Untitled Document

First "planning" meeting videos, April 1

Dr. Kirk Johnson, of the Denver Museum on Nature and Science, explains the faults in the county's process, to the idiots who debate him on the "world class" paleontology of the area they would be destroying with dirtbikes.

Minutes of this meeting for you to decide if they are accurate, complete, honest, nonbiased

Phyllis Cahill, webmaster for SaveCorralBluffs.com, reminds those in charge of the fauna section of the "master" plan that they don't even have all species on their list.

News report from 1st Master Plan Meeting

noise abatement discussion with Tim Wolken

Minutes of this meeting for you to decide if they are accurate, complete, honest, nonbiased

Second "planning" meeting videos, April 15

Part 1 of the Paleontology discussion,

where the new group, SWCA, hired to "study" the area for 5 whole hours, answers questions about the scope of their research. Not once in their history have they recommended a project not go forward.

Part 2 of Paleontology

on what the thresholds and chronology of the SWCA "study" will entail

Jake Kunstle, landowner and stakeholder, tells Tim Wolken that "this is a railroad job if I've ever seen one".

Mr. Bishop, who owns land at the bottom expresses his opposition to the destruction of his property values, and Lee Milner, of SaveCorralBluffs.com, tells Wolken that this is the scoping phase of the project and that the information at hand is no where near enough to make a decision. (which has already been made)

A stakeholder asks Tim Wolken why Aztec raceway was the only concessionaire considered for the contract in a no bid situation

A stakeholder wants to know if any other sites were considered for this mortorcycle race course and if the process to change the grant another area has been pursued

A stakeholder wants to know why won't be able to ride his horse in the "park", along with hikers, mountain nikes, ATVs and quads

Fourth Planning meeting April 29

Dr. Daiche of SWCA gives a report on wht he found

Dr. Hill gives his report on what he found, and tries to evade all questions

Parks director Tim Wolken answers questions

Commissioner Amy Lathen, district 2, answers questions

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF OUR OBJECTIONS TO A DIRT BIKE PARK AT CORRAL BLUFFS:

- The proposed park is in a rural residential zone, surrounded by over 500 residences and adjoining land where a new elementary school and the most expensive homes in Banning Lewis Ranch will be built

- It would cause noise, dust and exhaust pollution to neighboring residential properties and substantially decrease property values. A 10% to 50% devaluation (or more) is not unheard of for "incurable external obsolescence" caused by such things as construction of a motorcycle park next to residential areas

- They want to start small and then add more trails, add ATVs, add who knows what. Residents will be like the frog in the pot of water with the heat being gradually turned up until we're cooked.

- Dirt bikes and ATVs could increase danger of wildfire to dry grasslands and surrounding residences.

- Property owners could be vulnerable to liability claims from dirt bikers who trespass onto private property and injure themselves.

- The noise of motorcycles would be multiplied. The new park would be 7 times larger than Aztec, closer to residences and there'd be many more motorcycles.

- Residents have received no notification, whereas the County has held two private meetings for OHV supporters and solicited their donations.

- It would destroy native plant life, endanger rare plant communities and and turn beautiful scenery into a maze of OHV/motorcycle trails

- It would disturb golden eagle and owl nesting areas and habitat for mule deer, rock squirrels, coyote, jackrabbits, cottontails, porcupine, raccoons and over 70 different species of birds (link to bird list)

- It would invade a historically sensitive area containing prehistoric fossils and undiscovered Native American artifacts

- Instead of using a competitive bidding process, the county plans to tie themselves into one concessionaire who would manage the park and collect fees.

- Neighbors have witnessed motorcyle riders trespassing onto private property and chasing deer and cattle. Keeping motorcyclists on designated trails would be difficult.

- Serious injuries and deaths can occur while riding dirt bikes. The county could be named in lawsuits and that expense could fall on the taxpayers.

