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No consensus for GMOs, pesticides, “experimental farming” in #Boulder County’s cropland policy
Dec 13th
Commissioners to consider Cropland Policy at Dec. 20 public meeting
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners will deliberate on public testimony and comments received concerning the Cropland Policy Advisory Group’s (CPAG) policy recommendations for Boulder County Open Space croplands on Dec. 20 from 1-3 p.m.
What: Public meeting for the Board of County Commissioners to consider the proposed Cropland Policy for Boulder County Open Space agricultural lands
When: Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m.
Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St.
Alternative viewing: Watch the meeting live online the day of the deliberations
The meeting on Dec. 20 is open to the public, but no further public testimony will be taken. All comments submitted to the commissioners via regular mail, electronic mail, phone calls and in-person testimony leading up to the Dec. 20 meeting date will be taken into consideration.
The meeting will be Web streamed live on Dec. 20. Members of the public can view the meeting online at:www.bouldercounty.org/government/pages/hearings.aspx. A taped version of the meeting will also be posted on the website as part of the commissioners’ video archive.
Background
The CPAG, consisting of nine members appointed by the commissioners, held meetings over a nine-month period to create a comprehensive Cropland Policy for Boulder County Open Space agricultural lands. The policy recommendations address soil health, economic sustainability, pest management, program administration, water, livestock, recreation and natural resource protection on agricultural lands. Through a consensus process, CPAG developed more than 80 policy recommendations. Three areas failed to achieve consensus: genetically engineered crops, use of certain pesticides, and experimental farming practices.
On Dec. 8, the county commissioners held a public hearing attended by more than 500 people, many of whom signed up to speak. At the hearing, the commissioners and attendees received a staff presentation on the county’s existing practices and programs, an overview of CPAG’s recommendations and a summary of input from the Food and Agriculture Policy Council (FAPC), the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC), and Parks and Open Space staff. The presentation was followed by 8 ½ hours of open public comment.
Members of the public have been providing input over the nine-month period, and all comments have been recorded as part of the public record. In addition to the many open meetings and hearings held by CPAG as they formed their recommendations for the cropland policy, several subsequent public meetings have been held to consider the draft policy: a staff presentation and joint public hearing on Nov. 15 to FAPC and POSAC, FAPC deliberations on Nov. 16, POSAC deliberations on Nov. 17, and the public open comment hearing with the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 8.
For a copy of the Cropland Policy provided to the commissioners and information about the policy, please visit the Cropland Policy website or contact Resource Planner Jesse Rounds at 303-678-6271 or croplandpolicy@bouldercounty.org.
#Occupy Denver takes on Wal Mart for workers
Dec 11th
Boulder’s Chautauqua –Change it? Protect it? Get you 2 cents in
Dec 11th
The City of Boulder and the Colorado Chautauqua Association (CCA) are working together to develop a “Chautauqua 2020 Stewardship Framework” to help guide their collaborative management of the Chautauqua area, and to inform any future decisions about its use and enhancement.
The city and the consultant team of Anderson Hallas Architects, PC and Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. will host a public meeting for the public to learn more about the draft Stewardship Framework and provide feedback. The meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave. The public is invited to provide input on:
- The draft principles and evaluation criteria; and,
- The draft framework approach to parking, access, and potential physical changes.
This collaborative effort is taking place in order to develop a Stewardship Framework for the Chautauqua area, located at 900 Baseline Road. The effort arose in response to CCA’s “Chautauqua 2020 Plan” that was brought to the city in February 2011. The 2020 Plan identifies the CCA’s priorities as it strives to continue its mission “to preserve, perpetuate and improve the site and spirit of the historic Chautauqua by enhancing its community and values through cultural, educational, social and recreational experiences.”
The overall purpose of the Stewardship Framework is to establish a shared understanding and approach to Chautauqua’s stewardship, including a process by which potential changes to facilities and the adjacent historic area could be considered. It also seeks to lay the foundation for continued success of the Colorado Chautauqua through coordination of uses and a shared management philosophy and practice between the city and the CCA.
To learn more about the stewardship framework, visit www.BoulderColorado.gov/Chautauqua, or contact Louise Grauer at 303-441-3134 orgrauerl@bouldercolorado.gov