HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 Sept 2021 packet
Agenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change
Time • Administrative Items
4:00 PM Board Comment
Public Comment
Additions /Deletions to Agenda
4:15 PM
• Staff Reports and Project Updates
Roaring Fork Bypass Flow Evaluation – Presented by:
Miller Ecological Consultants
Aquatic Specialists
BBA Water Consultants Inc.
5:15 PM
5:45 PM
6:15 PM
• Outreach/Education/Grants
Sky Mountain Park and Glassier Open Space and Trails Updates
Paul Holsinger and Liza Mitchell
Fall Grant Request ECO Flight - $30,000
East of Aspen Master Plan updates
6:45 PM • Open Discussion
7:00 PM • Adjourn
Upcoming 2021 Regular Meetings: Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16
Roaring Fork bypass flow evaluation
for
Roaring Fork River near Aspen,
Colorado
William J. Miller, Ph.D.
Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc.
Bozeman, Montana
And
Gregory D. Espegren
Aquatic Specialist
Red Lodge, Montana
September 13, 2021
Origin
of
Bypass
Flow
•Negotiated by County out
of the Busk-Ivanhoe case
•Can only occur when Twin
Lakes is in priority
•Volume available is 3,800
AF –4,000 AF
Objectives
•Pitkin County seeks to manage bypasses and releases from the Twin Lakes collection system of the Independence Pass Trans-mountain Diversion System of 3800 to 4000 acre-feet (AF) of water from the Twin Lakes collection system in the headwaters of the Roaring Fork River basin.
•The County is now determining how these bypass flows and releases from the headwater collection system should be made to provide the greatest benefit to the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries.
Study Area
Methods
•Physical Data
–Review of River2D-Two dimensional stream habitat evaluation from 2011 study in Aspen and CWCB ISF for the Roaring Fork
–2019 -New R2Cross data in Lincoln Creek and upper Roaring Fork upstream of Lost Man Creek
–Hydrology analysis by BBA Water Consultants, Inc.
•Biological Data
–2020 -Macroinvertebrate samples at four locations in upper Roaring Fork basin
•Two on Lincoln Creek
•Two on the Roaring Fork
–Fish –visual assessment
Roaring Fork in Aspen
Current Condition of the Roaring Fork
in Aspen
•Habitat
–The late summer base flows appear to be most effected by upstream diversions
–The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) holds an instream flow for 32 cfs in the study area, which is junior to other upstream water rights
–The late summer flows are lower than 32 cfs in many years
–Flows can be as low as 15-20 cfs and have less wetted area available for macroinvertebrate production than flows greater than 30 cfs.
–There is approximately 20% less habitat at 17 cfs than at 30 cfs.
–If base flows were at or higher than the 32 cfs minimum flow invertebrate food base would likely increase with the wetted area.
Roaring Fork
at Mill St.
total wetted
area by
discharge
Habitat change by discharge for
Roaring Fork in Aspen
Discharge Rainbow Trout Brown Trout
Adult Juvenile Fry Adult Juvenile Fry
17.5 0%0%0%0%0%0%
25 309%28%119%56%31%119%
30 600%52%201%83%57%201%
45 1765%121%443%137%135%443%
60 2835%173%649%159%192%649%
Discharge Rainbow Trout Brown Trout
Adult Juvenile Fry Adult Juvenile Fry
30 0%0%0%0%0%0%
45 166%46%81%30%50%81%
60 319%80%149%41%86%149%
17 cfs 98 cfs
300 cfs
Upper Roaring Fork Basin
Lincoln Creek above Tabor Creek
Lincoln Creek at the R2Cross Site
Lincoln Creek R2Cross
Lincoln Creek -8/28/2019
Habitat Criteria Results
Measured Discharge = 8.91 cfs
Bankfull top width (ft) = 30.17 CWCB ISF = 8 cfs year round
Habitat Criteria Discharge (cfs) Meeting Criteria
Mean Depth (ft)0.3 2.55
Percent Wetted Perimeter (%)50 2.34
Mean Velocity (ft/s)1 21.04
Roaring Fork Upstream of Lincoln
Creek
Roaring Fork Upstream of Lost Man
Creek
Upper Roaring Fork R2Cross
Roaring Fork upstream of Lost Man Creek -8/28/2019
Habitat Criteria Results
Measured Discharge = 4.32 cfs
Bankfull top width (ft) = 23.49 CWCB ISF = 10 cfs year round
Habitat Criteria Discharge (cfs) Meeting Criteria
Mean Depth (ft)0.23 0.75
Percent Wetted Perimeter (%)50 0.32
Mean Velocity (ft/s)NA NA
Lincoln Creek and Upper Roaring Fork
Macroinvertebrates
METRIC RF ABV LOST MAN RF ABV LINCOLN LINCOLN ABV TABOR LINCOLN @ R2 SITE
Density (#/m2)7422 +1965 8012 +1965 81 +104 508 +295
Biomass (g/m2)0.595 +0.317 0.593 +0.470 0.016 +0.020 0.057 +0.035
S-W Diversity 2.41 +0.33 2.56 +0.35 1.82 +2.24 3.40 +0.87
S-W Evenness 0.535 +0.025 0.569 +0.074 0.931 +0.084 0.880 +0.083
Taxa Richness 23 +3 23 +3 4 +6 15 +6
# EPT Taxa 14 +4 14 +5 1 +2 9 +6
Lincoln Creek and Upper Roaring Fork
Substrate Composition
Operational rule for bypass
recommendations
•Objective: Manage for a natural shaped hydrograph and keep flows at or above the minimum flow during summer. If available, additional bypass should be made to keep summer flows in the Roaring Fork in Aspen between 30 cfsand 45 cfs from July 15 through September 15.
•The target summer bypass evaluation should begin in early Spring each year. The April 1st each year could be used to check snowpack forecast for the upcoming runoff projection. The projected runoff should be classified by year type as Wet, Median, or Dry. Note: the year type is an example as a starting point and should be refined to match the earlier designations of dry average dry, average wet and wet.
Questions-Discussion
OST Memorandum
TO: Healthy Rivers and Streams Board
FROM: OST Staff
SUBJECT: OST Project Update
DATE: September 13, 2021
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) staff have been working toward accomplishing action items specified within OST fee owned management plans. Many of these action items are related to promoting riparian health and water conservation. OST would like to update the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board (HRSB) regarding planning and projects occurring on Sky Mountain Park and Glassier Open Space.
Sky Mountain Park The original (2012) Sky Mountain Park Management Plan was a product of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails in collaboration with the Town of Snowmass Village and City of Aspen Parks, Trails and Open Space. Preservation of this 2,400-acre relatively unfragmented area was a
remarkable multi-jurisdictional and community effort. The Plan is being updated this year, with targeted studies, public comment, and current conditions guiding the path forward: Sky Mountain Park will continue to be managed for natural resource protection, as well as public access/recreation, agricultural heritage and scenic value.
OST staff will provide the HRSB with a brief update on the natural resource conditions and water-related management action items proposed in the draft 2021 Sky Mountain Park Management Plan update. A draft update of the management plan for Sky Mountain Park is expected to open for public comment on Sept. 17.
For updated information on the Sky Mountain Park Plan update process: https://www.pitkinostprojects.com/sky-mountain-park.html
Glassier Open Space
The Glassier Open Space management plan was update in December 2020 and included action
items to support irrigation improvements to the agricultural areas of the property and enhance wildlife habitat. The action items were intentionally broad as OST investigated opportunities. Action item 4.1.3 (Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation Partnership) states;
The first phase of the improvements are planned and a full presentation will be made at the HRSB meeting.
vi | Sky Mountain Park Executive Summary
PLAN SUMMARY
Sky Mountain Park is managed for natural resource
protection, recreation, agricultural heritage and
scenic value. The 2021 Management Plan update for
Sky Mountain Park (The Park) is a continuation of
the 2012 management plan. The actions identified
in this plan seek to enhance the area's ecological
integrity and address recreation pressures. Many of
the attributes that make the Park such an important
place to protect are also what make it a popular place
to recreate.
It is the intent of this management plan to promote
the long-term resilience of the natural ecosystem
through careful planning, ecological assessments,
habitat restoration and/or enhancement, and
adaptive management.
Trail based recreation is a significant use and new
management strategies focus on ensuring all
users feel safe and welcome and understand the
appropriate trail etiquette. Proposed improvements
continue to uphold the established mitigation
strategies such as seasonal closures and dog
restrictions and seek to ensure that impacts to
biodiversity are minimized.
Adaptive management is an iterative process
that sets management actions and monitors
and evaluates results to inform adjustments to
implementation and respond dynamically to
changing recreation and ecological management
needs, changing climate and community values.
PARTNERS AND ROLES
Sky Mountain Park is a collection of open space
parcels owned by Pitkin County Open Space and
Trails (OST), the Town of Snowmass Village (TOSV)
and the City of Aspen Parks and Recreation (COA).
Pitkin County OST coordinates across jurisdictional
boundaries to manage the area cohesively.
PARK CONDITIONS
Sky Mountain Park is a large enough, semi-contiguous
area to provide effective habitat for many wildlife
species, from pollinators to large mammals, and
to maintain intact native plant communities. The
area includes several ridges, valleys and basins and
supports a diversity of habitat types. The Park serves
as an ecological refuge for plants and animals, as well as an important movement corridor for wildlife.
Natural resource studies conducted since the 2012
plan show that current recreational use is not
negatively impacting natural resources within the
Park. Seasonal recreational use is restricted to trails,
and while the intensity of use has increased, this has
not led to an increase in the areal extent of impact on
natural resources, and violations to seasonal closures
remain minimal. The natural resource action items
represent a continuation of current stewardship
efforts, with a focus on actions that promote
biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Recreational use of Sky Mountain Park reached its
highest levels in 2020, a year of unprecedented
outdoor recreation fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic,
with just over 79,000 passersby counted on trail
counters. It is yet to be seen if this dramatic growth in
trail use will continue into the future.
According to feedback from the online survey, which
is consistent with camera data, the most frequent
way users experience the Park is mountain biking.
Interestingly, more than half of all users also report
that they bike or walk to access the Park instead of
driving, which underscores the Park as an accessible
recreation destination.
While Sky Mountain Park has a high rate of
compliance with the rules and regulations that guide
public use, increased use has led to requests from
the community for additional safety and recreation
management actions. Many of the education and
outreach action items represent a continuation of
current safety and education efforts, with a focus
on actions that promote trail user etiquette and
broadening the outreach efforts and programming to
a larger cross-section of the community.
Community feedback supported maintaining a
limited number of events at Sky Mountain Park, which
is consistent with the current management approach.
Updated policies for commercial and special uses
represent a continuation of limited events on Pitkin
County's properties with clarification provided on the
number of events permitted annually and participant
caps.
Sky Mountain Park Management Plan | vii
QUICK FACTS
Total Open Space Acreage:
2401.7 acres
Trail Miles: 28
88% of Park trails are closed
seasonally from December
1 through May 15 for
protection of wintering
wildlife and many trails are
closed to dogs.
Access and Parking: Trail
access via parking at
Buttermilk, Brush Creek Park-
and-Ride lot and Snowmass
Village Recreation Center.
Years of acquisition: 1991-
2019
Funding Partners: Pitkin
County Open Space and Trails
(OST), Town of Snowmass
Village (TOSV), City of
Aspen (COA), Aspen Valley
Land Trust, Great Outdoors
Colorado (GOCO)
Open Space Values: Wildlife
habitat, scenic views and
recreational trails spread
over a conglomeration
of open space holdings
centered in the Brush Creek
Valley.
For a complete list of Park
Rules, including regulations,
special-use and commercial
use policies see page 53.
