HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.ord.036.2001 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITHIN COUNTY,COLORADO
ADOPTING THE JAMES H. SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT`/PLAN
ORDINANCE #016 (Q
RECITALS
1. On June 13, 2001, the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance #01-026
authorizing the County to enter into a contract with Joy Smith for the purchase of the James
H. Smith Open Space, which contract provides that the parties will agree on a Management
Plan for the property prior to closing.
2. The Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance #004-2001, where article 2-4
states "in consultation with the Board of Open Space Trustees, the Board of County
Commissioners may adopt individualized management plans for specific Open Space and
Trails Properties".
3. The James H. Smith North Star Open Space contains outstanding ecological and scenic
resources and may also provide public recreational opportunities, which include hiking,
wildlife viewing,nordic skiing, canoeing and kayaking.
4. The Open Space and Trails Board has approved and recommends for adoption the James H.
Smith North Star Open Space Resource Management Plan ("Plan"), dated August 1, 2001,
which balances recreational opportunities with protection of the James H. Smith North Star
Open Space ecology and wildlife.
5. Joy Smith has agreed to the terms of the Plan subject to a condition her conveyance will be
subject to a deed restriction prohibiting residential use of the property, and that the buyer(s)
will execute a perpetual license agreement guaranteeing her and her immediate family access
to her father's memorial.
6. The Board of County Commissioners has the authority to adopt the Plan under Colorado
Statutory and Constitutional law including, but not limited to, the provisions of the Colorado
Revised Statutes, Title 30, Articles 11, 15, 28 and 35.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin
County, Colorado that:
1. The James H. Smith North Star Open Space Resource Management Plan is hereby adopted;
2. The Plan is governed by Title 9 of the Pitkin County Land Use Code, and is enforceable as if
set for therein.
3. A summary of rules and regulations shall be posted on the property at all times;
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4. County staff will monitor use and condition of the property to determine that regulations are
effective in controlling impacts;
5. The Plan shall be revisited within three years.
6. The County will accept the conveyance of the Property, as described in Ordnance #01-026,
subject to a deed restriction prohibiting residential use.
7. The Chair is further authorized to execute a perpetual license agreement guaranteeing Joy
Smith, and her immediate family, access to her father's memorial, subject to the approval of
the form of this document by the County Attorney and Open Space Director.
INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING, BY THE BOARD AT
ITS REGULAR MEETING ON THE 8th DAY OF AUGUST, 2001.
PUBLISHED, INCLUDING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, IN THE ASPEN TIMES ON
THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2001.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED UPON SECOND READING AND AFTER A DULY-
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING BY A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD AT ITS REGULAR
MEETING ON THE 22ND DAY OF AUGUST, 2001.
PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE ASPEN TIMES ON THE ls` DAY OF
SEPTEMBER, 2001.
Copies of the proposed James H. Smith North Star Open Space Resource Management Plan are
available for public inspection from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the office of the Clerk and
Recorder, 506 East Main, Aspen, Colorado 81611 and on the Pitkin County Web Site at
http://www.pitkingov.com. Phone (970) 920-5180.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PI CIN COUNTY, C��O�rLLpORADO A TE
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Mick Ireland 04d fi,,�3 O/(Date) Jeanhfa Jones (Date)
Chair Cle &Recorder
RE O MENDED YqR APPROVAL: APLPRO/VED' AS TO FORM:
e Will (D e) Jeff � K^AV kw, M (Date)
Director of Open Space and Trails pal.County Attorney
MANAGER APP OVAL:
>�� � <7 � g � of
Hilary Sn i (Date)
County Manager
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JAMES H . SMITH
NORTH STAR OPEN
SPACE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
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JAMES H. SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE
INTERIM MANAGEMENT PLAN
AUGUST 8,2001
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The acquisition of the 70+ acre James H. Smith North Star Open Space ("the Property")
is a highly significant conservation achievement for the upper valley. The Property links
Pitkin County's 174 acre North Star Nature Preserve with the 65 acre Aspen Center for
Environmental Studies (ACES) parcel. Together, these conserved properties comprise a
309 acre expanse of preserved open space containing significant wetland and riparian
ecological communities and wildlife habitat, only minutes from downtown Aspen. The
North Star Nature Preserve and the Property offer opportunities for limited public
recreational use, managed to minimize impacts to the ecological values of the properties.
