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PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to review and provide a response to the COBOS analysis of Open Space trail projects recommended by Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO).
BACKGROUND
BATCO provided a list of recommended Open Space trail projects in a letter to the Open Space Board of Trustees dated January 25, 2000. The COBOS prepared an analysis of the BATCO recommendations for those trails that involved COBOS properties and presented it to the OSBT on Wednesday, July 12, 2000.
ANALYSIS
The Boulder Area Trails Coalition appreciates the time and effort the COBOS staff put into the analysis of our trail recommendations. It was heartening to see that we agree on the importance of most of the connections and on the feasibility of many of the alignments. The options the staff suggested were interesting. We hope to be able to discuss them in more detail in the future.
BATCO's short-term trail suggestions
COBOS Analysis: Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS) and city of Boulder Open Space (COBOS) own much of the land needed for this connection, but approximately two to three miles of this potential alignment are in private ownership and there are five to seven different landowners (depending on exact location of the trail). COBOS is very concerned about placing any new trails through the core area of West Beech due to high natural values of the area (designated as a Habitat Conservation Area, large block of unfragmented natural land, high quality grass and shrub communities, sensitive archaeological areas, rattlesnake denning area, raptor use of the Palisades). COBOS recently acquired a conservation easement on the Foothills Business Park and there may be an opportunity to connect the railroad grade to one of the service roads located on this easement. Other alternatives, such as using Left Hand Trail or the Boulder Feeder Canal, may prove to be more suitable and should be carefully evaluated.
BATCO Response: A connection from North Boulder to the County’s Heil Ranch trail system (which is presently under construction and is planned to eventually stretch from Left-Hand Canyon to Lyons) has been consistently identified as one of their highest priorities by BATCO’s the equestrian and mountain biking user groups (BCHA and BOA, in particular). The connection appears in the County Comprehensive Plan. We recognize the COBOS staff’s concerns about impacts to the core area of West Beech; but believe an acceptable alignment could and should be found to satisfy this extremely important trail. The staff’s suggestion of a possible connection via the railroad grade to one to the existing Foothills Business Park service roads and thus to the Joder trail alignment is encouraging. We would like to further pursue this alternative. Using the Left Hand Trail to avoid the West Beech property is less desirable (and may be less feasible due to private ownership issues), but could provide a roundabout connection to the Heil Trails. The Boulder Feeder Canal, although desirable on its own merits, provides no connection to the Heil Trails and, thus, is not a real alternative for this connection.
COBOS Analysis: Additional right-of-ways are needed from the Colorado State Highway Department and the Burlington Northern Railroad Company to complete this connection. The city Tributary Greenways Program is taking the lead in completing this connection and COBOS will assist as needed in securing necessary acquisitions or right-of ways.
BATCO Response: We appreciate the staff’s willingness to assist in securing this connection and will pursue it farther with the city Tributary Greenways Program.
COBOS Analysis: Approximately 0.6 miles of this connection are in private ownership and there are two parcels of private land. COBOS will coordinate with BCPOS in pursuing acquisition of land or easements required to complete this trail.
BATCO Response: We appreciate the staff’s support and pursuit of this connection.
COBOS Analysis: The COBOS currently owns a conservation easement on the IBM parcel and a trail easement was acquired for the city Transportation Department. Additional easements from the Colorado State Highway Department and the railroad company and extensive funding will be required to construct the Diagonal underpass. The Transportation Department is responsible for completing this trail and wetland permitting issues and potential impacts to prairie dogs will have to be addressed.
BATCO Response: We will pursue this connection with the city Transportation Department.
COBOS Analysis: Boulder County and COBOS currently own the majority of lands needed to construct this connection. Additional easements will be required from Boulder County Transportation along the section just north of Lookout Road and from the Colorado State Highway Department along Mineral Road. BCPOS and COBOS submitted a GOCO grant to complete this project estimated at $613,000 but only $35,377 was funded. Due to inadequate funding by GOCO, this year's funding was returned and future TEA 21 and/or GOCO funds will be pursued. Wetland permitting issues will also need to be addressed.