PUBLIC OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS
OST developed the initial online survey, advertised from May 15 to
June 15, 2021, to understand general patterns of use at the Park, what
attributes are most valued, and what community members believe is
working well or in need of change. A total of 665 participants responses
were collected.
Survey respondents rate a typical visit to the Park with 4.5 stars. Beauty
and protection of scenic views and protection of wildlife habitat were
two of the most important attributes respondents felt that the Park
provides. Trail safety and user conflicts were also identified as important;
however, in their current condition many respondents felt this attribute
fell short of their expectations.
The major themes pulled from the survey include:
1. Designate Directional Trails to increase safety.
2. Address User Conflicts and safety.
3. Enhance Connectivity of trails system including interior loop trails
and ties to greater area trails system.
4. Educate Users on trail etiquette and enforce rules.
5. Support Skills Progression for all ages and abilities from beginner to
advanced.
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN
This document tracks the acquisition history leading to the Park today
and describes the numerous accomplishments since the 2012 Plan in
Section 1. Appendix B provides greater detail on the progress of the
2012 management actions. An update on the Park's current condition,
complete with references to relevant studies is found in Section 2. In
Section 3, feedback from the community is summarized. Appendix C and
D contains the full engagement results.
Management Actions described in Section 4 emerged as a product
of background research, assessment of the current park conditions
and stakeholder input. This plan is a near- to mid-range planning tool
to budget for management actions to preserve this place for future
generations of people and wildlife. Section 5 provides an easy-to-use
matrix to measure progress in the years ahead.
8 | Introduction
1.4 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
This plan update builds on past accomplishments and celebrates the remarkable investments made to the
Park since the first plan, prepared in 2012. The initial plan set forth management actions for nine topic areas,
which have been consolidated in this effort to five: natural resources; recreation; agriculture; outreach and
education; monitoring and stewardship; and maintenance. See Appendix B for full status of 2012 Management
Plan Actions. With many of the management actions complete or underway, an update to the conditions of
Park are further detailed in Section 2.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
NATURAL RESOURCES
□A seasonal closure to all recreational use has
been established from December 1 – May 15.
Exceptions to this closure are Highline and Lowline
trails.
□105 acres of overly mature Gambel oak were
mechanically treated to mimic natural fire
disturbance. The result is greater age class
diversity across the landscape with improved
vegetation health, and more palatable forage
for elk and mule deer, bears and small mammals
within the treated area (see page 28 for project
update).
□Elk hunt has effectively prevented a refuge effect
and associated overbrowsing of vegetation within
the park.
□Noxious weeds, while present, are being
controlled and the oak mastication treatment
areas are relatively free of noxious weeds (see
page 27 for project update).
□Silverleaf milkvetch, a state critically imperiled
species that is found in the Park, is healthy and
has not been adversely affected by new trails.
□A beaver deceiver was installed to protect
irrigation infrastructure without negative impacts
Beaver DeceiverSeasonal closures.
Oak treatment interpretive sign.
on beaver and beaver populations
□Plans were prepared and implementation is
underway to restore two old agricultural ponds to
native riparian habitat, and the adjacent former
agricultural pasture back to native grass and
shrublands (see page 29 for project update).
□Seven Star I was considered for a trail in the 2012
Plan, but subsequent decisions kept this a trail-
free area for the benefit of wildlife.
MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP
□Avian monitoring is conducted every 3-5 years,
with statistical analysis and reporting every 10
years. The next report will be released in 2022.
□Mammal survey results confirm the effectiveness
of the habitat treatments and the successful
management of multiple uses of the property.
□Targeted studies of aspen stands were completed.
Only four of 17 stands showed significant decline
and were assessed for potential intervention.
□A geomorphological assessment on lower Brush
Creek indicated little evidence of degraded
channel form or sediment dynamics negatively
impacting the watershed health, functional
riparian communities or infrastructure.
Sky Mountain Park Management Plan | 9
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SNOWMASSVILLAGETOWN PARK& RECREATIONCENTER
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Legend
Wildlife Areas
Deer and Elk Migration Corridors
Elk Production Areas
Elk Winter Concentration Area
Elk Winter Range
Town Limits
Aspen Urban Growth Boundary
Parking Area
Silverleaf milkvetch ACGI Soil Moisture Monitoring
Map 2. Natural Resource, Stewardship and Monitoring Accomplishments
Noxious Weed HotspotsNoxious Weed HotspotsMapped in 2018Mapped in 2018
Aspen Stands Surveyed in 2018Aspen Stands Surveyed in 2018
Sagebrush Sagebrush
Restoration Restoration
Study areaStudy area
2014 Gambel Oak 2014 Gambel Oak
Treatment AreasTreatment Areas
Pond Pond
Restoration Restoration
Project AreaProject Area
Riparian AreaRiparian Area
82
Seven
Star
Ranch I
Droste II CE
Cozy Point South
Sky Mountain
Park (Droste CE)
Seven
Star
Ranch II
Hidden
Valley
Seven Star
Ranch
Skybeam
(CE)
Burlingame Ranch West
Upper North
Mesa
88% OF TRAIL MILES
CLOSED SEASONALLY
FOR PROTECTION OF
WILDLIFE
DOGS ARE RESTRICTED
FROM 55% OF PARKS
TRAILS.
Seasonal Closure: Dec 1st through May 15th
Seasonal Closure: April 25 to June 20
viii | Sky Mountain Park Executive Summary
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
NR.1 Passively maintain geomorphological integrity of Brush Creek in conjunction with beaver activity.
NR.2 Restore old ponds to riparian habitat.
NR.3 Improve "at-risk" riparian and aquatic resources.
NR.4 Explore opportunities to increase or establish a buffer between trails and sensitive aquatic resources.
NR.5 Enhance old pasturelands with native sagebrush plant communities.
NR.6 Continue mechanical treatment of mature Gambel oak to improve wildife habitat.
NR.7 Assess forest health across the Park and local landscape to identify priorities for future forest-health improvement projects.
NR.8 Control noxious weeds as required by the State of Colorado.
NR.9 Continue the elk hunting program/lottery at Sky Mountain Park with a modification to allow hunting from trails.
RECREATION MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
R.1 Construct an additional route as close as possible to the existing Airline Trail to separate uphill from downhill mountain bike traffic.
R.2 Install airport observation area and interpretive display.
R.3 Formally designate Deadline Trail as a downhill-only mountain bike trail and install signage/update OST maps.
R.4 Implement Park closure from dusk to dawn.
R.5 Review best management practices and use patterns from recreation providers and land managers addressing user conflicts through separated use trails, directional trails, alternating use days, and other strategies.
R.6 Install seating area made of natural materials at the top of Viewline Trail.
R.7 Implement a policy to mandate use of certified weed-free hay on equestrian trails.
R.8 Monitor the potential to provide a singletrack connection between Ditchline Trail and Cozyline Trail.
R.9 Acknowledge SMP in the context of greater, regional trail connectivity and work with partners on future trail improvements.
SKY MOUNTAIN PARK MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
Managment actions will directly inform OST work plans over time and provide ways of communicating
acheivements at Sky Mountain Park to the public, the Open Space and Trails Board and Board of County
Commissioners. Management Actions were developed based on background research, assessment of the
current conditions, progress made following the adoption of the 2012 Plan and community/stakeholder input.
Management actions are detailed in Section 4 of the 2021 Management Plan and the timing, partners and
anticipated implementation costs is found in Section 5.
Key Updates
Most Natural Resource
Management Actions continue
efforts from the 2012 Plan and
build on accomplisments.
Action 1.7 begins to look at the
context of the Park through an
through a larger, systemwide
forest health assessment and
management plan spanning a
number of OST properties.
Key Updates
Following significant
investments in developing
the current network of trails
at SMP over the last 10 years,
Actions 2.1, 2.3 and 2.5 seek
to address user conflicts and
safety concerns expressed in
the public comments.
Actions 2.1 directs
construction of an additional
trail.
Sky Mountain Park Management Plan | ix
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
EO.1 Implement a trail safety and etiquette campaign.
EO.2 Provide interpretive signage to communicate restoration and habitat improvement projects.
EO.3 Increase joint coordination of OST notifications via text messages and emails related to events.
EO.4 Coordinate public education opportunities such as birding hikes and other natural resource tours with RFC, ACES or similar groups.
EO.5 Encourage use of the Park among under-represented user groups and members of the community.
MAINTENANCE ACTIONS
M.1 Bi-annual maintenance of all singletrack trails including, but not limited to: corridor trimming, sightline improvements, drainage improvements, signage replacement/updates and other miscellaneous trail-related needs.
M.2 Provide necessary maintenance to the existing, overgrown equestrian and hiking loop trail on Upper North Mesa.
M.3 Remove old pump infrastructure and electric when no longer needed, and remove old, broken sprinkler heads from pasture.
M.4 Annual maintenance of all paved trails including, but not limited to: mowing of trail edges, sweeping, crack-sealing, volcano removal, signage replacement/updates and other miscellaneous trail-related needs.
M.5 Bi-annual maintenance of soft-surface trail (shoulder of Brush Creek Trail and pasture section of Cozyline Trail) including, but not limited to: grading, compacting and adding more crusher fine material on an as-needed basis.
M.6 Provide necessary maintenance of all open space signage in and around the Park. Any new signage will follow the 2014 Pitkin County OST Signage Design Guidelines.
AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
AG.1 Cozy Point South will continue to be managed by the City of Aspen's Cozy Point Ranch lessee. Responsibilities include irrigation, crop production (currently hay) and noxious weed control.
MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIONS
MS.1 Continue to support Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) monitoring stations.
MS.2 Explore water-quality testing data and needs along Brush Creek.
MS.3 Monitor aspen forest health and consider options to promote regeneration in declining aspen stands as needed.
MS.4 Project-specific monitoring, pre- and post- intervention.
MS.5 Maintain and improve collaboration with area natural resource managers and private landowners.
MS.6 Implement routine resource monitoring for wildlife, vegetation, riparian and wetland resources.
MS.7 Continue to monitor recreational use.
Key Updates
Action 3.1 increases OST trail
safety efforts.
Action 3.5 supports statewide
measures to address inclusivity
in the outdoors.
Key Updates
Action 5.6 establishes OST data
protocols for methodology
and recommended monitoring
intervals [Table 6].
EcoFlight request for Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Board 2021 Fall Grant Cycle
Organization: EcoFlight
Address: 307 L AABC, Aspen, CO 81611
Contact: Jane Pargiter, Conservation Director – jane@ecoflight.org, 970-429-1110
Grant project title: Aerial Advocacy for protecting the Crystal River
Amount requested: $30,000
A. Goals of the Healthy Rivers Board
The extent to which the proposed grant request/project meets the stated goals, objectives and on-going
projects/priorities of the River Board.
1. Must be complete, clear and concise, with specific dollar amounts in total and
for each element of the project;
2. Must fulfill the intent of the ballot language.
EcoFlight is requesting a $30,000 Pitkin County Healthy Rivers grant to complete strategic overflight
programs that will engage stakeholders and decision makers in the effort to protect the Crystal River as
Wild and Scenic. A Wild and Scenic designation through Congress will protect the river’s natural, cultural
and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the benefit of the Roaring Fork watershed now
and in the future. This designation would permanently protect the Crystal River from new dams or
diversions, without impacting existing water rights, and keep water in what is one of today’s last
untamed, undammed natural rivers, thus ensuring ecological health, recreational opportunities, and
wildlife and riparian habitat.
As Colorado’s population continues to grow, so do the demands for water and the threat of trans-basin
diversions, which could be detrimental to the health of the Crystal River. A Wild and Scenic designation
would permanently protect the water in the Crystal from being targeted by water developers, dam-
builders or any other detrimental in-stream activities, while keeping ranchers’ and other current users’
existing water rights intact.
B. Viability of the Project
The extent to which the proposed grant request/project is practical, will be completed as proposed
and/or may require other resources to be fully completed, and the extent to which the project can be
repeated in other locations such that it will not be limited to a single event.