This preliminary management plan reflects the significant ecological communities within
the Property. The regulations and management guidelines put forth in this document are
based on simple ecological assessments of the Property conducted by Stephen Ellsperman,
Jonathan Lowsky, and Lisa Tasker in June 2001 as well as a familiarity with the ecological
systems that occur in the area surrounding the property. This Plan highlights those areas
that are ecologically important and consequently warrant conservation emphasis and
identifies some potential threats to the persistence of the biological resources of the
Property. This Management Plan is consistent with the management plan for the
neighboring North Star Nature Preserve, and written to complement that plan. A fully
developed resource management plan will be developed by City of Aspen and Pitkin
County staff once the Property is transferred and biological inventories are completed
according to the 2000 Pitkin County Open Space Biological Inventory and Monitoring
Protocols. This interim plan will serve for the first three years or less of public
ownership, until a full Resource Management Plan is developed.
2.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES
Perpetuate and restore the mosaic of high quality native plant communities.
Maintain viable populations of all native fauna currently living on the property.
Special emphasis will be focused on great blue herons, mountain toads, soras and other
vl
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3
wading birds, and riparian obligate songbirds.
♦ Maintain and restore the hydrological regime of the property that supports its
ecological communities.
• Promote environmental and ecological interpretive opportunities.
• Provide limited recreational opportunities that complement the ecological values of the
open space.
♦ Control non-native and noxious weeds via a long-range integrated pest management
approach and restoration of native plant communities.
♦ Create a seamless connection to the neighboring protected areas; Augment
preservation achievements of neighboring North Star Nature Preserve and ACES
property.
3.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
3.1 Acquisition
The James H. Smith North Star Open Space was acquired and is managed jointly by Pitkin
County Open Space and Trails and the City of Aspen. The 70-acre Property abuts the 174-
acre County-owned North Star Nature Preserve.
3.1.1 Pre-Existing Encumbrances
Right of Way Deed granted to Roaring Fork Water, Light and Power; December 4, 1933.
Agreement between James H. Smith and Robert Lewis water rights for the purpose of
irrigating land bought from Smith, and associated costs; October 7, 1976
Agreement for Use of Water Rights between James H. Smith and The Nature Conservancy ;
Novermber 30`h, 1977
Trails and Trails Facilities Easement Agreement for the East of Aspen Trail on the eastern
portion of the property; September 26, 1996.
3.1.2 Water Rights
Two-thirds of a one-third interest in the U.S. Green Ditch No. 1, having a priority date of
June 1, 1948, designated as Ditch No. 405 in Water district No. 38, as priority No. 579,
adjudicated for a total of three cubic feet per second, subject to the Agreement for
irrigation on the adjoining 2.1 acre property as recorded in Book 339 at Page 543.
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 4
3.2 Physical Characteristics
The Property was historically part of the larger agricultural parcel, North Star Ranch,
which included North Star Nature Preserve and much of what is now the Preserve
subdivision. Much of the property still possesses signs of an agricultural past (e.g., The hay
fields, corrals, and gravel excavation areas). With the decline of agricultural use, distinct
willow communities have developed on the property. The Roaring Fork River meanders
north and east across the property in a serpentine pattern that has deposited numerous
"beaches" lining the inside of these bends in the river. The western part of the property
includes slopes that form the toe of the Richmond Ridge.
3.2.1 Location
The property is approximately 2.5 miles south east of downtown Aspen on Colorado State
Highway 82 (Township 10S Range 84W Section 20). The 70 acre property links the 174
acre North Star Nature Preserve with a 65-acre parcel held by the Aspen Center for
Environmental Studies. These properties once comprised North Star Ranch, established
by the Smith family in 1949.