- Taxpayers would bear the untold burden. Increased number of vehicles pulling trailers would mean construction of a turning lane and acceleration/deceleration lanes on Highway 94 at a high cost to taxpayers. County law enforcement officials would have to spend more time dealing with noise complaints and trespassing issues.

- Public money (lottery proceeds and regional park fees) would be used to benefit only a small percentage of the citizens of El Paso County. Much of the terrain is rugged and would only serve expert motorcycle riders.

- The use of the standard planning process for a non-motorized park instead of creating a new and appropriate process for a motorized park.

- Corral Bluffs has been designated in several master plans as high priority land for conservation. For the last 10 years it has been a candidate as a regional park.

- If the park doesn't work out, there is no plan or budget for reclamation.

WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE

- Withdrawal of this proposal for a dirt bike park at Corral Bluffs.

- Adoption by El Paso County of a new transparent public planning process specific to motorized parks, rather than using the existing process for non-motorized parks. Read our motion for a master planning process.

- No OHV parks in residential or rural residential zones.

- Thorough and well-funded studies on how OHV use would affect neighbors and natural resources

- More public notice and a longer public comment period, including publishing notices in local newspapers, not one 25 miles away. If a proposed site is within 5 miles of a residents, they should receive a mailed notification at least 6 months prior to final site selection

- A thorough and sincere exploration of alternate sites

- Public posting of alternate sites and results of studies done, including an economic feasibility study

- Use of the normal competitive bid process to find a concessionaire. Eliminate the use of no-bid contracts.

WHY AT CORRAL BLUFFS?

The County was approached by Aztec Family Raceway with a proposal to enlarge their business. Corral Bluffs is adjacent to Aztec. Aztec would manage the park and collect fees, which would be shared with the County. Aztec is planning to purchase 35 acres north of their current site and Waste Management has agreed to provide 365 acres of land for the park. This OHV/motorcycle park can't go ahead without this additional acreage from Waste Management. We hope that they will reconsider allowing an easement to ecologically sensitive areas.

The choice of Corral Bluffs as the site has also been justified by a broad generalization that this area is already a wasteland because of the existing dirt bike park, Waste Management landfill, salvage yards and shooting range near Highway 94. As the photographs clearly show, Corral Bluffs is very different from the view seen from Highway 94 and is NOT a wasteland.

Another misleading statement that's been used is that there are only a couple dozen residents that will be affected, as if somehow it's permissable to dump one more blight upon them. In reality, there are over 500 residences within earshot of the proposed park (see map).

CORRAL BLUFFS SHOULD BECOME A REGIONAL PARK

In the County Parks Department Master Plan of July 1997 (link to PDF), Corral Bluffs is highlighted as a significant landmark and high priority land for conservation. (See maps) It's mentioned as a site with historically and culturally important features that merits consideration for protection and potential inclusion within the county's system of regional parks and open space.

The Bluffs were also included on a map of proposed open spaces when voters extended the Trails, Open Space and Parks, or TOPS, tax in 2003. TOPS would be a likely buyer of this property to realize the vision of a 3000 acre non-motorized regional open space park in combination with Jimmy Camp Creek park.

TOPS discussing Corral Bluffs as an open space - 5/16/07 meeting minutes

Tim Wolken, Director of County Parks, answering questions about OHV park at TOPS meeting 12/5/07

Corral Bluffs is a valuable resource for Colorado citizens. The 2003 El Paso County Development Services Highway 94 Comprehensive Plan, which was developed through an analysis of the area and input from County decision-makers, landowners, and the community at large, says "Corral Bluffs is the most recognizable natural visual feature within the Planning Area. According to the Highway 94 questionnaire, the Bluffs are considered the most important natural asset in the area. Because of their distinctiveness from the surrounding landscape, they focus visual attention and create an entry point to the Planning Area. ... Strong consideration should be given to preserving this area as an open space during the platting process." (link to pages from plan)

Corral Bluffs should be made into a non-motorized regional open space park. There is no county park in Falcon and no parks in the master plan for Falcon. The nearest parks are in Black Forest and Colorado Springs. This would serve the burgeoning population of eastern Colorado Springs, in particular new developments in Banning Lewis Ranch.