1. Must address an essential need;
2. Demonstrates collaboration and/or partners with other agencies.
EcoFlight’s mission is to educate and advocate for the protection of remaining wild lands and wildlife
habitat using small aircraft. Our Crystal River overflight programs will be an important strategic
component in the local campaign to secure Wild and Scenic protections for the Crystal River.
There are two steps that must be completed for a river to be included in the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers System (NWSRS) – eligibility and suitability. The Forest Service found the Crystal River to have
outstandingly remarkable values for its scenic, historic and recreational character, making it eligible for
protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The next step, suitability, will take support for
suitability documents and draft legislation for Congress to consider and act to designate the river for
inclusion into the NWSRS.
As is typical with conservation efforts throughout the West, our senators have indicated that they prefer
to see strong local support at the town or county levels before they act on issues like these. Therefore, it
is crucial to build a groundswell of support from local citizens and governments, and to communicate
this support to Colorado’s leaders in congress.
This is a viable project, from the EcoFight perspective, as EcoFlight has a proven history of doing this
type of work. EcoFlight was a founding partner in the Thompson Divide Coalition and together with our
many partners working on this, Thompson Divide Coalition, Wilderness Workshop, Conservation
Colorado and others, EcoFlight flew the Colorado governor, Colorado US Senators, and almost all County
Commissioners, mayors and City Councilmen and women of the Roaring Fork Valley. The net result is
that Thompson Divide is mostly protected, and will hopefully with the passage of the CORE Act become
fully protected. EcoFlight will do likewise with the Crystal River. EcoFlight will conduct a series of
overflights based out of Aspen, Glenwood or Gunnison airports with river and conservation advocates,
local elected officials from the towns of Marble, Carbondale and Gunnison, and Pitkin County, Gunnison
County, media and residents of the Crystal River valley.
All parties will need to work together to successfully create lasting protections for the Crystal River. The
aerial perspective provided on overflights is a highly effective way to educate passengers about the
Crystal River watershed and the importance of the proposed Wild and Scenic designation. These
overflights are a remarkably powerful platform for bringing together citizens with elected officials and
the press to engage on the issue in a positive way, and to earn media that will help educate the wider
public on why the Crystal deserves protection. From the seat of a small, single-engine airplane,
passengers will see first-hand the scenic beauty of the Crystal River watershed, and will gain a deeper
understanding of the impacts that threats like new dams or diversions would impose on this vital
waterway. Passengers will share the exciting and intimate experience of flying in a small airplane, seeing
the landscape from the unique aerial perspective. It is from this shared experience and perspective, that
passengers will find a commonality and a place from which to work together.
EcoFlight will work closely with our local partners to organize effective overflights, build strategic
passenger lists and execute effective post-flight outreach and follow up. EcoFlight is regularly
communicating and coordinating with a coalition of partners including the Crystal River Valley Caucus,
Wilderness Workshop, Roaring Fork Chapter of the Sierra Club and other conservation advocates on
targeted invites to strategic passengers.
C. Public Need, Accessibility and Appreciation
The extent to which the proposed grant request/project will be seen, appreciated and/or used by the
public.
1. Does not duplicate existing services or programs;
2. Must serve and be appreciated by people who live and/or work in Pitkin County and the
Roaring Fork watershed;
3. Includes a specific Public Relations strategy;
4. Demonstrates an appropriate need for public funding.
A strong showing of support at the local and county levels will be necessary for our two Senators Bennet
and Hickenlooper to recommend to Congress to designate the Crystal River for Wild and Scenic status.
The airplane will be used as a platform to bring together officials from the Town of Marble, Gunnison
County and Pitkin County and spark informed conversations and engagement on the Wild and Scenic
proposal. Information gained on the flights will inform our elected officials and the general public about
the importance of this designation, help clarify any misconceptions, and highlight the diverse interest
and support for the effort. Flights with local media will help highlight the scenic beauty of the Crystal,
and inform the public about the benefits of a Wild and Scenic designation through earned media. Our
conservation partners will be on hand to steer messaging and values-based conversations about the
watershed.
Post-flight follow up will include outreach to all partners and passengers with photos from the flight and
conservation messaging, networking with supporters, and EcoFlight will produce a short informational
video about the effort and why it is necessary to protect the Crystal through a Wild and Scenic
Designation. This video will be a shared tool among our conservation partners who will distribute the
video to their members and use it as a call to action for citizens to get involved, and take action when
there are opportunities to engage in the campaign.
These are all crucial steps in building a strong grassroots network of support for Wild and
Scenic as we build momentum and political will for congressional action on the Crystal River. An
additional set of overflights will target Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet and their staff and will use
overflights to give them a better understanding of the Crystal River Watershed The flights will highlight
local and regional support by including supportive public officials, business owners, ranchers and
stakeholders on the flights. Overflights are highly informative and eye-opening when viewing a
watershed from the air, and help passengers fully understand the scope of each river’s reach. The
experience leaves a lasting impression on our elected leaders and their staff, and the personal
connection with the watershed leaves them better equipped to take bold action.
D. History of the Requesting Party
The extent that the requesting individual/entity has been successful in other projects or efforts and is
known in the community.
EcoFlight’s call to action is to work with all sides of an issue, the plane providing a platform for
conversation to happen in order to find solutions. The aerial perspective and our ability to connect
people can be used to help build bridges between current conflicting viewpoints, and a way to help
Americans find common ground, bringing tribes, partisan alliances, and faith-based groups together.
Since 2002, EcoFlight’s small airplanes have been used as a platform to connect ranchers with senators
and members of Congress, town trustees with environmental advocates, county commissioners with
mountain bikers, and sportsmen and women with the press. For example, overflights have led to in-
depth conversations with policy makers about how the Thompson Divide supports the environmental,
cultural and economic values of communities in the Roaring Fork Valley, and why it is worth protecting
from oil and gas development. EcoFlight has worked with our partners to organize effective overflights
that have produced countless articles, news stories, short films, letters to the editor and social media
engagement that have elevated the Thompson Divide from a little-known concept to a nationally-
recognized landscape in a larger fight to rein in fossil fuel development, protect wildlife habitat and
combat climate change.
EcoFlight pilot and president Bruce Gordon has extensive knowledge of the landscape and over 30 years
of experience in flying for conservation advocacy. EcoFlight’s small staff has expertise in working on
place-based conservation campaigns with grassroots organizations throughout the West and will work
hand in hand with our conservation partners on strategic messaging, timing, passenger lists and follow
up to leverage the overflights to have the most impact.
EcoFlight is currently working on campaigns on multiple watersheds and rivers, on protecting and
enhancing the Yampa, on Wild and Scenic designation for the headwaters of the Gila River in New
Mexico, on removing dams on both the Klamath and Snake Rivers, on potential Wild and Scenic for the
headwaters of the Verde in Arizona, and on all aspects of the Colorado River.
E. Budget, Measurements and Accountability
The extent to which the proposed grant amount is appropriate to the project scope and includes other
appropriate sources of funding. The extent that the project includes specific measures for success and
reporting of progress and results to the River Board.
1. Demonstrates financial stability and presents accurate budgets and financial reports,
measurements and accountability;
2. Specific measures of progress and success;
3. Reporting plan to the River Board/others.
EcoFlight is committed to securing permanent protection for the Crystal River and the natural, cultural,
scenic, recreational and economic values that is supports. To ensure long-term success for conservation
campaigns, it is important to have buy-in from multiple partners and diverse sources of funding. A
significant number of our funding partners at the state and regional level have committed funding that
supports the 30 by 30 initiative which aims to protect 30% of our nation’s lands and waters by the year
2030. Protecting the Crystal River from new dams or diversions will help maintain in-stream flows for
the health of the river and the life it supports – fitting directly into the 30 by 30 effort which is
supported by both our Senators and President Biden.
Progress and success will be tracked and reported to the River Board through the following progress
indicators: number of passengers, number of earned media articles/images with positive conservation
messaging, number of video views, number of engagements with targeted elected officials, resolutions
from towns and counties. EcoFlight will produce image and video galleries that will be shared with our
conservation partners and network for use in printed or digital communications and will be available to
the River Board, the media and the public.
Itemized expenses:
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
Staff time
Strategy, outreach and communications and messaging w/ partners $6,000
Flight planning, coordination & logistics $4,000
Post-flight follow up outreach and messaging, distribution $6,000
Video production and editing (in-house videographer) $9,000
Pilots $5,000
Total Staff expense: $30,000
Flight expense
Airplane fuel $6,000
Fixed airplane expenses (insurance, maintenance, parking) $5,000
Ferry flights to Glenwood/Gunnison $3,000
Total flight expense $14,000
TOTAL COST $44,000
Funds or in-kind donations available for project:
SOURCE AMOUNT
Wyss Foundation (secured) $7,000
Local individual donations (pending) $2,000
General operating fund (secured) $2,000
SkiCo Environment Foundation (requesting) $3,000
Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Grant (requesting) $30,000
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE (B) $44,000
GRANT CRITERIA SCORE CARD
ECO FLIGHT $30,000 Board Member Name:
Points Possible
Goals of the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board 0-100 The extent to which the proposed grant request/project meets the stated goals, objectives and on-going projects/priorities of the River Board. 1. Must be complete, clear and concise, with specific dollar amounts in total and for each element of the project; 2. Must fulfill the intent of the ballot language.
Viability of the Project 0-100 The extent to which the proposed grant request/project is practical, will be completed as proposed and/or may require other resources to be fully completed, and the extent to which the project can be repeated in other locations such that it will not be limited to a single event. 1. Must address an essential need; 2. Demonstrates collaboration and/or partners with other agencies.
Public Need Accessibility and Appreciation 0-100 The extent to which the proposed grant request/project will be seen, appreciated and/or used by the public. 1. Does not duplicate existing services or programs; 2. Must serve and be appreciated people who live and/or work in Pitkin County & the Roaring Fork Watershed; 3. Includes a specific Public Relations strategy; 4. Demonstrates an appropriate need for public funding.
History of the Requesting Party 0-100 The extent that the requesting individual/entity has been successful in other projects or efforts and is known in the community.
Budget, Measurements and Accountability 0-100 The extent to which the proposed grant amount is appropriate to the project scope and includes other appropriate sources of funding. The extent that the project includes specific measures for success and reporting of progress and results to the Healthy Rivers Board. 1. Demonstrates financial stability and presents accurate budgets and financial reports, measurements and accountability; 2. Specific measures of progress and success; 3. Reporting plan to Healthy Rivers Board/others.