3.2 Irrigation
All water rights will be maintained for wetlands and vegetation restoration purposes.
3.3 Land Use Considerations
3.3.1 Context of Properties
As stated above, the acquisition of the James H. Smith North Star Open Space is the
missing element in efforts by Pitkin County and ACES to connect the North Star Nature
Preserve and the ACES parcel. While the properties are owned and managed separately,
together they protect over 300 acres of wildlife habitat and scenic open space along the
Highway 82 corridor only minutes from downtown Aspen. Efforts to protect the parcels
that once comprised historic North Star Ranch date back to the 1970s when James H.
Smith sold 174 acres of his agricultural operation to The Nature Conservancy. TNC
subsequently conveyed the Nature Preserve to Pitkin County. In 1999, Pitkin County
pursued a lengthy and in-depth public process to create the North Star Resource
Management Plan. Management decisions for the Property were made in the context of
the permitted uses and regulations on this neighboring Nature Preserve.
3.3.2 Adjacent Land Use and Ownership
The North Star Nature Preserve borders the Property to the north. The White River
National Forest (WRNF) lies to the west. Most of the southern border is shared with a 65
acre parcel owned by ACES. The southeast corner abuts the Robert Lewis residence
(Figure 1). The Property is bordered by Pitkin County's East of Aspen Trail to the east,
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 5
with Colorado State Highway 82 running parallel to the trail. Across the highway is a
strip of residential parcels that border WRNF to the east.
3.3.3 Current Leases
Currently, there are no leases of any part of the property.
4.0 VEGETATIONAL RESOURCES
Some general comments can be made about the vegetation and the vegetation communities
currently occurring on the east/southeast side of the property from "walk-throughs" and 2
willow canopy transects conducted in June 2001. One transect was subjectively placed in
the thin willow band along the Roaring Fork on the eastern-most bend of the river to get a
representative sample of the overstory composition. Another transect was subjectively
placed in the willow/wetland area on the east/southeast side of the property and north of
the river and across from the heron rookeries.
Five species of willows have been documented on the property to date. They include Salix
drummondiana (Drummond's willow), Salix monticola (yellow or mountain willow), Salix
lasiandra var. caudata (whiplash willow), Salix geyeriana (Geyer's willow), and Salix
bebbiana (Bebb willow). Two more species are near by, Salix exigua (coyote or sandbar
willow) and Salix boothii (Booth's willow) and may be found on the property with further
assessments. Finding 5-7 species of willow represents a extraordinarily diverse assemblage
of willow species for one riparian/wetland site of this size in Colorado.
The two sites sampled were chosen due to their potential ecological significance. It
appears that Drummond's willow may be the dominant willow along the Roaring Fork
River banks where willows are recolonizing after a history of grazing. Continuous grazing
would have eliminated much of the willow stands, as did management practices of that era.
However Whiplash willow cover was also very high along the river site transect and may
prove to be a significant part of the existing willow bands riverside.
Within the willow/wetland site along the east side of the property, east of the river,
Drummond's willow again had the highest percent-cover on the single, sampled transect.
Further investigation, however, and more transects will need to be done to confirm this.
Mountain willow was almost as prevalent as Drummond's along the sampled transect and
may prove to be more dominant. The principal understory species appear to be Carices or
sedges, indicative of a relatively consistent high water table.