BATCO Response: We support Boulder County and COBOS staff’s efforts to create this connection from the County Comprehensive Plan. We suggest that the agencies consider constructing the trail in two stage. The first stage, from Lookout Road north to the Cottontail trail, provides a desirable connection to Gunbarrel trails and can be completed without great expense. We recommend that this stage be implemented in the short-term while applications for additional funding for the remaining section, north from Gunbarrel to Mineral Road, are in process. We also recommend that an alternative to the proposed underpass at Mineral Road be considered. An alignment connecting to an at-grade-crossing at the traffic light at the intersection of 79th Street and Mineral Road would greatly reduce the cost of completing the second portion of this connection.
COBOS Analysis: This trail connection was analyzed and addressed in the recent South Boulder Creek Area Management Plan. Actions addressed in this plan are to further evaluate potential options for trail connections from South Boulder Creek Trail to Dry Creek Trail and potential options for a trail which would provide a connection from Dry Creek Trail northeast to East Boulder Trail. The current Open Space lands south and west of Dry Creek Trailhead (the Suitts and St. Walburga properties) are not suitable for trail development because of potential impacts to wintering bald eagles, raptors, Preble's meadow jumping mouse, extensive wetlands, tallgrass areas, and Ute ladies'-tresses habitat.
Regarding the section of this connection from Dry Creek Trail northeast to East Boulder Trail, a potential conceptual alignment is currently available on the Open Space lands west of 75th Street to Dry Creek Trailhead. Potential impacts to the riparian area surrounding Dry Creek and habitat for Preble's meadow jumping mice would have to be carefully evaluated prior to completing this alignment. The Open Space lands east of 75th Street were not a part of the South Boulder Creek Area Management Plan and have not been thoroughly evaluated. The remainder of this potential route should be evaluated in the near future and construction completed after existing uses and future connections at Dry Creek have been resolved. If these lands are unavailable or impacts from various alignments on Open Space are determined to be unacceptable, these connections may not be completed, or on-street routes may be used.
BATCO Response: The alignments discussed by the staff appear in the County Comprehensive Plan and the South Boulder Creek Management Plan. Again, because of the significance of the connection, we suggest that the staff consider constructing the trail in three stages. Each of these stages provides an important connection in and of itself. Since there are invariably complications in the creation of any new trails in Boulder County it makes sense to pursue more than one connection at a time.
The first stage in this connection, from South Boulder Creek Trail to Dry Creek Trail, was discussed in detail during the public reviews of the South Boulder Creek Area Management Plan. At the time BATCO recommended that a trail to the south of the Baseline Reservoir be pursued. We felt that an alignment could be found that avoided significant environmental impacts while providing a safe, quality experience for open space visitors. We were also concerned that the staff’s recommended alignment to the north of the reservoir along Baseline Road could not be realistically achieved due to land ownership issues. After more than a year and a half, the staff is still evaluating the feasibility of acquiring easements or fee ownership of lands north of Baseline Reservoir to provide the trail connection. We would like to see this process accelerated or the southern alignment reconsidered. However, we strongly believe that issues with this portion of the overall connection should not prevent progress on the remaining portions of the overall connection.
We recommend that the remaining stages of this connection (from Teller Farm to 75th Street, and from 75th Street to the Dry Creek trailhead) be pursued in parallel with the negotiations to obtain rights-of-way for the first stage. Each of these connections are valuable as independent items. The connection from Teller Farm to 75th Street offers significant safety enhancements by allowing users to connect with the Teller Farm without having to travel along the shoulders of Arapahoe Road. An alignment via the COBOS owned Autrey and Swartz properties should be feasible (perhaps using some of the existing service roads). The connection from 75th Street to the Dry Creek trailhead will similarly remove users from 75th Street and Baseline Road and can be realized via existing COBOS properties.