GRANT CRITERIA SCORE CARD
NOTES
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
September 13, 2021
TO: Healthy Rivers Board FROM: Lisa MacDonald
SUBJECT: East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan
Information: Ellen Sassano, Pitkin County’s Sr. Long Ranger Planner, is seeking comments from the River Board and staff regarding the draft East of Aspen –Independence Pass Master Plan update. Specific topics related to water are highlighted in yellow on the following pages. This is an opportunity to identify issues and recommendations for action in this area that may support future endeavors. The plan and attachments can be found at: https://pitkincounty.com/1384/East-of-AspenIndependence-Master-Plan-Up Requested Board Action: Provide comments on draft master plan
2020 EAST OF ASPEN-INDEPENDENCE PASS MASTER PLAN
Draft 8.4.2021 Adopted…
2003 Plan Prepared by the East of Aspen Caucus With Assistance from the Pitkin County Community Development Department 2019 Plan Update Prepared by TGMC,LLC. Land Use Planning
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION
THE ROLE OF THE MASTER PLAN (AND PLANNING PROCESS)
OBJECTIVES, POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION
Section 1: GROWTH, LAND USE & ZONING
1.1 Zoning
1.2 Growth Management & House Size
1.3 Public Lands
1.4 Residential Development
1.5 Affordable Housing 1.6 Commercial/Civic/Institutional Uses & Special Events 1.7 Mining Claims/Mineral Development
Section 2: ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Water Resources/Aquatic Habitat/Riparian/Wetlands 2.2 Scenic Quality 2.3 Air Quality 2.4 Climate Change & Preparedness
2.5 Historic Resources
2.6 Wildlife
2.7 Wildfire 2.8 Mosquito District 2.9 Slopes & Flooding
Section 3: TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE & COMMUNITY FACILITIES
3.1 Roads/Bike Paths 3.2 Transit 3.2 Utilities: Water Service & Sewage Disposal 3.3 Open Space/Trails/Recreation/Tourism
FUTURE LAND USE MAP
APPENDICIES
A. East of Aspen-Independence Pass – Existing Conditions Report
B. Future Land Use Map (will be developed after adoption)
C. Implementation Plan, Including Code Amendments (to be added after adoption) D. Link to 2003 East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan
E. Link to Pitkin County Weed Management Plan Commented [TM1]: Redo the TOC once the Plan is in final format
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 3
INTRODUCTION
The East of Aspen/Independence Pass planning area (Planning Area) is one of the gateways to Pitkin County and the Aspen area. State Highway 82, Pitkin County’s major transportation route, traverses the area and offers spectacular
views of Richmond Ridge and Independence Pass. While residential
development exists within close proximity to Aspen, the majority of the land
within the Planning Area is federally owned (United States Forest Service (USFS) or has been purchased or is managed by the local Pitkin County Open Space and Trails program. The upper reaches of the Planning Area to the County line contain USFS lands and pristine wilderness. The Hunter-Fryingpan and Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Areas encompass most of the Planning Area. The Planning
Area also includes the spectacular Hunter Creek area and Smuggler Mountain
as well as the eastern portion of land along Richmond Ridge. Additionally the
planning area includes the boundaries of the Aspen Mountain Ski Area and other private ownership on the face of Aspen Mountain.
The current planning area boundaries are very similar to the boundaries
described in the 2003 East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan. The only changes made to the boundary for this master plan occur along the west side of the Planning Area and were made to reflect changes proposed in the draft update to the Master Plan for the adjacent Castle Creek Caucus Area. .
Due to its size, this Planning Area is divided into four subareas, as it was in the
2003 Master Plan. These subareas or neighborhood planning areas (NPA’s) are listed below:
• Tagert Lake East- (Independence Pass)
• Tagert Lake West (East of Aspen Caucus Area)
• Aspen Mountain – (Richmond Ridge and the Ski Area)
• Smuggler-Hunter Creek( face of smuggler Mountain /Hunter Creek and
the Fryingpan wilderness area) The Planning Area includes one recognized caucus area, known as the “East of Aspen Caucus Area.” This caucus area shares the same boundary as the
Tagert Lake West NPA.
The purpose of this Master Plan is to provide information regarding existing conditions within the Planning Area including environment, resources, infrastructure, and development (see Appendix A); and to provide direction for elected and appointed officials for making land use policy and regulatory decisions relative to the future of the East of Aspen Planning Area.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 4
This plan incorporates policies and ideas from a number of Pitkin County policy documents including the Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines and Draft
Language by Topic Area for potential Master Plan Updates. In addition,
consideration was given to retaining consistency between this master plan and
the master plans of adjacent planning areas and with planning documents for overlapping government entities such as the US Forest Service. It is the intention of the County to adopt master plans that provide future land use direction for future growth consistent with the policies found in the Pitkin County Land Use
Policy Guidelines, key examples of which are provided below:
“It is the policy of the County to locate future urban development within adopted urban growth boundaries in order to eliminate residential sprawl and strip commercial development, to ensure the provision of adequate service levels and transportation connectivity, to preserve agriculture, forestry and open space land uses, and to maximize the utility of funds invested in public facilities and services. Land outside the growth boundaries will be deemed most appropriate for the preservation of agriculture, natural habitat, environmental resources, open space and rural residential uses.”
“New development should be compatible with and not fundamentally change the character of any neighborhood or area”
“Pitkin County seeks to preserve its natural, rural scenery and natural landmarks for the benefit of its residents and the continued viability of its resort economy.”
“To the extent possible, the County seeks to protect scenic corridors along highways, County roadways and mountain road systems.”
“It is the policy of the County to ensure that the night sky can be viewed by citizens without the interference of unnecessary artificial light from growth, urbanization and highway development.”
THE ROLE OF THE MASTER PLAN (AND PLANNING PROCESS)
The East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area includes the East of Aspen Caucus Area, as shown on Figure 1 of Appendix A of this master plan. In 1998, the Pitkin County voters adopted Article IV, Caucuses, as part of the Pitkin
County Home Rule Charter, stating in the preamble that:
“the word [caucus] connotes representative democracy at the most local level where policies are formulated and recommended by the people whom they most affect … these policies provide elected and appointed county officials with recommendations to enact just laws and policies.”
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 5
(Pitkin County Home Rule Charter, Section 4.0)
Caucuses are recognized, by law, as recommending bodies with two primary
responsibilities as summarized in the following provisions found in the Home Rule
Charter:
4.6 Function: A caucus, upon recognition by the Board, shall have a recommendatory function for all matters directly affecting the caucus area and shall permit its members to report minority views, as well as majority views, and a
division of votes with any such recommendation. Further, a caucus shall have a
recommendatory function for all planning matters affecting the caucus area, as
well as other County matters affecting the caucus area including, but not limited to, budgetary and work program matters.
4.11 Master Plans: The County Commissioners and the Planning and Zoning Commission will encourage the development of Caucus Master Plans. The
County Commissioners shall specify the criteria for the Caucus Master Plan
development procedures and local caucus approval. Caucus Master Plans
which satisfy such criteria shall be recognized by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and County Commissioners. The Caucus Master Plan shall be considered as one of the primary advisory documents in the development of county laws, rules, and regulations which affect caucus areas.
(Pitkin County Home Rule Charter, Sections 4.6 and 4.11)
The Colorado State Legislature also adopted mandatory comprehensive
planning legislation (C.R.S. 30-28-106(4)), which requires Pitkin County to master
plan the entire County. Individual caucuses, such as the East of Aspen Caucus, adopt plans pursuant to the Pitkin County Charter, which are then forwarded to the Planning & Zoning Commission for final adoption under the land use code.
This East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan is hereby incorporated with
and made a part of the Pitkin County Comprehensive Plan. The Pitkin County
Comprehensive Plan and its parts, including this Master Plan, serve as the duly
adopted Pitkin County Master Plan as required by C.R.S. 30-38-106. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Master Plan, despite any reference to the Comprehensive Plan or any Caucus Master Plan in the Pitkin County Code, shall not be construed as any regulation or requirement or
prohibition of law and shall not be binding on any Pitkin County elected official
or representative.
Add a paragraph discussing the master plan review and adoption process once
the process has been completed.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 6
OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION SECTION 1 - LAND USE & ZONING 1.1 LAND USE PATTERN
Develop zoning and other land use regulations to support a land use pattern
that transitions between and acknowledges the unique characteristics of the following uses and areas:
• The very low density, backcountry residential and informal recreation uses and the commercial recreation use (within the Aspen Mountain Ski Area
permit boundary) in the Richmond Ridge area;
• The rural residential use in the Tagerts Lake West (East of Aspen Caucus)
area and;
• The rural residential and informal recreation uses in the adjacent Castle Creek Valley/Caucus area which provides access to and is also impacted by uses in the Richmond Ridge/Aspen Mountain area located within the East of Aspen Planning area. LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
The following Land Use Designations have been used in the Action Items below in order to identify the intended future land uses for various parcels: Conservation: Intended to reflect resource conservation uses for federal, state
and locally owned public lands or lands held in conservation easements.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 7
Public: Intended for publicly owned facilities, such as Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) properties, etc
Large Lot/Conservation: Intended for properties with conservation values
(wildlife, agriculture, etc.); minimum 35 acres with “conservation” incentives
(Growth Management exemption, extended vesting, as examples) for larger lots; Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) approach with options for variance from underlying zoning standards to facilitate conservation.
Low Density: Minimum 35 acres with incentives for lowering allowable density -.
In some cases, would be a “transition” zone between Rural/Remote and more
intense zone districts such as AR-10 or those in the UGB area.
Low Density/Low Intensity/Open Space/Recreational: Minimum 35 acres; intended to reflect the open space and recreational values of the property with the ability for low density and low intensity (relative to house size)
residential development.
ZONING
The planning area includes the following zone districts: AR-10 Agricultural/Residential RR Rural & Remote Ski Rec Ski/Recreation TR-1 Transitional Residential-1 TR-2 Transitional Residential-2
ZCWhile current zoning designations generally support the goals of preservation of natural resources and character within the Planning Area,. Tthis Master Plan recommends several zoning amendments.
1. Amendments to the Rural and Remote zone district ares noted below;
Any future modifications to zoning should be consistent with the intent of the
following zone district(s).
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 8
“The RR (Rural/Remote) zone district is intended to: (i) conserve and protect the natural environment and its resources, while allowing for limited recreational uses and limited residential development, (ii) preserve the small scale, low-
density backcountry character and lifestyle, (iii) retain undeveloped areas, and
(iv) allow for the transfer of development rights to areas that are more
appropriate for development. This district accommodates only small new structures and very limited types of development.”
The following amendments are recommended for consideration to ensure that
the Rural and Remote( R/R) zone continues to achieve it’s stated intent:
“The RR (Rural/Remote) zone district is intended to: (i) conserve and protect the natural environment and its resources, while allowing for limited recreational uses and limited residential development, (ii) preserve the small scale, low-density backcountry character and lifestyle, (iii) retain undeveloped areas, and (iv) allow for the transfer of
development rights to areas that are more appropriate for
development. This district accommodates only small new structures and
very limited types of development.” A. Strengthen Rural/Remote regulations to address substandard-sized lots in
a manner that accords with the original intent of the zone, by:
• Making single-family homes (or their functional equivalent, resort cabins) on substandard sized lots, a special review use;
• Allowing for a limitation on the square footage of improvements on
substandard lots in order to ensure that development is proportional to lot
size;
• Limiting the activity envelope on substandard sized lots to the smallest
envelope possible, including a building envelope at site plan review that minimizes the impact to small sites that are highly constrained by hazard areas;
• Developing Special review criteria for substandard sized lots that allows for
a limitation on the number of non-contiguous activity envelopes
available for multiple uses;
• Developing criteria to assess whether it’s appropriate to retain an “historic” unit and build a new single-family home on a substandard sized
lot, and clarifying the review required for an historic unit’s retention in
connection with new development;
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 9
• Limiting the circumstances in which multiple principal uses are permitted on substandard sized lots(?)
B. Strengthen activity envelope and site plan review in the Rural/Remote
zone to adhere to the policies of Pitkin County and the purpose of the Rural/Remote zone, by:
• Setting minimum setbacks based on thirty-five acre zoning, including the
ability to reduce the size of the development if a smaller setback is sought
at the Board of Adjustment;
o Alternatively, start with an assumed setback based on thirty-five acre zoning. If that setback cannot be achieved on a specific site, given every effort to reduce the size of the development and its footprint, then allow consideration of revised setbacks, assuming
substantial, competent evidence that the development will not: (1)
fundamentally change the character of the adjacent area; (2)
substantially diminish the value of an adjacent site; or (3) impair the public’s enjoyment of adjacent publicly owned land; C. Mitigate adverse impacts of SKI-REC uses on adjacent Rural/Remote
zoning, by:
o Amending the SKI-REC zone to eliminate “resort cabins” as a
potential use in the zone, or alternatively, for lands rezoned from
Rural/Remote to the SKI-REC zone. 2. Rezone public lands within the Planning area to the RS-G (Resource-
Government) zone district, where appropriate.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 10
LAND USE & ZONING OBJECTIVES BY NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREA (NPA) Tagert Lake West NPA
Action Items
1. Maintain the existing AR-10 zoning on the valley floor.
2. Rezone public lands within the Planning Area, which are currently zoned
AR-10 to the Resource-Government zone district to preclude residential
development and reflect the resource conservation uses that currently exist on US Forest Service and other government-owned lands. (Conservation designation.)
