Environmental News
Environmental News from Boulder, Colorado
Free firewood? What a deal!
Jul 25th
Firewood Program:
Wood generated by the City of Boulder’s forest management operations is made available to the public, at the OSMP South Boulder Creek West Trailhead. The wood is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is usually on-site between the months of May and November.
Beginning July 15, 2013, due to recently enacted restrictions, wood pick-up will require users to sign a contract, pay an annual $15 administration fee, and get a gate key to access the wood.
Contracts and keys are available at the OSMP Administrative Offices at 66 S. Cherryvale Road between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, M-F. The contract and key will allow users to access the firewood during the following hours:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 am to 5 pm
- The 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm
For additional information please call OSMP at 303-441-3440.
The following Terms and Conditions apply to all woodlot users:
- Only those who have a current, signed contract with OSMP may get firewood.
- The signed contract must be in your possession when picking up wood. You must present it to OSMP staff, if requested to do so;
- You may access and remove firewood only during the hours of operation noted below;
- You may take no more than one-half cord (4’x4’x4’) of wood per day;
- You must return the woodlot key within 30 days upon termination of this contract, or sooner, if OSMP staff so directs;
- You must comply with all OSMP rules and regulations, including not entering areas that are temporarily or permanently restricted or closed;
- You must respect the rights and privileges of others, including those picking up firewood under similar contracts;
- Dogs accompanying anyone picking up wood must be leashed and under your control;
- Please remove all trash or litter; and
- You are responsible for any damage to your vehicle or to City property resulting from your participation in firewood cutting or removal.
No one may:
- Use a woodlot key without a current, signed contract;
- Duplicate or permit another person to use their assigned key to the woodlot;
- Conduct sales or solicitation for sales on OSMP property;
- Block traffic or parking or create an unsafe or hazardous situation;
- Use a chainsaw without a spark arrestor; or
- Use heavy equipment such as tractors or bulldozers to aid in picking up wood.
REMINDER:
- All motor vehicles not registered in Boulder County must display either a daily or an annual parking permit to park at the South Boulder Creek West trailhead parking lot. A parking permit is NOT required inside the woodlot area while picking up firewood.
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West Nile Virus found in county
Jul 21st
Take precautions
Mosquitoes in the City of Boulder and other Boulder County properties have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Although the majority of mosquitoes being screened for the virus are negative, if bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito, there is a risk of people contracting the disease. There have been no human cases confirmed in the City of Boulder or Boulder County this year.
On June 25, one positive mosquito sample collected was pooled from traps at Christensen Park and Stazio Ball Fields. On July 2, a second positive sample collected was pooled from traps located at Christensen Park, Tom Watson Park, Locust and 10th streets and South Boulder Recreation Center. Pooled samples indicate that positive mosquitoes came from at least one of the sites listed.
To decrease the likelihood of human/mosquito interactions and to help minimize the spread of WNV, the city recommends that residents’ mosquito-proof their properties by:
- Draining any standing water outside your home;
- Not over-watering landscaping or turf (mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of stagnant water); and
- Inspecting properties for any items that can hold water, including toys, tarps and covers, pots, wheelbarrows, tire swings, recycling bins, trash cans and lids. Birdbaths should be changed every 3 to 4 days.
The virus can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. Keep safe this summer and remember the four D’s:
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, 2 percent soybean oil, or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
- Avoid the outdoors from DUSK until DAWN.
- DRAIN standing water outside your home.
Beginning in mid-May, the city regularly monitors mosquito number (and type) with a grid of surveillance traps. The city treats mosquito habitats with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Mosquito larval control with Bti is the most effective and environmentally sensitive strategy to control the spread of WNV mosquitoes and reduce the risk of human infections.
For general information about the city’s Mosquito Control program including WNV, visitwww.BoulderColorado.gov/ipm and click on, “Mosquito Control Program.” There is also a WNV Hotline at 303-441-3400 that provides basic information and weekly updates if new information is available. The State of Colorado also provides helpful WSN resources at www.fightthebitecolorado.com.
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No more geeky hardware in the trash or go to jail
Jun 22nd
Many Electronics will be Prohibited from Trash Bins Starting July 1
The Electronic Recycling Jobs Act bans electronics from landfills
Boulder County, Colo. – Effective July 1, Boulder County residents can no longer place computers and many other types of electronics at the curb, or in waste bins, for collection and disposal. The Electronic Recycling Jobs Act, signed by Governor Hickenlooper in April of 2012, intends many benefits for the state including job creation through material recovery, diversion of hazardous material from landfills and reduction of energy and raw material resource demands from mining and manufacturing.
Banned devices include:
- television sets
- central processing units (CPUs)
- computer monitors
- peripherals
- printers
- fax machines
- laptops
- notebooks
- ultra books
- net books
- electronic tablets
- digital video disc players
- video cassette recorders
- video display devices with a screen greater than four inches
The law requires that consumers deliver their electronic equipment to collection facilities or collection events. Boulder County will no longer accept waste electronics at the Nederland or Allenspark transfer stations or county recycling drop off centers. Residents of Nederland and Allenspark can expect county-organized collection events on or around Labor Day weekend.
Electronic devices contain a number of hazardous elements that can migrate if disposed in a landfill, potentially contaminating groundwater and soil. Brokers and recyclers with an e-Steward or R2 certification have demonstrated that they meet specific environmental standards and safely manage used electronics. Residents of Boulder County can find a list of certified electronics recyclers and local collection events atwww.bouldercounty.org/env/recycle/pages/ewaste.aspx.
For more information, contact Jeff Callahan, Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720-564-2221 orjcallahan@bouldercounty.org.
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