G. From Marshall Mesa/Greenbelt Plateau east to Coalton Trail.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS currently owns the majority of land in this area and several options are being considered to make this connection. One option is to further evaluate a potential trail connection from Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead (at the northeast comer of Highway 93 and 128) east along the right-of-way of Highway 128 or adjacent COBOS lands to the southern end of Coalton Trail. Another option being considered is from COBOS lands along Marshall Road east to South 66"' Street, following South 66"' Street south to Coal Creek Drive into the town of Superior. Eventually a trail connection will be completed along McCaslin Boulevard to the eastern end of Coalton Trail and east to the Rock Creek/Coal Creek Trails. Use of the old service road on the East Varra property along Coal Creek or crossing Coal Creek at any point is not recommended because of potential impacts to the riparian area.
BATCO Response: Both the options discussed by the staff appear in the County Comprehensive Plan. The connection from Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead (at the northeast comer of Highway 93 and 128) east parallel to Highway 128 to the southern end of Coalton Trail seems feasible. It is essential that the alignment be sufficiently removed from the highway to provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience. Highway 128 presently experiences significant traffic density (including large trucks from the quary on Highway 93) and the density can only increase as Superior, Interlocken, and Broomefield continue to grow. Locating the trail on the north facing reverse slope to isolate it from the highway traffic whenever possible is most desirable. As the properties required for this connection are presently owned by COBOS it seems reasonable to begin pursuing a specific trail alignment.
The connection following Marshall Road to South 66"' Street and then south to Coal Creek Drive requires additional discussion. The portion of the trail that parallels Marshall Road to South 66th Street should again be removed from the immediate vicinity of the road for reasons of safety and quality. Here the old railroad grade may provide an excellent alignment. The trail alignments along South 66th and Coal Creek Drive will depend upon the City and County’s success in vacating and closing portions of the roads and on the ensuing traffic configurations.
BATCO's Top Ten Trail Connections
Five of BATCO's "Top Ten" trail connections are associated with COBOS. One of the five connections, the West Beech to Heil-Hall, was discussed in the previous section (Item A above) and the remainder of these connections are discussed below.
#7. B-D Turnpike at Superior.
COBOS Analysis: BCPOS is working with the surrounding communities of Louisville and Superior to acquire the additional lands needed to make this trail connection. COBOS will continue to work with BCPOS to complete the westward portion of this trail that would connect to Marshall Mesa (see G above).
BATCO Response: We appreciate the COBOS and BCPOS efforts on this connection and will pursue it farther with BCPOS.
#8. Denver Water aqueduct.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS recognizes the importance of this regional connection to Jefferson County and is evaluating several options on lands north of Highway 72. One option is to complete the trail connection outlined by BATCO along the Denver Water Board's existing ditch right-of-way. This option would require additional easements from the Denver Water Board and could impact important natural values in the area (large unfragmented natural area, bear habitat, birds, high quality grass, shrub, and forest communities). Other options to be further evaluated include a corridor along Highway 93 from the existing Flatirons Vista Trail or possibly from the south end of Coalton Trail through the western edge of Rocky Flats.
BATCO Response: We appreciate the staff’s recognition of the importance of this County Comprehensive Plan connection. We believe the alignment along the Denver Water Board's existing ditch right-of-way is the most desirable and feasible of the options suggested. A corridor along Highway 93 from the existing Flatirons Vista Trail suffers from similar safty and visitor quality issues to the suggested alignment in the Highway 128 right-of-way (see item G above, Marshall Mesa/Greenbelt Plateau east to Coalton Trail discussion). It is also unclear how this connection would continue once the quary boundary at the Jefferson County line is reached. A connection from the south end of Coalton Trail through the western edge of Rocky Flats is intriguing, but unlikely to occur until after the present Rocky Flats cleanup activities are completed (the earliest suggested date for completion is 2005, the government considers this to be an aggressive schedule, and the disposition of the properties once the cleanup is completed is undetermined). Rather than put this connection on indefinate hold we recommend discussions with Jefferson County and the Denver Water Board to clarify the other options and advance the evaluations.