Extensive fieldwork has been done in riparian and wetland plant communities in Colorado
in conjunction with work in other western states that provides a wealth of insights into
these plant assemblages. Subsequently these plant communities have been defined and
ranked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). The willow-dominated
communities cannot be placed into CNHP's riparian plant community classifications with
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8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 6
certainty yet, but the present data indicates they will most likely be placed into one of the
following communities:
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Willow/Wetland site, southeast side of property:
Salix drummondiana/Carex utriculata Shrubland Global/State Rank:
GU/S3•
Drummond Willow/Beaked Sedge
Salix monticola/Carex utriculata Shrubland
Mountain Willow/Beaked Sedge Global/State Rank: G3/S3°
Willow band, east side of property, eastern most section of the Roaring Fork River:
Salix drummondiana-Salix monticola/ Mesic Forb Shrubland
Drummond Willow/Mesic Forb Global/State Rank: G4/S49
It is important to note, however, that the Drummond Willow/Mesic Forb community
appears to occur only along this section of the Roaring Fork within the North Star Nature
Preserve and the Property and perhaps a relatively short distance upstream until you get
out of the flat, open, flood-plain areas where other species will dominate. Therefore this
community is significant within the Roaring Fork watershed. The willow/sedge
communities on the S/SE section of the Property are exemplary, ecologically significant
areas. Being considered both rare and threatened in Colorado, these occurrences are in
excellent shape and worthy of the utmost protection and stewardship. Further inspection
west of the river may yield equal discoveries from a plant community perspective.
Other Comments regarding vegetation:
The claim can be made that the two most important forces driving plant species to rarity
and extinction and then their animal-dependent counterparts are (P. Stedman-Edwards,
1997):
1. 1. The conversion of land for human purposes; and
2. The accidental or intentional introductions of alien, non-indigenous or non-native,
and invasive species.
• Global rank is based on the range-wide status of the species and state rank is based on the status within Colorado.
Globally,a G3 means the association is very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range(21
to 100 occurrences). Overall,G3 means the association is threatened throughout its range. GU indicates the inability to
assign a global rank due to a lack of available information. S3 indicates the association is rare in the state with few
occurrences documented. It also implies the association is threatened by recreational use,inappropriate stream flow
alterations,and/or improper livestock grazing. G4 means the association is apparently secure globally,though it may be
quite rare in parts of its range,especially at the periphery. S4 indicates the association is`...apparently secure in the state
with more than 100 occurrences"(CNHP 1999). G/
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810812001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 8
With this in mind, the Property has elements of both of these land changes, but for the
most part the wetland and riparian plant communities are highly significant, with
excellent examples of both state and globally ranked plant associations that are in
exemplary shape. The willow/wetland site, described above, is an especially exemplary
example of whichever plant community it represents, either Drummond Willow/ Beaked
Sedge or Yellow Willow/ Beaked Sedge.
SPECIES OF NOTE ON THE EAST OF THE PROPERTY AND ROARING FORK RIVER:
Northern Green Bog Orchid,Limnorchis hyporborea:
Found in the willow/wetland site just south of the driveway and south/southeast along the river.
Orchids are not common on the western landscape as wetland and riparian areas are only a small
portion of the and mountain west (around 2%). Therefore finding orchids is always interesting
and indicative of a site typically in good to excellent condition. The Northern Green Bog Orchid
is fairly circumboreal in its range, but within the Roaring Fork Valley it is found only in wetland
sites that are not degraded or altered and only then is it occasionally seen.
Bog or Swamp Wintergreen,Pyrola rotundifolia L. subsp. asarifolia
This has escaped extirpation on the property during grazing because individuals growing directly
underneath just a few willows acquired refuge. This is not a common find and a few scattered
plants also occur within the willow/wetland described above and were probably more extensive
on the property before grazing, as were many species. It is interesting to note that Bog
Wintergreen is typically considered to be a subalpine species and very vulnerable to disturbance
(unless it's under a willow!).
Purple Avens, Geum rivale.
Found between the Narrowleaf Cottonwood/Common Chokecherry community, on the
southeast corner of the property and in the willow/wetland site described above. This forb will be
a new herbarium record for Pitkin County at the largest herbarium in the Rocky Mountain west,
the University of Colorado Herbarium in Boulder. The property supports a very large population
of these beautiful and botanically interesting species also more typically found at subalpine sites
when such an unusual find is discovered.
Management Action Steps: VEGETATION
The guiding principal of all management actions should be to minimize any impacts that
may reduce the abilities of the riparian, wetland and upland areas to support existing
native plants and native plant associations. Activities on the eastern portion of the
property should be exercised in a manner compatible with this overall guiding principal.
Overall management actions should attempt to maintain or enhance existing native plant
communities and improve the quality of wildlife habitat on the property.
