Open Space Advisory Board 2018 05 09 Final Minutes

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes May 9, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Jeff explained that system -wide, there are 3 different types of properties in terms of prairie dogs (PDs), and noted that between 2016 & 2017, all categories increased (30- 35% for HCA and MOA, 4% for NPD Chris Barnes, 350 W Lucerne Dr, Lafayette asked why there was an increase in prairie dog colonization on NPD lands. Jeff said a large portion of the increased % is on one property, and Boulder doesn't have enough staff during the time-limited "window" to reduce it. He also noted that it's challenging to reduce these numbers if burrowing owls are present. Laurie Thayer asked if the machines used are the same throughout county, Jeff said yes. Tenants can also do removal, with input from Boulder staff. Ember asked a question on behalf of Jim Gibb: If a colony expands, is the tenant reimbursed for that portion of unusable land? Jeff said yes. Jeff noted that south county grassland is an HCA for prairie dogs in conjunction with Rocky Flats; he hopes to increase colony size enough to re -introduce black footed ferrets. Laurie asked about plan to re -introduce ferrets, which needs at least 10k acres, given that county won't accept prairie dogs removed from other properties. Jeff said natural populations are growing enough that adding from other properties is not needed or beneficial. Relocations are expensive and can be disruptive to existing colonies as well. Laurie Thayer noted that the developer would pay and that Jeff's responses were inadequate. B. Mayhoffer Farm Acquisition Overview The recent Mayhoffer Farm acquisition is 200 acres, 165 of which are designated as agricultural and for passive recreation. All mineral rights were included in this purchase. There are 3 private lots with existing historic structures (34.2 acres), and covenants to limit what property owners can do/not do are in place. The water infrastructure cost $452k (one-time cost; not sure what annual costs will be as tenant wants to farm more intensively than Mayhoffers did). Joint owners are currently installing fencing between Open Space and residential lots. Trail potential still needs to be discussed. Laura asked if there is a plan for a public process for input into development ideas. Rob noted that the citizen boards would provide input as public representatives. Laura noted that communicating status to community is important, as so many residents are interested in the property. Jeff said he supports community input for the non-agricultural uses of the property. Fiona asked if riparian areas need remediation; Rob noted that most of this is within the privately owned property and is not Open Space. IX. Discussion Item: Trail/Land Collaborative Opportunities Jeff mentioned social trails on the Callahan property (west of Goodhue Ditch) and the possibility of turning some of those into established trails. This western part is considered agricultural (as is the eastern part) and technically closed but is not being # of acres colonized Type Description Acres 2016 2017 HCA - Habitat conservation area Prairie dogs encouraged 3,326 834 1171 MOA - Multiple objective areas Prairie dogs managed 4,419 1175 1341 NPD - No Prairie Dog zones Leased & irrigated agricultural lands 17,198 392 679 Chris Barnes, 350 W Lucerne Dr, Lafayette asked why there was an increase in prairie dog colonization on NPD lands. Jeff said a large portion of the increased % is on one property, and Boulder doesn't have enough staff during the time-limited "window" to reduce it. He also noted that it's challenging to reduce these numbers if burrowing owls are present. Laurie Thayer asked if the machines used are the same throughout county, Jeff said yes. Tenants can also do removal, with input from Boulder staff. Ember asked a question on behalf of Jim Gibb: If a colony expands, is the tenant reimbursed for that portion of unusable land? Jeff said yes. Jeff noted that south county grassland is an HCA for prairie dogs in conjunction with Rocky Flats; he hopes to increase colony size enough to re -introduce black footed ferrets. Laurie asked about plan to re -introduce ferrets, which needs at least 10k acres, given that county won't accept prairie dogs removed from other properties. Jeff said natural populations are growing enough that adding from other properties is not needed or beneficial. Relocations are expensive and can be disruptive to existing colonies as well. Laurie Thayer noted that the developer would pay and that Jeff's responses were inadequate. B. Mayhoffer Farm Acquisition Overview The recent Mayhoffer Farm acquisition is 200 acres, 165 of which are designated as agricultural and for passive recreation. All mineral rights were included in this purchase. There are 3 private lots with existing historic structures (34.2 acres), and covenants to limit what property owners can do/not do are in place. The water infrastructure cost $452k (one-time cost; not sure what annual costs will be as tenant wants to farm more intensively than Mayhoffers did). Joint owners are currently installing fencing between Open Space and residential lots. Trail potential still needs to be discussed. Laura asked if there is a plan for a public process for input into development ideas. Rob noted that the citizen boards would provide input as public representatives. Laura noted that communicating status to community is important, as so many residents are interested in the property. Jeff said he supports community input for the non-agricultural uses of the property. Fiona asked if riparian areas need remediation; Rob noted that most of this is within the privately owned property and is not Open Space. IX. Discussion Item: Trail/Land Collaborative Opportunities Jeff mentioned social trails on the Callahan property (west of Goodhue Ditch) and the possibility of turning some of those into established trails. This western part is considered agricultural (as is the eastern part) and technically closed but is not being