#9. South Eldorado Canyon.
COBOS Analysis: A trail connection along the south side of Eldorado Canyon would primarily involve BCPOS and Eldorado Canyon State Park. These lands are extremely steep and rugged, posing a significant challenge for creating a multi-use trail. This area is also an important unfragmented natural area and provides prime habitat for large mammals (e.g., bears, mountain lions, and elk). The existing Eldorado Canyon Trail is owned and managed by BCPOS, COBOS, Boulder Mountain Parks, and Eldorado Canyon State Park. The first portion of this trail is extremely steep and would probably have to be rerouted in order to accommodate bicycle use. COBOS will continue to work with other agencies in this area to further evaluate potential trail connections. There is an existing road grade along the bottom of the canyon that connects from Eldorado Canyon State Park to Walker Ranch, but there is short section of private property that is owned by 6 to 8 different landowners.
BATCO Response: We support the staff’s intention to continue to work with other agencies to this County Comprehensive Plan connection. We have had positive contacts with Mountain Parks (see this year’s Mountain Parks Visitor Plan), Eldorado Canyon State Park, and BCPOS concerning the feasibility of rerouting portions of the existing Eldorado Canyon Trail to provide a multi-use connection to Walker Ranch. The impending acquisition of Mountain Parks properties by COBOS will probably reduce the number of agencies involved in this alignment.
The land owners along the existing road grade in the bottom of the canyon have made it quite clear that they are not interested in allowing public use of the road. Unless the COBOS is contemplating legal action to obtain a trail easement we doubt that this is a feasible connection. There is an existing multi-use trail on the south side of the canyon (the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail) that presently climbs to the level of the railroad grade. It could serve as the initial portion in a trail connection to the park property at Cresent Meadows. We agree with the staff that this alignment could have greater impacts than the northern one and ask the COBOS staff to help us pursue the existing northern trail alternative.
#10. Erie Rail Trail.
COBOS Analysis: The Union Pacific Railroad Company currently owns the entire length of this trail connection. Although not owned by the city of Boulder, potential impacts to surrounding Open Space and Mountain Parks lands would have to be carefully evaluated (extensive wetlands and plant animal habitat at Sawhill Ponds, White Rocks Nature Preserve, and the Heron Rookery east of 95"' Street).
BATCO Response: The Union Pacific Railroad alignment is identified as a trail alignment in the County Comprehensive Plan. The line is no longer in use (it has been paved over at 75th Street), but is still controlled by the railroad. There are existing trails at Sawhill and/or Walden Ponds that could be used to avoid impacts there. East of 75th Street the railroad line runs through farm fields to the south of Boulder Creek, the White Rocks Nature Preserve, and the Heron Rookery. As the staff notes in their response to the Boulder Creek trail alignment (item g below) this portion of the railroad alignment would avoid impacts to these areas. We support the staff’s recommendation to seek a trail easement from the railroad.
Other BATCO Trail Connections
COBOS Analysis: COBOS currently owns the land in this area and the route proposed by BATCO would formalize an undesignated social trail on the east side of Davidson Mesa, use an existing underpass under Highway 36, and create a new trail on the west side of Davidson Mesa. The South Boulder Creek Area Management Plan directs visitor use away from sensitive resource areas by closing and reclaiming undesignated trails and access points. The undesignated trail on the east side of Davidson Mesa runs through the middle of a Habitat Conservation Area and a new trail on the west side could impact other sensitive resources in the area (wetlands, largest parcels of tallgrass, rare plant species, raptor habitat, ground-nesting bird habitat, prairie dogs, migrating burrowing owls, and the area is part of a State Natural Area). The existing underpass at Highway 36 is very low (only 3 to 5 feet tall) and it is unknown at this time whether cleaning out the underpass could provide a useable corridor. COBOS does not recommend this alignment and other options should be further evaluated. Other options to consider include a corridor along Highway 36 from Louisville to South Boulder Creek Trail or connecting trails in this area by a combination of G and #7 described above.
