Posts tagged removal
Noxious weeds on the city’s “hit” list
May 2nd
As a result of a state mandate to eliminate “List A” noxious weed species from all public and private property in Colorado communities, the City of Boulder is proposing an update to its existing weed ordinance to require property owners to remove the weeds from all properties.
“List A” weed species, as provided in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, are plants that have yet to be well established in Colorado but are either present in small populations or are invasive in nearby states. There are two species of “List A” weeds that are of most concern within Boulder’s city limits: myrtle spurge and Japanese knotweed. The city was awarded a grant through the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Management Fund to assist in an educational plan.
“Early detection and eradication of these particular species can prevent them from becoming a major problem in Colorado,” said city Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Rella Abernathy. “Most of these plants are ‘escaped’ ornamental plants and many residents may not realize that they present a threat to the natural lands surrounding Boulder and are illegal to grow here.”
These noxious, invasive plants can negatively impact biodiversity, threaten endangered species, degrade native habitat, displace wildlife, increase soil erosion, damage streams and other wetlands and increase the risk and frequency of wildfires if allowed to spread. Boulder is in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act on city-owned properties but has not been enforcing the statue on private property.
The city will focus on education and outreach to notify the public of the requirements and to provide information for identification, environmentally-sound weed removal and suggested replacement plant options.
“A soft enforcement approach is being implemented with voluntary compliance being the goal and enforcement action being a last resort,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Jennifer Riley. “However, ticketing is possible if property owners do not comply with repeated requests from officers to address illegal weeds.”
Education will begin with a “Purge Your Spurge” event on May 18 where residents are encouraged to pull their myrtle spurge and exchange it for free native plants. This event will occur as part of Boulder Community Day at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other education efforts will include a webpage; fact sheets; media engagement; outreach to nurseries, landscapers and lawn care companies; and code enforcement officers who assist with education in the field.
“Identifying and removing noxious weeds from private property can take some effort, but it’s important to prevent these weeds from spreading to our neighbors’ yards and ultimately to natural areas,” said Abernathy. “Fortunately, only two of the weeds from the list are widespread within the Boulder city limits, myrtle spurge being the most common. We want to make sure people can easily identify the weeds, know how to remove them safely and know what native plants can be used to replace them.”
Myrtle spurge has been commonly used as a decorative plant. People should be aware that it contains a white sap that can cause skin irritation including blistering if touched. Those removing it should wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves and eye protection. Removing at least four inches of the root is recommended to prevent its return. It should be placed in a plastic bag and tightly fastened. DON’T compost noxious weeds as that will cause the weed to spread.
The city’s weed ordinance is expected to be modified through a City Manager rule change, which will be published in the Daily Camera on May 3, as well as on the city’s website. Public feedback will be accepted until May 20. The rule is anticipated to go into effect on June 1, 2013.
For more information or to provide feedback on the proposed City Manager’s rule, contact Rella Abernathy at 303-441-1901.
— CITY OF BOULDER NEWS RELEASE –
[includeme src=”http://c1n.tv/boulder/media/bouldersponsors.html” frameborder=”0″ width=”670″ height=”300″]
City of Boulder: Nightmare on Arapahoe postponed due to snow
Apr 8th
With a winter storm warning in effect for Boulder, the tree removal work that was planned for Tuesday, April 9, and Friday, April 12, has been rescheduled to April 15 due to the inclement weather forecast.
On Monday, April 15, there will be intermittent lane closures in both directions on Arapahoe Avenue between 18th and 19th streets from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contractors working for the City of Boulder Urban Forestry Division will be removing three high-risk trees in preparation for the upcoming Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project. The two-lane section of Arapahoe Avenue, between Folsom and 17th streets, is in poor condition and in need of a reconstruction.
During the tree removals, traffic will be directed into the center lane. The work schedule is weather-dependent.
In the 1800 block of Arapahoe Avenue, two silver maple trees with significant trunk cavities and restricted root zones will be removed for safety reasons. In the 2100 block, a Siberian elm will be removed due to past storm damage. These are the only large trees planned for removal as part of the Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction. The city has contacted adjacent property owners in advance and will explore opportunities to plant replacement trees.
The city’s Urban Forestry Division inspects street trees in neighborhoods and parks for structural integrity and safety using industry-set standards and techniques. For more information about the tree removals, contact Patrick Bohin with the Urban Forestry Division at 303-519-8750 or watch the video at vimeo.com/63247248.
The Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project includes reconstruction of the street into concrete, storm drainage improvements, and sidewalk, bus stop, and landscaping improvements, as space and funding allow.The reconstruction is planned to begin in late May 2013 and will be completed in fall 2013. The project is funded by the 2011 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond, which allowed the city to leverage existing revenues to bond for approximately $49 million to fund projects that address significant deficiencies, such as this one, and high priority infrastructure improvements. A community stakeholder committee prioritized projects to be funded by the bond and Arapahoe improvements were given a high priority due to current deteriorating conditions.
For more information about the Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project, contact Noreen Walsh at 303-441-3266 or visit www.bouldertransportation.net > “Projects & Programs” > “Arapahoe Avenue.”
[includeme src=”http://c1n.tv/boulder/media/bouldersponsors.html” frameborder=”0″ width=”670″ height=”300″]
City of Boulder: Input on prairie dog relocation sought
Apr 8th
900 Prairie dogs slated for move
A public meeting is scheduled to discuss a city proposal to relocate up to 900 prairie dogs from city-owned land around Foothills Community Park and from additional open space colonies to city open space land east of Highway 93, south of Coal Creek, and north of Highway 128, south of Boulder. This number has been scaled back to reflect on-the-ground and projected drought conditions. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, in the Foothills Elementary School Cafeteria, 1001 Hawthorn Ave. Staff from the city will be available to answer any questions, and to receive comments and feedback.
The city is intending to apply for a State of Colorado permit to relocate the prairie dogs from these areas, which are designated as removal areas in the Urban Wildlife Management Plan and the Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan.
The proposed receiving site was previously the site of an extensive 155-acre prairie dog colony that has since died off. The prairie dogs are being removed from multiple city sites with the dogs near Foothills Community Park being moved first.
CITY OF BOULDER PRESS RELEASE– FOR THOSE TOO IGNORANT TO KNOW HOW THE BUSINESS WORKS
[includeme src=”http://c1n.tv/boulder/media/bouldersponsors.html” frameborder=”0″ width=”670″ height=”300″]