Tagert Lake East NPA
Action Items
1. Maintain Rural-Remote zoning to provide the maximum protection of the natural undeveloped public lands within the Planning Area.
2. Special uses on state and federal properties should be reviewed for
consistency with this Master Plan.
Objectives
1. Maintain the rural residential character, including the environmental and
visual quality.
2. Zoning should reflect the resource conservation uses that currently exist within the Tagert Lake West NPA.
3. Utilize the RS-G (Resource-Government) zone district on locally owned
conservation parcels to reflect the intended open space and conservation use.
Objectives
1. Zoning in the Tagert Lake East NPA should be in keeping with the existing
undeveloped public lands and should maintain the natural scenic character of the corridor along Highway 82 to the county boundary.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 11
Aspen Mountain/Richmond Ridge NPA With the exception of ski area improvements and structures there is very little residential development on the mining claims off of the Aspen Mountain and
Richmond Ridge Roads on the Independence Pass side of Richmond Ridge.
These areas do contain Rural and Remote (R/R) residential cabins or have
utilized TDRs to preclude the property from further development. The Aspen Mountain Ski Area contains ski area improvements and structures and consists of private mining claims and public lands subject to Aspen Skiing Company’s Special Use Permit issued and administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The Aspen
Mountain Ski Area Master Plan, as accepted by the U.S. Forest Service and
approved by the County and amended periodically, generally directs
development, uses and activities within the ski area. The base of the Aspen
Mountain Ski Area is located within the City of Aspen and not included with this Master Plan. However, several private parcels on the face of Aspen Mountain, not within the ski area boundary, are within the Neighborhood Planning Area.
Action Items
1. Rezone public lands within the NPA which are currently zoned AR-10, to the Resource-Government zone district to preclude residential development
and reflect the resource conservation uses that currently exist on US Forest
Service and other government-owned lands. (Conservation designation.)
Objectives
1.Zoning should reflect the resource conservation, backcountry residential
and dispersed recreational uses that exist within the Aspen
Mountain/Richmond Ridge NPA.
2.Special event uses and activities on state and federal properties should be reviewed for consistency with this Master Plan.
3. Maintain Rural/Remote zoning on the privately held parcels and public
lands along Richmond Hill Ridge and to the east of the SKI-REC zoned area, except lands directly adjacent to the ski area may be rezoned to SKI-REC to expand the Aspen Mountain Ski Area boundary with necessary U.S. Forest Service and County approvals, (and only when such expansion is specifically identified within the approved Pitkin
County Aspen Mountain Ski Area Master Plan in effect at the time of
the zone change request.)(Staff addition) . 4. Preserve the open space and recreational values on the face of Aspen Mountain.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 12
2. Coordinate with CDOT and USFS regarding special use activities and special events.
3. Rezone parcels on the face of Aspen Mountain to Low Density/Low
Intensity/ Open Space/Recreational, Rural and Remote, TR-2 and/or SKI‐
REC zone districts based on location and use, subject to compliance with
the rezoning criteria in the Land Use Code, including consistency with the applicable Pitkin County Master Plan(s).
4. Limit any rezoning from the Rural-Remote zone district to SKI-REC in the
Richmond Ridge area and to the east of the Aspen Ski Area to areas and
uses that are clearly compatible with and do not change or erode the
character of the Rural Remote Zone. Smuggler/Hunter Creek NPA – Hunter Creek Valley
Action Items
1. Rezone the AR-10 zoned large lots between the Red Mountain Subdivision and the Hunter Creek Valley to a zone district which would preclude further
subdivision and retain a buffer between the R/R zone and the higher
density zoning of Red Mountain Subdivision. (Low Density designation.)
Objectives
1. The face of Smuggler Mountain (as viewed from the City of Aspen)
should remain undeveloped for visual (open space) character and
recreational uses, with the exception of the lower part closest to city limit below elevation 8230. An open space designation is more appropriate for the portion of Smuggler Mountain facing the City of Aspen with a R/R
designation beyond the ridge road to the northeast.
2. The top and back of Smuggler Mountain should be maintained as R/R in
order to preserve the rural mountain character.
3. The larger tracts on Red Mountain to the north and east of Red Mountain Subdivision should be maintained as larger tracts and be precluded from
further subdivision in order to preserve a buffer between existing dense
residential use and R/R-zoned public lands above.
4. Zoning on private conservation parcels on Red Mountain (Duroux Ranch conservation parcel) should reflect the intended conservation uses of the property.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 13
2. Rezone public lands and locally owned conservation parcels, currently zoned AR-10, to the RS-G zone district to preclude residential development and reflect the resource conservation uses that currently exist on the land
(Conservation designation.)
3. Rezone the large conservation parcel (the north Duroux Ranch) to the RS-G
zone district. 1.2 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines and the Board of County
Commissioners note the following regarding growth management:
“Utilize growth management and the Land-Use Code to create an equitable, sustainable and resilient regional quality of life and economy for the future, and to meet our climate action objectives.” “It is the policy of the County to manage the rate at which development applications are approved, as well as the type, location, quality and ultimate quantity of growth.” Pitkin County does not generally support extensions of public utilities such as municipal water and sewer lines outside of the Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs).
Action Items
1. Amend the scenic overlay maps and zone districts to incorporate
guidelines that will address the visual concerns associated with larger home
development and development within Rural and Remote areas of the East
Objectives
1. Ensure that growth within the Planning Area occurs at a slow rate
consistent with the recent past and with other county policies related to growth and development.
2. Permit home size above growth management exempt square footage
allowances in the Tagert Lake West NPA on parcels where visual and
environmental quality can be maintained.
3. Maintain the visual quality of the area, specifically from Highway 82, and along Richmond Ridge Road.
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East of Aspen-Independence Pass Master Plan (2021) 14
of Aspen - Independence Pass Planning Area. Work with East of Aspen - Independence Pass residents to identify areas that are not currently, but should be, mapped for scenic review (specifically along Highway. 82, and
along Richmond Hill Road).
2. In order to preserve the scenic character of the existing open valley floor
and flanking mountainsides, utilize the Scenic View Protection criteria in the Pitkin County Land Use Code as part of the development review process for all lands identified on the Scenic View Protection maps, as amended
pursuant to the action item #1, above.
3. Encourage the Community Development Department to continue its
practice of monitoring growth and development within the Planning Area and to utilize this data in future efforts to refine the Land Use Code in response to substantive changes in growth trends.
4. Analyze existing home size-related regulations and recent development
data to determine whether changes to house size regulations are
warranted to preserve the existing visual character, address climate action
objectives and/or manage other growth impacts within the Planning Area.
5. Continue to allow the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area to be considered for approval of TDR receiver sites subject to the review process and criteria contained in the Pitkin County Land Use Code. TRANSFERABLE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
Reserve for discussion SHORT TERM RENTALS Reserve for discussion
1.3 PUBLIC LANDS The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines note the following regarding public lands and recreation: “It is the policy of the County to preserve the physical environment; to improve County-wide recreational and trail opportunities; to ensure citizens’ rights of appropriate access to public lands on roads and trails historically open to the public; and to protect existing open space from urbanization and development in order to maintain quality of life and enjoyment of the environment.”
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“The County seeks to preserve and protect public lands from the impacts of incompatible development by promoting land uses within and nearby public lands which are compatible with public use of those lands, and with preservation of the natural environment.” “The County seeks to promote and encourage the transfer of private inholdings to public ownership with the objective of promoting consistent management of the public lands to reduce conflicts between private owners and developers and the public at large.”
“Federal land exchange where public lands may be exchanged and privatized, should be consistent with and further the policies of Pitkin County, including preserving or enhancing recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, agricultural heritage, scenic viewplanes and public access. In addition, such exchanges should result in no net loss of equal quality publicly owned acreage within the Roaring Fork Watershed.”
“The County supports collaborative efforts between local, state and federal agencies in the development and updating of Resource Management Plans for public lands.”
Action Items
1. Rezone public lands within the Planning Area, which are currently zoned AR-10 to the Resource-Government zone district to preclude residential
development and reflect the resource conservation uses that currently exist
on US Forest Service and other government-owned lands. (Conservation
designation.)
1.4 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Objectives
1. Manage private and public land development through zoning and
access limitations appropriate for the entrance to the East of Aspen –
Independence Pass Planning Area in order to protect public lands and
enhance the recreational experience.
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The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines provide the following policy guidance regarding residential development:
“Lands outside the (urban) growth boundaries will be deemed most appropriate for the preservation of agriculture, natural habitat, environmental resources, open space and rural residential uses.”
“Pitkin County seeks to preserve its natural, rural scenery and natural landmarks for the benefit of its residents and the continued viability of its resort economy.”
“Creative design approaches, including clustering as an example, are encouraged to integrate siting in harmony with the environment and consistent with land use policies. Such development tends to minimize the cost of governmental and other services, maximize open space, preserve agricultural lands, and minimize automobile congestion and hazardous conditions on public roads and highways.”
Action Items
1. Ensure that zoning promotes and protects the agricultural and rural
residential character and existing low-density residential development
patterns of the area, providing incentives for the preservation of open, agricultural, and other natural resource lands and allowing for very low-density development of sensitively sited single-family homes.
2. Consider revising Land Use regulations to allow the County to vary house
size depending on the visibility of the residence from public roads.
(Also see zoning change recommendations under the Zoning Section of this Plan.)
Objectives
1. Future residential development within the Planning Area should be consistent with, and complimentary to, the rural character of the area.
The natural environment should dominate a person’s experience of the
valley. To this end, residential development should be defined by extremely low-density, single-family residential housing of moderate size and bulk.consistent with scenic, environmental, and climate action objectives in this Master Plan.
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1.5 AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines note the following regarding citizen
housing:
“It is the policy of the County to encourage the existence of a supply of desirable and affordable housing for persons employed in Pitkin County, those with special needs, senior citizens, and other qualified persons. Pitkin County seeks to preserve existing affordable housing to the extent possible and to encourage the development of affordable housing within established urban growth boundaries, where employment, services and facilities are typically already established.” “It is the policy of Pitkin County to promote the availability of affordable housing for employees generated by proposed development.” “A diversity of housing types and densities is necessary in order to ensure affordable housing for a range of individuals and families. Deed-restricted housing for full-time versus seasonal employees is preferred for development, especially within Urban Growth Boundaries.” “Affordable housing of urban or suburban densities is not encouraged outside the Urban Growth Boundaries if it promotes sprawl or other development inconsistent with this or other policies or regulations of the County. Affordable housing outside Urban Growth Boundaries may be acceptable if it is: (i) Employee Dwelling Units (EDU) and Caretaker Dwelling Units (CDU); (ii) job related on-site housing; (iii) conversion of existing locally serving housing; (iv) on-site required mitigation housing; or (v) replacement of existing affordable housing.” “Special attention should be directed to providing for dispersal of housing for low and moderate income families and low income senior citizens throughout the residential areas of the Urban Growth Boundaries with due consideration to other policies of the County and the availability of water and sewer service, fire protection, public transportation, employment, shopping, schools, social services, and recreational activities.” “Rehabilitation of existing residential facilities is promoted where feasible. The purchase and buy-down of existing units throughout the county is encouraged since it promotes affordable housing goals without increasing growth rates or impacts.” “The use of energy conservation and innovative home building techniques in order to reduce construction and/or operating costs without sacrificing safety
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or desirability of the housing is encouraged and supported. When appropriate, the revision or adoption of building codes will be encouraged to meet this objective. For deed restricted housing projects, a preference will be given to developers and contractors that utilize such techniques.”