BATCO Response: We would like to further pursue the options with the COBOS staff. An important issue here is providing a trail connection from Spanish Hills and Louisville to the existing COBOS properties. As a result of the South Boulder Creek Management Plan the historical accesses for these areas were closed. We believe an alternative should be provided for the local residents (many of whom are equestrians). We believe the existing underpass at Highway 36 can be cleaning out to provide a useable corridor. The equestrians we have contacted in the area have expressed a willingness to dismount and walk through the underpass in order to make use of the connection. In discussions with CNA directors we have been told that the designation of an area as a Colorado Natural Area should not negatively affect the likelihood of trail construction. We would support a rerouting of the undesignated social trails in the area to minimize impacts to the Conservation Areas. The intent here is not to gain access to those areas, but to provide a connection to other, open portions of COBOS open space.
Of the other options suggested, a corridor along Highway 36 from Louisville to South Boulder Creek Trail merits discussion if an alignment can be identified that will provide a safe connection for equestrian users. Connecting trails in this area by a combination of G and #7 described above seems unlikely. The underpasses proposed at Superior are too far to the south and are not intended for equestrian use.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS currently owns the majority of land in this area and there are several undesignated social trails that could potentially be used. A trail easement would have to be acquired on Damyanovich (COBOS has a conservation easement) and impacts to the drainage and surrounding wetlands should be avoided. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether one of these undesignated trails or a new alignment would provide the best connection.
BATCO Response: This connection has also been discussed in Item G above as a portion of a trail alignment from Marshall Mesa east to Coalton Trail. As noted there, we believe it is a desirable trail in itself and suggest the old railroad grade as a possible alignment.
COBOS Analysis: Other than right-of ways along Coal Creek Drive, COBOS currently owns the lands needed to construct this connection. The route proposed by BATCO would travel south from Coal Creek Drive across Coal Creek and climb a mesa to connect to Coalton Trail. COBOS is very concerned about potential impacts to prairie dogs, raptors, Preble's jumping mouse, and the riparian area along Coal Creek. The proposed trail would cross a section of the Coal Creek restoration project from Superior to the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon. Another option being considered is from COBOS lands along Marshall Road east to South 66th Street, following South 66th Street south to Coal Creek Drive into the town of Superior and eventually connecting to Rock Creek/Coal Creek Trails and to the eastern end of Coalton Trail (as described in G).
BATCO Response: We recognize COBOS staff’s concerns over impacts to Coal Creek and agree that trail alignments should avoid riparian areas. We do not believe that such concerns should prohibit any stream crossings. In depth discussions of this alignment can probably be postponed until after the resolution of the details of the possible connections from Marshall Road via South 66th Street and Coal Creek Drive to Superior and the Rock Creek/Coal Creek and Coalton Trails (as described in G). There are a number of north/south alignments that could be considered (including, as an example, the power line on the BCPOS property).
COBOS Analysis: Other than right-of-ways along Highway 93 and Community Ditch, COBOS currently owns the lands needed to construct this connection. A small 5 to 6 foot high underpass exists near the old restaurant ruins along Highway 93. The underpass was originally constructed as a cattle crossing and would be too low for equestrians to cross without dismounting. New trails would be required on both sides of Highway 36 and an easement and bridge would be necessary to cross Community Ditch.