The approved Banning Lewis Ranch (BLR) Master Plan (link to PDF), (the largest housing development in the history of Colorado Springs), calls for the construction of expensive homes and an elementary school right next to the proposed OHV park.

The Major Thoroughfare Plans for both the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County call for the construction of a new arterial road parallel to Highway 94 starting at Marksheffel Road and ending at the south boundary of the proposed OHV park. This plan includes two interchanges, one of which would be where Aztec is now.

LACK OF PROPER PROCESS

This proposal is being pushed through by County Commissioner Jim Bensberg, an avid motorcyclist and former lobbyist of the American Motorcycle Association. See the Adventure Rider message board.

Residents and landowners around the proposed park haven't received any notice from the County. Instead they learned about the proposed park either by word of mouth or through recent articles in The Gazette, The Independent, The New Falcon Herald and The Denver Post. (link to articles) Residents haven't been consulted and adequate opportunity for public comment has not been allowed.

This is the first motorized county park proposed in Colorado. Obviously a motorized park is very different from a non-motorized park and it demands a different planning process that gives much more consideration to surrounding residents. Instead, the County is moving right ahead, using the same process they use for a non-motorized park.

What should have been a public meeting was held privately on November 6th at County Park headquarters. Only support was solicited from motorcycle enthusiasts. Dissent was not welcome. Neighboring residents were not told of the meeting. (link to meeting agenda on motorcycle message board)

Requests El Paso County defer action on any property acquisition until full and adequate public discussion can be held on the merits of placing the proposed OHV motorcycle park on the Corral Bluffs proposed open space area or any other location.
(link to full text of resolution)

Rather than go through the normal competitive bidding process, the county plans to tie itself into one private business, Aztec Family Raceway. With the large sum of money being spent, the county could set up their own concessionaire.

The $40,000 allowed for studies is woefully inadequate. Proper site analysis can be very expensive. Riverside County paid $500,000 to EDAW Consultants for an initial feasibility study, then an additional $724,000 for a final study for its Laborde Canyon proposed park. For a description see http://www.clerkoftheboard.co.riverside.ca.us/agendas/2003/2003_05_06/03.12.pdf

In a press release issued by the County, Commissioner Jim Bensberg says, “This is a unique project which will be a model for other counties to emulate.” If this is the model, it should serve as a warning to the other counties of Colorado.

SIGNIFICANT AND RARE ARCHAEOLOGIC RESOURCES

Since 1910, Corral Bluffs has been a significant area of study for geologists and paleontologists. As described by Kirk Johnson, Ph.D., Chief Curator and Vice President of Research & Collections at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Corral Bluffs area is unique because includes some of the most extensive surface exposures and badland outcrops in the Denver Basin. Because they're on private property they've not been fully explored, but explorations to date have shown that Corral Bluffs contains one of the three best exposures of the Cretaceous -Tertiary (K-T) boundary in the Denver Basin and one of the top 25 in the world. The K-T boundary is famous because it coincides with the extinction of the dinosaurs.

A 3/28/07 article in The Gazette says Dr. Kirk Johnson "thinks a student geologist came within about 10 feet of pinpointing the thin layer of clay known as the K/T boundary near Jimmy Camp Creek in the Corral Bluffs. That thin layer of clay separates two distinct periods of time on Earth — the Cretaceous, when dinosaurs lived and became extinct, and the Tertiary, which gave rise to the age of mammals. The boundary is so important because it is a precise marker in geologic time,” Johnson said. (link to Gazette article)

In 2000, The Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) excavated a nearly complete skull of an unnamed crocodile at Corral Bluffs and they believe the potential for discovering more dinosaur bones is high. An extremely rare fossil bird feather and highly unusual salamander footprints have been found. Corral Bluffs is the best site in Colorado and one of the top 20 sites in the world for mammals from the first 1 million years of the age of mammals.

