of Nature and Science.
Phone: 303-370-6448
Fax: 303-331-6492
(watch
the tape to see what he really said)
It
was recommended that we check with the Colorado Natural Areas program that is
run by the state of Colorado, to make the area a state park. It was also
recommended the area be made into a park with guided hikes.
Concern
regarding how to ensure that the dirt bikes remain on the trails. After
the presentation a gentleman provided a photographic example, that by placing
rocks and other obstacles around the trail, the dirt bikes have no other choice
but to stay on the trail.
It
was recommended that environmental research (flora, fauna, and cultural), also
be conducted on the land that will allow easements through their properties,
to get to the proposed OHV park.
One
property owner stated that Ms. Boucher (who lives off of Corral Valley Road)
has many maps and other information that she will provide to Mr. Wolken.
It
was concluded that research would continue, and the public would be provided
with additional information at the April 15th meeting.
Wildlife
Resources Group – approximately 25 people in attendance
Nancy
Prieve began by summarizing the work that had been done to date on the property
including the golden eagle meeting with USFWS and CDOW, information gathered
from field surveys and results of data searches.
Participants
discussed the following:
Concern
with the noise having negative affects on the golden eagles.
Concern
that the park would eliminate the foraging habitat for the golden eagles so
even if the nest is buffered the eagles will still be impacted by loss of hunting
territory.
Concerns
with other raptors utilizing the property.
Discussion
on species (such as bird lists) that minimal or no regulations. (watch
the video to see Pyllis Cahill read a list of birds not on the county's list
of species)
Trust
issues with the County accurately reporting the wildlife concerns. (no
shit)
Why
is the County relying primarily on field work as opposed to utilizing existing
data and documents?
What
will be the Environmental Service Department’s (ESD) “product”
as it relates to Natural Resources and what will be done with that “product?”
Concern
with ESD getting accurate assessment of what is out there in such a short time
frame and in only one or two seasons.
Concern
with downstream pollution/erosion and its affects on some sensitive fish species
in Fountain Creek.
Annoyance
that access to the property is limited to County employees.
Specific
Species Concerns (beyond what ESD is already addressing):
Prairie
dogs and burrowing owls on neighboring properties
A
spiny, soft-shelled tortoise living on Waste Management’s property
A
few general raptor nest locations given (actually,
I gave a very specifi raptor nest location the FWS was not aware of, that is
in the video)
Pronghorn
General
birds observed on/near the property
A
butterfly (info to be provided to Tim)
(this
was some of the better and more honest note taking)
To
be addressed for April 15:
Raptor
Surveys (direction from USFWS and CDOW)
Survey
for burrowing owl presence (direction from CDOW)
Additional
species noted during field work
Research/address
specific species brought up during the meeting
Compile
list of federal and state threatened and endangered species and indicate why
those species are not of concern on the property (i.e. – lacks proper
habitat/not within range, etc.)
Flora
Resources Group – approximately 30 people in attendance
John
Powell introduced himself and gave a brief presentation explaining what had
been done so far for plant research.
The
following was discussed by the group:
The
primary focus of discussion revolved around the planning process.
Discussion
also included the method used for the plant inventory process. (fiound
to be totally inadequate by panel's membership)
This
break-out group concluded with the suggestion the Colorado Native Plant Society
(CoNPS), Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) and the Colorado State Park’s
Colorado Natural Area program (CNA) be contacted soliciting any reports, information
or suggestions they may have available for the Corral Bluffs parcel or adjacent
areas.
This
information may include current plant lists or historical studies that have
been completed in the past.
It
was concluded that research would continue, and the public would be provided
with additional information at the April 15th meeting.
Noise
Abatement Group – Approximately 35 people in attendance
Tim
Wolken welcomed the group. Wolken reviewed an e-mail from Jerry Abboud
from the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Association regarding the method used
by many OHV areas to measure sound from individual motorcycles. Wolken
also reviewed Senate Bill 63 which includes provisions regarding sound measurements
for motorcycles.
The
group discussed the following:
The
group discussed the proposed testing procedures for individual motorcycles.
It was suggested the revolutions per minute (RPM) testing range for each motorcycle
be based upon Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1287 standards.
The
group discussed whether the County's noise ordinance exemption for motorized
sports activities would apply for the OHV Park. Wolken indicated that
he would obtain an opinion from the County Attorney's Office.
The
group discussed the possibility of sound meters being utilized placed at the
property borders to track ongoing sound emissions. Wolken indicated that
he would research this issue.
The
group discussed the timing on testing individual motorcycles. Wolken indicated
the testing requirements will be included in the master plan.
Based
on the group discussion, Wolken indicated that he would distribute a draft noise
abatement section at the April 15 meeting.