BATCO Response: This item and the following one (C-128 underpass from Greenbelt Plateau to Flatirons Vista) are closely related. The primary issue here is providing a safe crossing of Highway 93 for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The existing grade-level crossing of Highway 93 at Community Ditch presents significant hazards to all users and the lack of safe crossings to the south from Greenbelt Plateau to Flatirons Vista presents similar risks to hikers and equestrians. We are anxious to pursue any solutions the staff can suggest to resolve these safety concerns. We are particularly interested in exploring the staff’s suggestion concerning the existing underpass near the old restaurant ruins along Highway 93. Our equestrian members (representatives of the BCHA) are willing to dismount and walk through that (or any of the other) underpass to avoid the dangers involved in attempting to cross the highway. Together with new trails along Highway 36 and a bridge over Community Ditch, this connection could resolve a long-standing problem before a real tragedy occurs.
COBOS Analysis: Other than right-of ways along Highway 93, COBOS currently owns the lands needed to construct this connection. There are currently two underpasses located along Coal Creek. Both underpasses were designed to allow the highways (Highway 128 and 93) to go over Coal Creek. Extensive modifications would be required to make a safe underpass for trail uses and probably would not be high enough for equestrians to cross without dismounting. This connection would create significant disturbance to the riparian area surrounding Coal Creek. This section of Coal Creek contains well-developed shrub and woodland communities, Preble's jumping mouse habitat, sensitive archaeological sites, and habitat for bears and bobcats. In addition to these concerns, a new trail would be required along the west side of Highway 93 to connect to Flatirons Vista Trail. Another option being considered is to create a new underpass along Highway 93 (somewhere north of Highway 128) or use of the underpass near the old restaurant ruins and construct a new trail along the west side of Highway 93 to connect to Flatirons Vista.
BATCO Response: This item and the preceding one (item d, C-93 underpass from Greenbelt Plateau to Doudy Draw) are closely related. The issue is a safe crossing of the highway. See the preceding item d discussion for details.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS and Mountain Parks currently own much of the land needed for this connection, but the lower end of Chapman Drive is privately owned (approximately 1 mile of this potential alignment). Repeated efforts in the past have been unsuccessful in opening this road for trail purposes. Further evaluation of this alignment is not recommended until planning efforts have been fully integrated and a new department has been created.
BATCO Response: We appreciate COBOS and Mountain Parks staff’s previous efforts to open this alignment for trail uses. We accept staff’s recommendation to defer further evaluation of this alignment until the impending consolidation of COBOS and Mountain Parks has been completed.
COBOS Analysis: BCPOS and COBOS own much of the land needed for this connection, but there are several parcels under private ownership. Impacts to the riparian area along Boulder Creek would be significant and other sensitive resources could be disturbed (extensive wetlands, raptor and waterfowl habitat, White Rocks State Natural Area, and the Heron Rookery east of 95th Street). Further evaluation of this alignment is not recommended and staff should focus its efforts on acquiring a trail easement along the Union Pacific rail line (described in #10 above).
BATCO Response: We support the staff’s recommendation to focus its efforts on acquiring a trail easement along the Union Pacific rail line (described in #10 above). The Union Pacific Railroad alignment and the eastern portion of Boulder Creek are identified as trail alignments in the County Comprehensive Plan. The BCPOS is presently involved in a restoration project along Boulder Creek that includes a trail system. We support the staff’s desire to avoid impacts to the riparian area along Boulder Creek and to other sensitive resources. There are existing trails at Sawhill and/or Walden Ponds that could be used to avoid impacts in that area. East of 75th Street the railroad line runs through farm fields to the south of Boulder Creek, the White Rocks Nature Preserve, and the Heron Rookery. Once passed these areas the Union Pacific rail line trail could then connect with the BCPOS east Boulder Creek trails.
COBOS Analysis: BCPOS and COBOS own some of the land needed for this connection, but much of the land remains in private ownership. The land south of Lookout Road is part of the Gunbarrel General Improvement District and BCPOS will take the lead in further evaluation of trails in this area. COBOS owns a small portion of land around Twin Lakes and is willing to cooperate on any trails necessary in this area. The remainder of this trail connection is located north of Lookout Road and COBOS and BCPOS own the majority of land. A small section of land or easements are required to connect from Lookout Road to the Monarch Trail. The remainder of this connection is discussed in E above.