Also exposed along the upper ledges of Corral Bluffs are dozens of large horizontal petrified logs ranging up to 4 feet in diameter and as long as 50 feet. This represents one of the finest fossil forests in Colorado.

The DMNS recommends ongoing research, preservation of natural outcrops and exposed and buried fossils, and possible creation of guided trails, interpretive signage and even an interpretive center for the Corral Bluffs area. (link to letter from Kirk Johnson, Ph.D (pdf file).

Those who have hiked in this area know of the arrowheads and pottery shards found, as well as evidence of early settlers. Considerable archeological finds were made at Jimmy Camp Creek by a team from UCCS. Prehistoric ceramics, chipped stone artifacts and groundstone, and buried fire pit features with a radiocarbon date of ca. AD 665. Archeologists suspect similar artifacts exist at Corral Bluffs.

If this land becomes publicly-held, its archaeological resources will be protected by Colorado Revised Statue 24-80-401-410, the Historic, Prehistoric, and Archaeological Resources Act, which carries fines and jail time for those who disobey the law.

Corral Bluffs:
This encompasses a number of localities east of Colorado Springs, and that means they're near the southern body of the study area. Puercan mammals were first discovered at Corral Bluffs in the 1940s. Middleton mentioned several more sites in 1983. Further specimens came from some of those, and from new localities. The Denver Basin Project also looked into the stratigraphy. Sites which yielded fossils in 2001 are concentrated in an interval of 27 metres. The amount of mammal fossils is generally low, (p.149). The identified remains share taxa with the Pu2 and Pu3 of New Mexico. Paleomagnetic evidence is in line with that; C29n. Other vertebrates include turtles, lizards, crocs and fish.

Corral Bluffs localities:

Multituberculata

Neoplagiaulacide, genus and species indeterminate.

Placentalia

Oxyclaenus cf. O. cuspidatus; Loxolophus hyattianus; L. aff. L. hyattianus; L. faulkneri; Desmatoclaenus cf. d. protogonioides; Mioclaenidae genus and species indeterminate; Ectoconus ditrigonus; Periptychus coarctartus; Conacodon entoconus; C. aff. C. entoconus; C. delphae.

The archaic ungulate Loxolophus faulkneri was about the size of a fox.

Loxolophus faulkneri, Conacodon entoconus, and Conacodon delphae found at Corral Bluffs in the Denver Formation:

http://pubs.gg.uwyo.edu/38-1_ABSTRACTS.htm

Puercan mammals, like Baioconodon, Protungulatum donnae, Oxyclaenus simplex, Loxolophus hyattianus found at Corral bluffs:http://home.arcor.de/ktdykes/ungulato.htm#protungulatum

Protungulatum donnae, the oldest ungulate or hoofed mammal, the common ancestor of horses, tapirs, rhinos, pigs, sheep, deer, cattle, elephants, sea cows, and whales, among others.

Oxyclaenus simplex is a Paleocene marsupial

species of marsupials: Loxolophus hyattianus

Multituberculata. In terms of this project, this taxon is used as meaning the most recent common ancestor of Paulchoffatia, Ctenacodon and Ectypodus, and all of its descendants. Multituberculates were once common across the northern hemisphere, but the order finally went extinct about 30 to 40 million years ago. Their friends often call them multis. Two Suborders are recognized; 'Plagiaulacida' and Cimolodonta.

Taxon: Neoplagiaulacidae Ameghino F, 1890

Reference: Ameghino (1890), Los plagiaulácidos Argentinos y sus relaciones zoológicas, geológicas y geográficas. Boletin del Instituto Geográfico Argentino, 11, p.143-208.

The following is based upon my reading of the text from Scott, 2005. Any page numbers mentioned are in Roman numerals, and these don't correspond at all with those in the original publication.
Neoplagis were relatively late multituberculates which flourished in the Paleocene (p.i)., and then at least largely died out by the Eocene. (Rare Oligocene occurrences are sometimes cited.) Most remains are poorly preserved fossils from North America, and poor preservation means sorting out this from that can be difficult to impossible. For example, the species rich genus of Neoplagiaulax probably contains various neoplagis which, although broadly similar as far as they're known, don't all belong in the same genus.