Action Items
1. Discourage new affordable housing within the rural portion of the Planning
Area (outside the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary - UGB) except for
Employee Dwelling Units (EDU) and Caretaker Dwelling Units (CDU) as
currently permitted in the Land Use Code.
2. Encourage the purchase and buy-down of existing units within the UGB portion of the Planning Area as one measure to promote affordable
housing without increasing growth rates or impacts.
3. Add other policies here based on input from area residents. 1.6 COMMERCIAL/CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL USES & SPECIAL EVENTS The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines note the following regarding new commercial development:
“New commercial development should be located within established urban growth boundaries unless it is of a scale and capacity deemed to be appropriate within identified boundaries.”
Action Items
Objectives
1. To the extent possible, direct affordable housing to the urban growth
boundary portion of the Planning Area. Caretaker or employee dwelling
units are acceptable within the Planning Area.
Objectives
1. Preclude commercial uses that would change the rural residential character of the area.
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1. Modify zoning, if necessary, to prohibit commercial uses (other than home occupations as defined in the Pitkin County Land Use Code, commercial permits issued by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails and agriculture-
related commercial uses, such as horse boarding and hay sales) within the
East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area.
2. Develop provisions to prohibit the use of residential properties as primarily commercial, short-term rental properties. For Discussion
1.7 MINING CLAIMS/MINERAL DEVELOPMENT The Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines note the following regarding new mineral development:
“Pitkin County supports a reduction in energy consumption for both the County organization and the community at large, while advocating for the development of clean, environmentally sound renewable energy resources and technology.”
“Mineral development should be limited to that which provides energy that will be developed and utilized with negligible degradation to air and water quality or quantity; and without detriment to public lands, wildlife, agriculture, and rural character that sustain the local and regional tourist-based economy.”
Action Items
1. Strictly enforce all existing local, state and federal regulations governing mining, mineral exploration, oil and gas exploration and drilling, sand and gravel pits and all other extractive operations when such operations are
proposed within the Planning Area.
2. Seek to improve the existing regulations governing mining, mineral
exploration, and other extractive operations in the Pitkin County Land Use Code to prevent such activities from occurring on private lands within the Planning Area and, to the extent possible, discourage such activities on public lands.
Objectives:
1. Protect lands within the Planning Area from the environmental impacts of mining, mineral exploration, oil and gas drilling and exploration, sand and gravel pits, rock crushers, concrete batch plants, large-scale geothermal extraction or exploration and other extractive operations.
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a. Revise the Land Use Code definition section to include “extractive operations” and incorporate oil and gas, fracking, geothermal, mineral exploration, drilling and mining in this definition.
b. Consider establishing a more stringent set of review criteria for
special use permits for extractive operations.
3. In the event that mineral extraction is practiced in this planning area, such practice should be done in an environmentally sound manner, subject to the Pitkin County Land Use Code.
4. Add policies regarding mining claims based on input from Community
Development Department and area residents.
SECTION 2: ENVIRONMENT
2.1 WATER RESOURCES/AQUATIC HABITAT/RIPARIAN/WETLANDS
Several Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines address water quantity, quality,
water/utility service and septic, as follows:
“It is the policy of the County to preserve and protect its present water resources, recognizing the County’s semi-arid character and that significant transmountain and transbasin diversions and the vested rights of senior appropriators have materially curtailed the availability of water resources. Furthermore, wetlands and riparian ecosystems, which are important to maintaining the overall balance of ecological systems; and are important plant communities, wildlife habitat and movement corridors, should be conserved, protected and restored. The County seeks to protect citizens’ rights to permanently protected minimum stream flows in rivers and creeks, and to the preservation of remaining natural riparian areas and wetlands.” “The right to maintain and not exceed the carrying capacity (sustainability) of the land and water, including protecting water quality.” “Land uses within the region should be designed to preserve and protect present water resources and to avoid significant adverse effects on the quantity, quality, or dependability of water resources in the County; Land uses should protect against significant increased salinization of water, loss of minimum instream flows, and the need for future major public expenditures to reacquire or redistribute water resources.”
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“To protect water resources and/or riparian habitat, development in areas adjacent to water bodies, functional irrigation ditches and natural watercourse areas should maintain adequate setbacks where necessary.”
Action Items
1. Modify run-off and/or erosion control regulations to the extent necessary to
ensure that water quality meets or exceeds federal, state, and local standards for health/safety and environmental quality.
2. In addition to surface water protection, land use and development review
should consider implications for aquifer depletion and subsurface water
quality and impacts to domestic water wells.
3. Efficient use of water by irrigators, homeowners, agricultural users, and other water users to conserve water along with the adoption of appropriate efficiency measures and programs to protect healthy flows in Planning Area creeks is encouraged. Encourage the installation and use of efficient
irrigation systems for both homeowners and agricultural users.
4. Establish and enforce regulations against the spread of harmful chemicals on agricultural properties and in road maintenance, pest management, and weed management practices.
5. Promote regional watershed planning and collaboration which is
fundamental to maintaining vibrant, healthy rivers and outstanding water
quality in the Colorado River Basin, along with intergovernmental
agreements and participation in water court proceedings, as warranted.
6. Development should not disturb the integrity of existing and natural drainage patterns. Land use and development activities that subject areas to increased potential for damage by flood, erosion or sedimentation, or
increase the potential for water pollution are discouraged. 2.2 SCENIC QUALITY
Objectives
1. Protection of all creeks, wetlands, other surface waters and riparian
areas is a high priority within the Planning Area and must be carefully considered in any private development proposal or public improvement project.
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Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines state the following relative to scenic quality:
“To the extent possible, the county seeks to protect scenic corridors along highways, county roadways and mountain road systems.” “Appropriate buffer strips should be preserved along federal, state, and local roadways to protect public views, minimize safety concerns and environmental impacts and to preserve corridors for future transportation facilities.” “It is the policy of the County to ensure that the night sky can be viewed by citizens without the interference of unnecessary artificial light from growth, urbanization and highway development.” “It is the policy of the County that its natural, rural scenery be preserved for the benefit of its residents and the continued viability of its resort economy. Undergrounding of utility lines is supported where and when appropriate to minimize visual impact.”
Action Items
1. Work with the Community Development Department to identify lands within the Planning Area that are not currently but should be, included within the mapped Scenic View Protection Area . The revised Scenic View Protection Area maps should consider views from Hunter Creek Road and
Richmond Hill Road.
2. Strengthen the County’s scenic regulations to effectively regulate areas of
high importance in the Rural/Remote zone district, by:
Objectives
1.Protect the scenic rural character in the East of Aspen - Independence
Pass Planning Area as defined by the open, lush riparian valley and undisturbed mountainsides. Maintain the primitive and remote visual character within the Aspen Mountain/Richmond Ridge NPA and the Smuggler/ Hunter Creek NPA and maintain the face of Smuggler
Mountain as an undeveloped hillside as viewed from the City of Aspen.
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• Listing all of Pitkin County’s claimed public roads as areas subject to scenic review, such as Richmond Hill Road, Little Annie Road, Midnight Mine Road, and Express Creek Road;
• Updating scenic standards so they allow for reduction of
development where necessary to preserve scenic values.
3. Utilize the Scenic View Protection criteria in the Pitkin County Land Use Code as part of the development review process for all lands identified on the Scenic View Protection maps, as amended pursuant to the action item one above, in order to preserve the scenic character of the existing open
valley floor and flanking mountainsides.
4. Encourage Ensure that the Community Development Department has resources to continue to enforce the Pitkin County lighting regulations.
5. Encourage the County to consider amendments to the lighting regulations to further minimize the impacts of outdoor lighting as new information and
technology is made available.
6. Add others based on input from area residents. 2.3 AIR QUALITY
Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines state the following relative to air quality:
“It is the policy of the County that development not degrade air quality.”
Action Items
1. Ensure that current regulations governing air pollution at the local, state,
and federal level are enforced within the Roaring Fork Valley.
2. Continue efforts to control air pollution through enforcement of current policies and regulations including the Air Pollution Control and Solid Fuel Burning Devices and Restaurant Grill provisions of the County Code.
Objectives
1. Preserve the current air quality within the East of Aspen/Independence Planning Area for current residents and future generations.
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3. Work with the County and the City of Aspen on continued monitoring of air quality within the Caucus Area.
4. Continue to strengthen regulations, policies, and procedures to address the
impacts of construction on air quality.
5. Encourage the development and use of alternative energy vehicles.
6. Encourage the use of existing park and ride and other existing transit services and facilities.
7. Utilize a balance of incentives and land use/building/energy code
regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2.4 CLIMATE CHANGE & PREPAREDNESSRESILIENCY Pitkin County’s climate is already changing, and additional changes are anticipated throughout the 21st century and beyond. These local climate shifts will take place within the context of regional and global changes, all of which
may result in conditions unprecedented in human history. The impacts of
climate change are likely to affect residents, ecosystems, and environmental
amenities.
For Pitkin County, climate change will likely include longer summertime warm periods, earlier onset of spring snowmelt, more precipitation arriving as rain rather than snow, and longer dry periods with heavier precipitation events in
between. These types of changes could exacerbate already risky wildfire
conditions, flood hazards and place extra pressure on watersheds, and
negatively affect important ecosystems. Pitkin County Policy guidelines state the following relative to Climate Change and Resiliency “Pitkin County acknowledges that the economic and environmental
consequences of inaction with respect to climate change are potentially
catastrophic for the natural environment and current and future generations
in communities worldwide. At the same time, Pitkin County endeavors to
address causes of climate change at a local and national level, we strive to
be proactive in adaptation planning for resiliency relating to local land use
and natural resource management. We support coordinated and
collaborative efforts between local, state and federal agencies to design and
implement strategies to address climate change and resiliency.
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• Wildfire: Land use and forest management strategies to address the potential for wildfire, particularly at the wildland/urban interface, and to respond to a wildfire event.
• Flood: Land use and natural resource management strategies to address flood hazard and to respond to a flood event.
• Water Availability: Land use and natural resource management strategies to maintain healthy streams, reduce potential for drought, and to develop strategies in the event of drought to address potable water supply, wildfire potential, forest health, the local/regional recreation/tourist economy, fisheries, and agriculture.
• Biodiversity: Forest management strategies to maintain biodiversity as a means to limit impacts of changing climate.
• Resilient Infrastructure: Design and location of buildings and structures to withstand adverse conditions related to changing climate.
• Economic Resilience: Strategies to encourage a diverse economy to respond to changing snowpack and other climate related factors as they may impact tourism.”
Action Items
Climate
1. Support and implement direction and goals established and periodically
updated in the Pitkin County Climate Emergency Resolution and Climate Action Plans adopted by Pitkin County, including at a minimum, but not limited to:
Objectives
1.Actively address the threats presented by climate change in order to protect the environment, the wildlife, and residents within the Planning
Area. Inaction, with respect to climate change, is potentially
catastrophic for the natural environment and all those who rely upon it.
The residents and landowners within the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area will endeavor to address energy consumption at the local level and to develop greater resiliency in local land use and natural resource management.
2. To restore a safe and stable climate, mobilize across all sectors to rapidly
drawdown or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and to
implement measures that will reach zero greenhouse gas emissions.
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• Reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 2020 levels by 2050 through the measurable implementation of policies that preserve community character and equitably distribute policy impacts among
those of different socio-economic and racial backgrounds;
• Cooperating with other jurisdictions, special districts, utilities and organizations, local municipalities and other counties, to adapt
infrastructure, land-use, and regional and environmental resources for the
impacts of Climate Change.