Management Action Objectives for Vegetation on the Riparian, Wetland and Upland sites:
♦ Maintain or increase the number of native plant species.
♦ Maintain or increase the existing number of uncommon native plant species.
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 9
• Maintain or increase the existing number of occurrences of uncommon plant
species.
Reduce the abundance of invasive and noxious non-native species present.
Prevent the establishment of and spread of invasive and noxious non-native species
that have not been previously encountered.
Maintain or increase the existing number and types of plant associations dominated
by native plants.
• Maintain or increase the vegetation quality for each plant association or for any
associations identified in the future.
Maintain or increase the aerial extent of the existing native shrublands.
Maintain or increase the aerial extent of the existing riparian areas.
Maintain or increase the aerial extent of the existing wetland areas.
5.0 SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Ecological studies and inventories conducted at North Star Ranch over the years have
revealed that the existing ecological complex supports a high level of biological diversity:
14 species of small mammals (e.g., mice, voles, shrews, squirrels); at least 107 species of
birds, more than 43 of which are likely to breed on or around the property (including at
least 4 U.S. Forest Service Region 2 Designated "Sensitive" species); 13 medium to large
mammals (e.g., elk, coyote, black bear, bobcat); 3 species of amphibian (including the
mountain [or boreal] toad which is a "warranted but precluded" Candidate species under
the U.S. Endangered Species Act); and one reptile species (western terrestrial garter snake).
There is some history of elk calving in the aspen of the alluvial fans (approximately May
15th to June 15th) on the Property. Historically, as many as 50 elk cows calved in the
aspen on the alluvial fans of the greater North Star Ranch. Currently, only a handful is
doing so. Although it is difficult to determine the cause of this decline, it is likely that
human and dog activity has contributed. In addition, elk use the Property as a staging area
during migration (spring and fall) as they move between summer and winter ranges.
Of particular conservation interest is the Great Blue Heron colony on the Property. It is
estimated that there are approximately 63 Great Blue Heron colonies in the entire state of
Colorado and the Smith colony is thought to be the only one occurring over 8500 feet in
elevation and in blue spruce trees (most occur in cottonwoods). In other words this Great
Blue Heron colony is quite unique and ecologically significant. The presence of this
colony has important management implications. Researchers over the last 10 years have
found that a 200 meter buffer zone from the periphery of colonies in which no human
activity takes place during the courtship and nesting seasons is necessary to avoid negative
effects on recruitment. Currently, there are seven active nests with as many as three
nestlings. This buffer zone will be honored in the management of the Property.
On two occasions, an adult mountain (or boreal) toad was seen in the area in June — once
on North Star Nature Preserve (1999) and once on the Property itself (2001). If, and it
appears likely, mountain toads are federally listed as Endangered or Threatened, then we
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 10
will be bound by law to increase the protective status of the Property. Surveys will be
conducted in 2001 and 2002 for breeding toads, non-breeding toads, tadpoles, and egg
masses.
5.1 Recreation and Wildlife
Open space land use by recreationists has increased throughout the United States. As open
space use rises and penetrates natural areas, encounters between humans and wildlife
increases. There is concern among scientists and the public that recreationists may have a
negative impact on wildlife. Recreationists can affect wildlife through unintentional
disturbance, the primary way recreationists affect wildlife, or intentional disturbance
(Knight and Cole 1995). Due to the escalating use of open space unintentional disturbance
has become particularly impactive.
Understanding the impacts and responses of wildlife to recreationists can provide open
space managers with the information to develop mitigation measures such as codes of
conduct. The behavior of recreationists affects wildlife responses. Predictability of a
behavior partly determines wildlife response. If the disturbance is predictable and non-
threatening there is little overt response, but if the disturbance is predictable and
threatening there is a strong response (Knight and Knight 1984). Practical considerations
such as trail placement, user education and regulations, and informational materials at
trails could be effective mitigation strategies.
5.2 Management Action Steps: Wildlife
1. The management of approved recreational activities will depend on the results
of the biological inventory and monitoring of the property as well as yearly
assessments of the impacts of recreational activities on the ecological resources
identified by the inventories and monitoring activities.