BATCO Response: We support the BCPOS and COBOS efforts to provide connections in these areas as discussed in E above.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS owns much of the land surrounding 51st Street that would be required to complete this trail. The remainder of the surrounding lands is in private ownership and acquisition would be costly due to the developed nature of this area. COBOS recommends staff work with Boulder County Transportation to further evaluate a trail easement along the 51st Street right-of-way.
BATCO Response: COBOS now owns all the land between Jay Rd and Kelso Road west of N 51st St (behind the private property along the road). We believe an excellent trail connection from the northeast part of town to Boulder Valley Ranch could be created there via the Lousberg, Gallagher, North Central Boulder Park, and Boulder Warehouse properties. The alignment could incorporate the west end of Kelso Road, which is an old dirt road that goes up to Boulder Warehouse and Papini, then turn right to the Hidden Valley/Degge trail area at Boulder Valley Ranch. As we have previously noted several times, a trail alignment along a road right-of-way involves significant safety hazards and offers a poor visitor experience. We should make a serious effort to find alternatives to roadway alignments.
COBOS Analysis: COBOS owns much of the land needed for this connection, but acquisition of additional lands to the north would minimize impacts to prairie dogs and raptors (bald eagles and an osprey nest site) on existing Open Space lands. COBOS will continue to focus its efforts to acquire these lands and further evaluate a trail alignment as these lands become available.
BATCO Response: We encourage the staff continued attention to this connection. It has been several years since the Axleson alignment was first identified in the North Boulder Valley Management Plan. We would be happy to do anything we can to help expedite the process.
COBOS Analysis: The majority of this land is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and managed by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD). Portions of the canal are privately owned and will require acquisition of trail easements. COBOS and BCPOS have been working with NCWCD to develop a policy for recreational use of their waterways. The NCWCD board approved their recreational use policy at their meeting on June 9. This blanket policy "opens the door" for agencies to submit specific project proposals for their review. COBOS has also been meeting with city Water Quality staff on water quality concerns associated with trail use of the feeder canal. Water Quality has contracted CH Diagnostic to review existing state and federal legislation and develop a report that summarizes existing laws related to recreational use near drinking water sources and list of specific water quality concerns associated with this project. A section of the draft report was reviewed on June 29 and staff will provide additional comments in the next few weeks. The contractor will incorporate our revisions and try to address any issues identified.
Open Space and Water Quality will then prepare staff recommendations concerning the trail project and review them with upper management. The recommendations will be refined and reviewed with the public and other boards as necessary.
If the city (both Open Space and Public Works) comes to an agreement on resolving water quality issues, Open Space will submit a project to NCWCD to complete the section of trail from Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road. If the first section of trail is approved and successful with NCWCD, Boulder County will submit a project to complete the remainder of the trail to Lyons.
BATCO Response: We have been involved in the initial stages of planning for the proposed Feeder Canal trail. We support this major alignment from the County Comprehensive Plan and will be glad to provide whatever assistance we can to the COBOS and BCPOS staff in developing the project. The southern two thirds of the canal right-of-way (from Boulder Reservoir to Nelson Road) contains no privately own segments that could interfere with the alignment. The first section of trail from Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road is surrounded by publicly owned land (COBOS and Boulder Parks). We believe the Boulder Public Works Department’s water quality concerns are can be resolved. The BCPOS staff has discussed this trail alignment with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. From the Department’s perspective, this trail alignment will have insignificant impact on the City’s water quality and even those impact can be mitigated. Hopefully we can resolve theses issues and move forward with the project.
IN CONCLUSION
BATCO appreciates the efforts of COBOS in reviewing our recommendations and their suggestions to assist in completing a countywide trail system. BATCO will continue to work with any interested parties to pursue appropriate connections to realize the trail system. We encourage further discussion, analysis, and the development of specific alignments for these potential trail connections. We will provide the COBOS staff whatever aid and assistance we can. We would appreciate being included in the process.