• Equitably involving citizens and stakeholders of all socio-economic and
racial backgrounds in outreach and education programs to determine
and provide best practices for Climate Change adaptation and
mitigation.
• Working towards net-zero energy use;
• Encouraging installation of renewable energy technologies;
• Working towards the diversion of construction and demolition waste and debris from the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center;
• Continually supporting and developing regional mass transit efforts and transportation solutions.
RESILIENCY
1. Wildfire: Work with Pitkin County to develop and use forest management
strategies to address the potential for wildfire, particularly at the wild
land/urban interface, and to respond to a wildfire event.
a. Promote land use and forest management strategies to mitigate
increased wildfire potential.
b. Enable landowners to create defensible spaces by helping secure fire
mitigation funding.
c. Encourage wildfire resistant buildings and landscaping by providing tax
incentives and reducing building and/or other permit fees.
d. Promote land use and forest management strategies to mitigate increased wildfire potential.
e. Endeavor to educate Planning Area residents and land owners regarding wildfire issues, including outreach to the public (See T-Lazy-7 Ranch’s wildfire information, Appendix D).
2. Flood: Assist in developing and using natural resource management strategies to address flood hazard and to respond to a flood event, including prohibiting all new development in areas prone to flooding.
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3. Water Supply: Actively promote protection of all water sources within the Planning Area through conservation and irrigation that supports subsurface aquifers and natural springs and policies that ensure stream protection,
including the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan.
4. Ground Water: Residents of the Planning Area support water protection and enhancement projects that align with the Roaring Fork Watershed
Plan.
a. We support a county-wide water conservation plan that includes the
Planning Area in order to protect the area from unreasonable depletion
of underground water supplies. This plan should be a collaborative
effort with the City of Aspen, to ensure that water conservation is integral
to municipal water use and planning , and is considered in the review of new development within the urban growth area and/or City annexations .
b. We support Pitkin County’s policy to protect the quality and quantity of ground aquifers, encourage the development of source water protection plans, with assistance from the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment, and implement applicable best
management strategies.
c. We support Pitkin County’s efforts to increase awareness of domestic source water protection issues, ensure application of best technologies
for water efficient fixtures in buildings, and encourage the retrofitting of
existing homes with water efficient fixtures as opportunities allow.
d. We support Pitkin County’s policy to provide incentives for the reuse of
gray water for domestic irrigation, legal commercial activity, and
establish effective and workable regulations governing gray water re-
use in order to eliminate or minimize environmental impacts and health and safety concerns related to such re-use within the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area.
5. Surface Water: We support Pitkin County’s policy to not only develop natural resource and water use management strategies to maintain healthy streams, but to also develop strategies to address potable water
supply, wildfire potential, forest health, the local/regional recreation/tourist
economy, fisheries, and agriculture in the event of a prolonged drought.
a. Pitkin County should encourage the use of irrigation that supports
subsurface aquifers and natural springs in the application of agricultural
irrigation water.
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b. Pitkin County should protect Creeks within the Planning Area against damming and other diversions to serve growth, which itself contributes to climate change.
6. Biodiversity: We recommend developing forest management strategies to maintain biodiversity as a means to limit impacts of changing climate.
7. Resilient Infrastructure: Pitkin County should develop regulations for the design and location of new buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures to withstand adverse conditions related to changing climate.
8. Economic Resiliency: We support the development of strategies to encourage a diverse economy in order to respond to changing snowpack
and other climate-related factors as they may impact tourism and to
develop plans and regulations to rebuild in the aftermath of a natural
disaster (e.g. wildfire, flood) to promote a rapid return to economic
sustainability.
9. Food Security: We recommend exploring regulations for the
encouragement of local food growers and markets, where feasible, in order to rely less on outside sources. 2.5 HISTORIC RESOURCES
Pitkin County Policy guidelines state the following relative to cultural and historic
resources:
“It is the policy of Pitkin County to ensure that historic and archaeological resources are preserved, protected and maintained. Every effort will be made to identify and protect prehistoric and historic sites that meet national, state, or local criteria for historic designation from neglect, destruction or harmful alteration.”
Objectives
1. Preserve, protect and maintain historic and archaeological resources located within the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning Area, especially those that meet national, state, or local criteria for historic designation.
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Action Items
1. Encourage the County to continue to refine the Historic Preservation
section of the Land Use Code to promote the broadest participation possible in the preservation of historic and archeological resources within the Planning Area and throughout the County.
2. Encourage property owners, whose property contains historic or
archeological resources that may meet local, state, or national designation
standards to meet with the Pitkin County Community Development Department to explore the requirements and benefits of seeking protection for such resources under the Historic Preservation Regulations in the Land Use Code.
3. Determine whether it’s feasible for collaboration between the Pitkin County
Open Space and Trails BoardSupport non-profits and the U.S. Forest Service
in their effortsto preserve existing deteriorating historic cabins in the Hunter Creek Valley on U.S. Forest Service lands.
3. Add more here pending input from area residents.
2.6 WILDLIFE
The following policy statement from the Pitkin County Policy Guidelines provides guidance regarding the County’s overall intent with the respect to the protection of wildlife habitat: “It is the policy of the County to ensure that proposed land uses (including structures) are compatible with the ecosystem of wildlife habitats and do not pose immediate, long term or potential detrimental impacts to such habitats. The County seeks to preserve, restore and perpetuate native wildlife and plant diversity by maintaining sufficient habitat.”
Action Items
1. Support and implement the recommendations of the 1997“Roaring Fork
Biological Inventory.”
Objectives
1.Maintain and enhance the quality wildlife habitat within the East of
Aspen/ Independence Pass Planning Area.
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2. Consider the adoption of land use regulations that include a broad perspective in terms of wildlife habitat, including the concept of “biodiversity,” which places greater importance on preserving a broad
spectrum of plant and animal species as opposed to a few “indicator”
species.
3. Incorporate any applicable findings and recommendations of the Roaring Fork River Watershed Biodiversity Initiative and the Roaring Fork Watershed Wetland Study into the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Master Plan
when the study has been completed and the findings are available.
4. Encourage the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Department to
continue monitoring and analyzing potential impacts on wildlife and riparian habitat associated with the recreational activities and facilities within the Planning Area, particularly at the North Star Nature Preserve, to determine whether refinements to current use restrictions, or additional restrictions on use, should be considered in order to achieve the resource
preservation and recreation management goals contained in the North
Star Nature Preserve Management Plan (2020). 2.7 WILDFIRE
The following policy statements from the Pitkin County Policy Guidelines provide
guidance regarding the County’s overall intent with the respect to wildfire
protection and the provision of emergency services: “We support coordinated and collaborative efforts between local, state and federal agencies to design and implement land use and forest management strategies to address the potential for wildfire, particularly at the wildland/urban interface, and to respond to a wildfire event.” “The County seeks cooperation with emergency service agencies in establishing emergency access road standards that adequately address safety needs in the context of rural character. “ Development in natural hazard areas should be avoided. When avoidance is not possible, mitigation should be designed and implemented to minimize potential harm to life, safety, health, and property.
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Action Items
1. Consider modifying County land use and building regulations to require
that retroactive “defensible space” standards be met by all existing
residences when a building permit is sought for remodeling.
2. Establish and distribute a hand-out to all landowners containing a clear protocol for ditch burning and other controlled burns and providing a description of the process, contacts, and information necessary to obtain
the required burn permit from the County.
3. Residents should Work work with Pitkin County, the Aspen Fire Protection
District and the Colorado State Forest Service to develop a community evacuation plan to prepare for a wildfire event or other natural or man-made disaster that may occur.
4. Develop a strategy with Pitkin County, the Fire Protection District, the Colorado State Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, to determine the best solution for resolving conflicting mitigation requirements when there are wildfire, as well as other environmental constraints, on a proposed
development or remodel site.
5. Encourage all existing properties, Homeowners Associations, and sub-
divisions to seek wildfire risk assessments from the responsible and qualified agencies, and to implement and maintain home ignition zone landscaping and structure/site maintenance recommendations.
6. Support County Climate Change and Preparedness policies that address
wildfire hazards and management including the following:
“Encourage coordinated and collaborative efforts between local, state
and federal agencies to design and implement land use and forest
management strategies to address the potential for wildfire, particularly at
the wildland/urban interface, and to respond to a wildfire event.”
Objectives
1. Cooperate with the Pitkin County Community Development Department, the Aspen Fire Protection District, and other appropriate government agencies to establish and administer wildfire policies and
programs to minimize the danger and destruction associated with
wildfires within the East of Aspen/Independence Pass Planning Area.
2. Encourage Planning area residents to proactively engage in self-support measures to ensure their own safety in the event of wildfire.
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2.8 SLOPES & FLOODING
Pitkin County Policy guidelines state the following relative to flooding:
“We support coordinated and collaborative efforts between local, state and federal agencies to design and implement land use and natural resource management strategies to address flood hazard and to respond to a flood event.” “Development should not disturb the integrity of existing and natural drainage patterns. Land use and development activities that subject areas to increased potential for damage by flood, erosion or sedimentation, or increase the potential for water pollution are discouraged.”
Action Items
1. Work with the USFS regarding management practices for the Warren Lakes
area as it relates to Warren Creek.
21. Work with the Tagert Lake West neighborhood, CDOT and the USFS to
establish best management practices for the Warren Lakes area as it relates to Warren Creek.relative to Warren Creek.
32. Work with the US Forest Service to address the management of USFS lands above the Roaring Fork Valley to avoid potential impacts associated with
erosion and flooding in the valley below. SECTION 3 - INFRASTRUCTURE & ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES 3.1 ROADS/TRAFFIC & SAFETY
Objectives
1. “Protect the integrity of existing natural drainage patterns. Land use and
development activities that subject areas to increased potential for damage by flood, erosion or sedimentation, or increase the potential for water pollution are discouraged.”
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Pitkin County Policy guidelines state the following relative to transportation and roads:
“The County encourages transportation programs, modes and land use patterns that minimize automobile congestion, promote safety and reduce sources of air pollution.” “Where practical, the County seeks to retain existing unpaved roads as a reflection of our rural character. The County also seeks to preclude winter maintenance extending farther into remote areas of the County. The safety and rural character impacts likely from increased winter maintenance is avoidable and undesirable.” “The County seeks cooperation with emergency service agencies in establishing emergency access road standards that adequately address safety needs in the context of rural character.” “New and upgraded roadways should be designed, engineered, and constructed to minimize environmental and aesthetic damage and future maintenance costs consistent with public safety needs.” “Development that causes significant road service level reductions is discouraged.” “Roadway capacity improvements should integrate alternative modes of transportation, such as bicycles and transit, and pedestrian ways so as to add "people carrying" capacity to the roadway, not just vehicular capacity, whenever feasible.”
Highway 82
Action Items
1. Pitkin County should work with CDOT to extend the paved shoulders for cyclists and to widen the pavement area, to improve safety, on the uphill
Objectives
1. Make safety improvements to Highway 82 for motorists and bicyclists relative to sharing the road.
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side of the highway where the road comes very close to the wetlands (in close proximity to mile marker 45).
2. Manage/formalize recreational parking used to access the North Star
Preserve and Roaring Fork River from Highway 82 within the Planning Area.
3. The County should continue to work with CDOT to install/maintain emergency phones at strategic places on Independence Pass above the Winter Closure Gate.
4. Appropriate buffer strips should be preserved along federal, state and local
roadways to protect public views, minimize safety concerns and
environmental impacts, and to preserve corridors for future transportation facilities.
Lincoln Creek Road
Action Items
1. Maintain the current “Limited Service Area Road” designation in the County’s Road Maintenance and Management Plan which is consistent with the desire to maintain Lincoln Creek Road as a rural, recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt road.