2. The habitat management of the property will focus on maintaining and
enhancing the habitats of sensitive species, habitat interior species, species of
special or cultural concern, and declining or rare species. These species include,
but are not limited to, the following: elk, great blue heron, sora, and Virginia
rail.
3. A 200 meter buffer area around the heron colony will be established from
March 1 through July 31 (Vos et al. 1985). During this period observation of
the herons will be provided at a viewing stand with a fixed spotting scope.
Interpretive signage will explain the conservation significance of the heron
colony and about their natural history.
4. Monitor birds and small mammals via the Pitkin County Open Space Wildlife
Inventory and Monitoring protocol.
5. Monitor effects of human and wildlife impacts and effects of management
actions on the wildlife of the Property according to the Pitkin County Open
Space Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring protocol.
6. Identify and map critical wildlife habitats.
8/08/2001 LAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 1 I
7. Maintain and enhance the flood and subsurface hydrologic regime that supports
the natural communities found on the property.
8. Evaluate the fluvial geomorphology of the Roaring Fork River for restoration
potential.
9. Adapt management methods and objectives based upon the results of
monitoring.
10. Maintain the connectedness of Property with adjacent, undeveloped lands.
6.0 VISITOR SERVICES
6.1 Recreation Potential
The primary purpose for the acquisition of the Property is to protect the land and the
ecological communities that depend on it for their continued existence. Consequently, it
is the intent of the City of Aspen and Pitkin County Open Space to allow access only to
those areas where the risk of interrupting ecological processes will be minimal. Access to
the property will be from the East of Aspen Trail through the main gate where
interpretive signage will enlighten the visitor to the history and significance of the
Property.
While preservation of important wildlife habitat, including the great blue heron rookery,
and protection of scenic open space is the primary objective of this project, the acquisition
of the The Property provides opportunities for managed public use of the Property.
Recreational uses that are compatible with the ecological goals of the preservation effort
include hiking on designated trails, bird and wildlife watching, boating along the Roaring
Fork, and non-maintained nordic and snowshoe use in the wintertime. These uses, within
the parameters outlined in this Plan, and the restrictions to uses set forth in this Plan, are
also consistent with the North Star Nature Preserve Resource Management Plan.
6.1.1 Trail System Considerations
At the time of acquisition, the Property hosts a two-track road leading from the highway
to the barn (which shall be removed within one year of the acquisition); spur trails to the
north and south of this main road, leading to the river, and; remnants of a trail that is in
decline to the west of the river. This Plan will restrict use of these trails in a manner
which protects the ecological values of the Property. Specifically, any recreational use of
the western portion of the property is prohibited. Similarly, the southern spur trail will
be eliminated from its current junction with the main trail to create a buffer zone for the
heron nests. The main trail will be modified to a four foot single tread and rerouted to
allow for a buffer zone for the herons. The fire pit near the barn site will be removed and
the facilities in that area will be minimized. This Plan proposes creating an interpretive
loop trail off the main trail, as an added public amenity. (Please see Figure 1.)
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8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 12
Access for nordic use of the property will only be permitted through the designated
entrance from Highway 82, and prohibited from the North Star Nature Preserve, in order
to protect wetlands areas. Winter use of the property will be along a designated trail only
and will be non-maintained. No motorized equipment can be used to set nordic tracks.
6.1.2 Aquatic Uses
This Property offers a stretch of river well suited for beginning boaters. Currently,
kayakers and canoers enjoy the Property from the river as they pass through on their way
from the put-in at Wildwood Lane (near the Wildwood School) to one of the take-outs at
North Star. The main entrance to the Property lies within 0.56 miles of the
canoe/kayak/raft put-in on USFS property off of Wildwood Lane and 0.34 miles from the
south put-in/take-out at North Star. There are two gravel beaches where boaters can
beach and access a designated trail to experience the Property (Figure 1). The other gravel
beaches are in close proximity to the heron colony or are on the west bank of the river are
not open to access by boats.
