Posts tagged Open Space
Wild Earth Guardians
May 29th
We learn about the Wild Earth Guardians and how they strive to preserve maintain the Earth, environment and life on the planet.
Public input sought on Goose Creek ecosystem restoration project
May 16th
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps), in partnership with the City of Boulder, is accepting public feedback from May 16 through 25 regarding a potential aquatic restoration project. The proposed project would improve degraded habitat for approximately 4,000 feet of South Goose Creek, from Foothills Parkway to Cottonwood Pond, as well as Cottonwood Pond itself.
The proposed Goose Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project would be a joint endeavor by the City of Boulder and the Corps. The project would be led by the Corps, which has been working with the city to plan for the project since 2002. These efforts complement the City of Boulder’s “Greenways Master Plan” and past investments in protecting open space.
Under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, the Corps can undertake restoration projects in aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes and wetlands, with a non-federal sponsor, such as the City of Boulder. The program provides up to $5 million in federal funding, based on a 65 percent federal and 35 percent local sponsor cost-sharing agreement.
The Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a Draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) and an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the proposed project. The document is posted under “Related Documents” on the project website.
Comments for the Corps should be submitted to:
ATTN: Ms. Cynthia Upah, CENWO-PM-AC
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District
Planning Branch
1616 Capitol Avenue
Omaha, NE 68102
Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil
402-995-2672
Seasonal raptor closures start Feb. 1
Jan 28th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department is temporarily closing the following areas in order to protect nesting and roosting raptors. The closures will begin Tuesday, Feb. 1, and run through July 31:
Lefthand Canyon Palisades at the intersection of Lefthand Canyon Drive and Olde Stage Road (Buckingham picnic area remains open);
Mount Sanitas, First Buttress, accessible from the Mount Sanitas trailhead, .5 miles west of Fourth Street and Mapleton Avenue (There are no closures to the bouldering areas along the ridge);
Gregory Canyon Amphitheater, including the Amphitheater Express Trail and the 3rd Pinnacle (The Amphitheater Trail to Saddle Rock will remain open);
Third Flatiron, including the East and West Ironing Boards, Queen Anne’s Head and Jaws, and WC Pinnacle and all descent routes accessible from Chautauqua trailhead, 900 Baseline Road;
Skunk Canyon, including Ridge 2, 3 and 4, the Aechean Pronouncement, the Dreadnaught, the North Ridge and the entirety of Sacred Cliffs, accessible from NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
The rock formation known as the Front Porch;
Bear Creek Spire, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
Fern Canyon, including the Goose, the Goose Eggs, the East Ridge and Nebel Horn, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road (The designated Fern Canyon hiking trail will remain open);
Shadow Canyon and the Matron, 1.7 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive. (The designated Shadow Canyon hiking trail will remain open, and the Maiden remains open and accessible from the east);
The entire Mickey Mouse wall, accessible from OSMP Lindsay property (This closure will be spatially expanded because of recent activity of Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and Peregrine Falcons in the area);
The north side of Flagstaff Summit accessible from Flagstaff Summit parking area, 3.4 miles up Flagstaff Road and .5 miles up Flagstaff Summit Road;
Diamond Head and SoBo Buttress, west of Shadow Canyon;
The rock formation known as The Sphinx.
Because of the high-quality cliff habitat and rich food resources on OSMP lands, as well as community cooperation to protect nesting sites, the closed areas are important to the region for nesting falcons and eagles.
The City of Boulder has been monitoring raptor nesting and roosting areas since 1984. Sites are monitored by OSMP volunteers and staff. Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties of up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. In addition to enforcement, OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures, and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated.
As part of OSMP’s adaptive management framework, closures may be lifted prior to July 31 if no raptor activity is observed at any of these sites.
For more information on OSMP raptor closures, including maps of the affected areas, visit www.osmp.org or call 303-441-3440.