2. Keep unpaved roads in their current condition with regular maintenance to
eliminate washboards and other safety hazards but without further
widening, straightening, or changing the type of surface (except where safety is an issue).
Smuggler Mountain Road
Objectives
1. Maintain Lincoln Creek Road as a recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt road.
Objectives
1. Maintain Smuggler Mountain Road as a recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt
Road
Commented [TM2]: Is this segment of road still a problem, has it been improved since 2003?
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Action Items
1. Maintain the current “Limited Service Area Road” designation in the
County’s Road Maintenance and Management Plan which is consistent with the desire to maintain Smuggler Mountain Road as a rural, recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt road.
2. Any improvements to Smuggler Mountain Road will be subject to
consistency with the 2003 Smuggler Mountain Road Settlement Agreement
as long as that agreement is in effect. Hunter Creek Toll Road
Action Items
1. Maintain the current “Limited Service Area Road” designation in the
County’s Road Maintenance and Management Plan which is consistent
with the desire to maintain Lincoln Hunter Creek Road as a rural,
recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt road.
2. Honor the terms of the settlement agreement between the County, US Forest Service and the private property owners regarding maintenance and
use of the Hunter Creek Toll Road. Richmond Hill Road
Action Items
1. Maintain the current “Limited Service Area Road” designation in the
County’s Road Maintenance and Management Plan which is consistent with the desire to maintain Richmond Hill Road as a rural, recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt road.
Objectives
1. Maintain Hunter Creek Toll Road as a recreational, narrow, scenic, dirt
road.
Objectives
1. Maintain Richmond Hill Road as a recreational, rural, scenic road.
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2. Adhere to the management of the road as approved in the 1999 “Richmond Ridge/ Little Annie Management Plan.”
Aspen Mountain Road
Action Items
1. Maintain the current “Low Service Area Road” designation in the County’s
Road Maintenance and Management Plan which is consistent with the desire to maintain Aspen Mountain Road as a gravel recreational road that has low to limited traffic volumes and receives no winter, and limited summer, maintenance. 3.2 TRANSIT
The following County Land Use Policy Guideline exists regarding transit:
“The County encourages transportation programs, modes and land use patterns that minimize automobile congestion, promote safety and reduce sources of air pollution.”
Action Items
Objectives
1. Maintain Aspen Mountain Road as recreational access to the National Forest, acknowledging the summer and winter needs of the Aspen Mountain Ski Area and acknowledging the use of the road pursuant to
the Aspen Mountain SKI-REC Master Plan, as approved by the County.
Objectives
1. Support the current mass transit system and improvements that may
increase its ability to provide continued, convenient service to the
broadest possible ridership base and reduce automobile traffic and associated greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring that the rural character within the Highway 82 corridor is preserved.
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1. Explore the need and economic feasibility of extending the current dial-a-ride service as far as Difficult Campground.
2. The City and the County, along with RFTA, should pursue the development
of several parking spaces on the east edge of town adjacent to bus
service in order to allow East of Aspen residents to use public transit and
curtail additional cars coming into Aspen (without the need to extend the service further from town). 3.3 UTILITIES: WATER SERVICE & SEWAGE DISPOSAL Water Service/Water Quality While the City of Aspen Water Service Area extends into the western portion of
the Planning Area, a majority of the residential development within the Planning
Area relies on wells and septic systems. Pitkin County Policy guidelines state the following relative to utilities:
“It is the policy of the County to regulate public and private utility extensions. Areas served by such extensions must be found suitable for development in accordance with the Pitkin County Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code.”
“Pitkin County generally does not support extensions of public utilities such as municipal water and sewer lines outside of the Urban Growth Boundaries.”
Action Items
1. Enforce current Pitkin County Environmental Health Department regulations which require the issuance of an OWTS permit prior to the sale of properties served by one or more OWT system(s) or prior to the issuance of a building
Objectives
1. Pursue all readily available means to guarantee the availability of clean,
healthy drinking water to every residence in the East of Aspen –
Independence Pass Planning Area while maintaining the current quality and quantity of surface and ground water.
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permit (where the permit valuation exceeds $30,000) for a property already served by one or more OWT system(s).
2. Monitor wetlands and wells to determine the extent (if any) to which water
quality has been impacted.
Sewage Disposal The Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District (ACSD) provides sewer service to a few properties immediately adjacent to the City of Aspen within the Planning
Area and to a handful of properties to the south of The Preserve. The remainder
of the Planning Area relies on individual septic systems.
Pitkin County Land Use Policy Guidelines related to sewage treatment and disposal: “Pitkin County generally does not support extensions of public utilities such as municipal water and sewer lines outside of the Urban Growth Boundaries.” “Adequate sewage treatment facilities must be feasible and available to serve existing and new developments. Sewage treatment facilities must be maintained at a level that ensures water quality protection. “
Action Items
1. Monitor water quality in the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries and
specifically monitor older septic systems within the planning area, especially in the Tagert Lake West NPA along the Roaring Fork River. 2. Modify runoff and/or erosion control regulations to the extent necessary to
ensure that water quality meets state and local standards for health/safety
and environmental quality.
Objectives
1. Encourage property owners within the Planning Area to manage
wastewater disposal in a manner that protects groundwater and surface water quality.
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3. Implement modifications to the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) regulations as necessary to ensure that water quality in streams and wells meets applicable health/safety and environmental quality standards.
4. Consider establishing incentives to encourage property owners with older
OWT systems to upgrade or replace those systems. 3.4 OPEN SPACE/TRAILS/RECREATION/TOURISM
The following policies from the County Policy Guidelines provide some guidance
regarding the County’s overall intent with the respect to open space, trails, and recreation: “It is the policy of the County to preserve the physical environment; to improve County-wide recreational and trail opportunities; to ensure citizens’ rights of appropriate access to public lands on roads and trails historically open to the public; and to protect existing open space from urbanization and development in order to maintain quality of life and enjoyment of the environment.” “Ski Areas: Pitkin County favors expansion of alpine ski area terrain at the 4 existing mountains rather than creation of new ski areas due to the needs associated with base area development and transportation. Currently the 4 mountains have the capacity and variety to serve the skiing public with the base areas being located either in the heart of Aspen or Snowmass or along existing serviceable transit routes. Expansion of terrain may be acceptable only with strict consideration for maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat, and under circumstances that result in no degradation to roadless or wilderness areas. Coordination with the Forest Service and ski area proponents regarding any ski area development must consider both on and offsite impacts such as affordable housing, transportation, waterways, air quality and adjacent neighborhoods.”
“Open Space and Trails Board: The County supports the Open Space and Trails Board in the acquisition maintenance and management of open space properties, for multiple purposes including recreational, wildlife, agricultural, scenic and access purposes; and in the acquisition, preservation, development, maintenance and management of trails for similar purposes. Parks, open space and public recreation facilities are encouraged throughout the County.”
“Trails: Non-motorized transportation alternatives, such as trails for bicycles, horses, pedestrians and cross-country skiers are encouraged. The County supports preservation and enhancement of access to trails; and
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development of bike and pedestrian ways that provide links between communities, residential and employment areas, commercial centers, recreational and open space areas, and educational facilities. Where motorized and non-motorized uses of trails are proposed or exist in common or in close proximity to one another, the County supports consideration of separate and distinct trails for each use. Efforts will be made to preserve existing and to secure new access points to public lands consistent with County and Federal plans and policies.”
Open Space
Action Items
1. Participate with the Open Space and Trails Board in the process of reviewing new or updated open space management plans for all county-managed open space parcels within the Planning Area.
2. Implement approved Open Space Management Plans as may be
periodically udated. Plans for open space management within the Planning area include but are not limited to the 2020 North Star Preserve Management Plan and the 2012 Smuggler Mountain Cooperative Plan.
3. Support collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal agencies in
the development and updating of Resource Management Plans for public
lands.
4. Rezone publicly owned parcels intended for conservation purposes to “Public” or “RS-G.”
5. Work with the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Department to monitor
and analyze potential impacts on wildlife habitat associated with the
Objectives
1. Maintain and manage the locally owned open space through the use of
open space management plans. As these plans are developed and
later updated, input should be sought from the residents of the planning
area.
2. Manage use of locally owned open space to minimize issues specific to associated parking, traffic and capacity to ensure compatibility with
residential use in the Planning area.
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recreational activities and facilities within the Planning Area to determine whether refinements to current use restrictions, or additional restrictions on use, should be considered in order to protect critical wildlife habitat.
6. Support U.S. Forest Service funding to manage existing campgrounds within
the Planning area to address overuse and eliminate related natural resource damage. 7. Consider revisiting and revising the Little Annie/Richmond Ridge Plan as
necessary; and/or if the Plan is found to still be current, work with the
County, the USFS and user groups to devise successful strategies to
implement the plan. (For Discussion.)
Trails
Action Items
1. Maintain current parking facilities at trailheads in good condition.
2. Pitkin County, the USFS and backcountry user groups should work together to monitor use levels on existing backcountry roads and trails and consider measures to manage impacts to existing backcountry roads and trails,
especially trailhead parking capacity and noise pollution associated with
motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATV’s.
3. Maintain the current trail system and access to public lands through private lands, where it currently exists, unless it is determined, through an open study process conducted by the USFS, that a particular trail should be relocated or closed.
4. Where new trails are contemplated, work with the County and agencies, as
appropriate, to conduct careful study of the location and use of such trails to ensure compatibility with the existing rural character of the Planning Area and to minimize impacts on nearby private properties and public roads.
a. Proposals for new trails should require review and approval by Pitkin County subject to comments by residents and property owners within the Planning Area and a finding of compatibility with the objectives and action items contained in this Master Plan.
Objectives
1. Preserve existing traiials and other recreational opportunities within the
Planning Area and maintain the quality of the recreational experience.
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Recreation & Tourism
Action Items
1. Work with the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Department to
Implement the policies and management actions contained in the
management plans for the open space areas within the Planning Area
including the North Star, James Smith and Smuggler Mountain areas. 2. In the event that requests are made for changes to the status quo at the Aspen Mountain Ski Area, support the following direction:
Coordination with the US Forest Service and ski area proponents to ensure that ski area development consider both on and off-site impacts such as affordable housing, transportation, waterways, air quality and
impacts to adjacent neighborhoods.
3. Preclude development of new ski areas (as opposed to expansion of terrain
within permit boundaries at existing ski areas.) 4. Coordinate with the Aspen Skiing Company and the Pitkin County Community Development Department to ensure that residents and
property owners within the East of Aspen – Independence Pass Planning
Area have ample opportunity to review and comment on any future
revisions to the Aspen Mountain Ski-Rec Master Plan.
Objectives
1. Manage commercial recreational use of publicly owned open space in
such a way that it does not conflict with or curtail the enjoyment of the
open space by other users.
2. Aspen Skiing Company operates Aspen Mountain Ski Area subject to a Special Use Permit issued and administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
The Aspen Mountain Ski Area SKI-REC Master Plan, as approved by the
County, governs development, uses and activities within the Aspen
Mountain Ski Area within the SKI-REC zone district. Support continued maintenance and improvements at the Aspen Mountain Ski Area, which are consistent with the current approved Aspen Mountain Ski-Rec Master Plan, provided those improvements do not adversely impact the existing
rural residential character within the East of Aspen – Independence Pass
Planning Area.
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FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Add discussion of future land use objectives and how they are achieved on the Future Land Use Map when the plan gets closer to adoption.
APPENDICIES
A. East of Aspen-Independence Pass Existing Conditions Report
B. Future Land Use Map (will be developed after adoption) C. Implementation Plan, Including Code Amendments (will be added after adoption) D. Add link to Smuggler Mountain Road Settlement Agreement E. Link to Pitkin County Weed Management Plan:
https://pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/18557/Weed-
Management-Plan-2019