6.2 Education Potential
The Property offers an excellent opportunity to provide the public with ecological
educational resources. Opportunities to explore for this property include interpretive signage
along the loop trail and observation of the great blue heron rookery.
6.3 Fencing
Fencing along the East Aspen Trail and between the North Star Nature Preserve and the
Property will remain, but be modified as necessary to be wildlife compatible. All other
fencing shall be removed. There will be signage prohibiting access from the Preserve to
the Property.
6.4 Trails and Management Action Steps:
1. A small, primitive loop trail in the oxbow east of the one containing the barn will
be constructed for interpretive opportunities and to allow access to the riverbank
when the heron buffer is in effect (Figure 1).
2. No other trails will be constructed on the Property unless there is a specific
ecological justification, and are approved by the Management Committee as
described in subsection 8.
3. The only trails that will be maintained on the Property are the main 2-track trail
from the entrance gate to the barn and the loop trail (Figure 1).
a. The main 2-track trail will be reduced in width to a 4 foot wide dirt trail
and will be shifted to the north where it approaches the barn to
accommodate the heron buffer (Figure 2).
4. Any portion of the trail may be shifted with approval of the Management
Committee, as described in subsection 8, for management purposes.
8/08/2001 JAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 13
5. Nordic access from North Star Nature Preserve is permitted along the East of
Aspen Trail to a loop on the east side of the Property.
a. No motorized maintenance of nordic access is allowed.
6. Water rights will be maintained for wetlands and vegetation restoration purposes.
This is a beneficial use and should be sufficient to retain existing rights.
7. Resource management plans for the Property will be adopted by ordinance. This
plan will be reviewed within 3 years.
a. Any revision of this Management Plan shall be approved by a Management
Committee which meets annually and is comprised of the Pitkin County
Open Space Director, the Chair of the Pitkin County Open Space and
Trails Board, the Aspen City Parks Director, a member of the Aspen City
Councilor their designee, and Joy Smith, or her designee. Decisions of the
Management Committee shall be made by a simple majority.
7.0 REGULATIONS
The regulations governing the management, maintenance, and utilization of Pitkin
County Open Space and Trails properties are set forth in Title IX of The Pitkin County
Code (Ord. 01- 04), and apply to the James H. Smith North Star Open Space. The
following additional regulations and management actions will assure that visitors to the
Property can enjoy an unsullied appreciation of natural communities without interfering
with the processes that maintain them:
1. There shall be no visitor access to the west side of the river.
2. Motorized use is allowed for management, maintenance, and research purposes
only.
3. There shall be no equestrian use.
4. Dogs are allowed only on the East of Aspen Trail.
5. There shall be no commercial use of the Property.
6. Time and location of public access will be limited to protect the heron colony, elk
calving, and other sensitive wildlife activities.
7. A 200 meter buffer around the perimeter of the existing and any future heron
colonies will be established from March 1 through July 30`h
a. Where it intersects trails the buffer will be demarcated with a simple loop
post and rope barrier and interpretive signage explaining the ecological
purpose of the buffer.
8. Putting-in and taking out canoes, kayaks, or rafts will be prohibited on the
Property.
a. Beaching canoes and kayaks will be allowed on 2 designated beaches east of
the river on the Property (Figure 1)
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8/08/2001 LAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 14
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Literature Cited
Knight, R. L., and D. N. Cole. 1995. Wildlife Responses to recreationists. Pages xvii, 372 in R. L. Knight and K.J.
Gutzwiller, editors.Wildlife and recreationists: coexistence through management and research. Island Press,
Washington, D.C.
Knight, R. L., and S. K. Knight. 1984. Responses of wintering bald eagles to boating activity.Journal of Wildlife
Management 48:999-1004.
Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). 1999. Biological and Conservation Data (BCD) System. Data from
field survey. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Stedman-Edwards, P. 1997. The Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss:An Analytical Approach. (Washington, DC: World
Wildlife Fund).
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8/08/2001 LAMES H.SMITH NORTH STAR OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN 16