Placentalia. In terms of this project, Placentalia is a taxon used as meaning the most recent common ancestor of an anteater, a whale, Bugs Bunny and myself, and all of its descendants. It contains most the members of Eutheria

http://www.geocities.com/trevor_dykes/denverbasin.htm

149 locations of denver formation fossils can be found here:

http://www.dmns.org/NR/rdonlyres/F243EA72-23C6-45F4-8AD5-87D0BE63DD48/1750/JOHNSO2.PDF

AN HISTORICAL LANDMARK

From 1867 to 1890 an estimated 10 million cattle were moved from Texas to Denver on the The Goodnight-Loving Trail. They were routinely corralled for a night at Corral Bluffs.

The following is from the Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) web site:

Corral Bluffs - This distinctive landform extends along the eastern fringes of the urbanizing area of Colorado Springs. In places, the bluffs drop nearly 400 feet, marking an abrupt transition from the elevated plains on the east to the Fountain Creek drainage basin. Erosion along this front has exposed an interesting set of rock strata and created a series of gullies where more favorable moisture conditions support the establishment of isolated juniper, ponderosa pine and other woody species. The bluffs are generally more prominent north of State Highway 94 and taper off to the south.

The natural area identified on Map I encompasses an approximately I mile wide swath of land that includes the limestone outcrops for which the area is named, as well as some of the prairie at the base and along the top of the cliffs. It also includes important wildlife habitat. Protection of this area would maintain the visual quality of this important landmark and could also provide an opportunity for a regional trail alignment along the base of the bluffs that would link Fountain Creek with the Jimmy Camp Creek Park proposed by Colorado Springs. The bluffs also have important cultural resource values, including their use by early Native Americans as a buffalo jump. Cattlemen gave the bluffs their name back in the days of open range -- the steep cliffs served as a barrier where cattle could be corralled with relatively little fence construction.

(link to Corral Bluffs information on TOSC site)
(link to history of Jimmy Camp and Corral Bluffs

A RICH WILDLIFE HABITAT

Corral Bluffs has been home for several pairs of nesting golden eagles for at least the last 20 years. Their nests are reused for generations. They need a large territory to supply a large amount of food. It is thought that eagles mate for life. This wonderful species should have its natural habitat preserved.

The area is also rich in other bird life and wildlife such as: hawks, falcons, swallows, roadrunners, owls, scorpions, lizards, snakes, deer, antelope, coyote, raccoons, porcupine, rock squirrels, a rare species of box turtle, and occasionally foxes. It's hard to imagine animals, birds or hikers feeling at home in a park filled with motorcycle noise and exhaust.

As Colorado Springs expands eastward, open spaces need to be preserved for animals that can easily become pests in a heavily populated area.

RARE PLANTS IN A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT

The globally-imperiled (G2 S2) western wheatgrass-spikerush community grows at Corral Bluffs. This community is rare and should be protected. Corral Bluffs has the unique clay soil to support it. When wet, the clay holds the moisture needed to maintain this community that would otherwise not occur in the very arid shortgrass prairie landscape.

Since Corral Bluffs is an inundated wetland or "dish", it would be threatened by accelerated erosion associated with off-road vehicles on surrounding uplands. Erosion could also increase the permeability of the clay soil, the unique part of this system, by mixing it with larger particles of silt and sand at an accelerated and unnatural rate causing a loss of system. There is no doubt that accelerated erosion could damage the wheatgrass-spikerush community.

The environment around Corral Bluffs is very fragile and easily damaged. Native grasses take years to grow in because of the altitude and dry climate. Traffic and soil compaction makes it even more difficult for plants' roots to find water. The terrain is steep, as shown in the topographical map (link to maps) and photographs. Once native plants are torn up, the land erodes and high winds, which are common to the area, make large dust clouds.