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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpitco.ost.min.reg.01082004 . EXECUTIVE SESSION . . . The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at 12:26 p.rn., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 2:05 p.m. STAFF COMMENTS Carbondale Town Council Meeting Dale informed the OSTB that he would be attending the next Carbondale Town Council meeting to discuss their possible participation in Phase I of the Crystal Valley Trail. Seven Star Management Plan Dale informed the OSTB that staff is near completion of the Seven Star Management Plan, but that issues surrounding the Use and Maintenance Agreement with the seller need to be addressed before the plan can be implemented. BOARD COMMENTS There were no Board comments. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 2: 1 0 pm. Appr ved Attest Ci2'A!2(1d~ icken augh, Vice Chair pace and Trails Board 3 , . Minutes OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2004 Plaza One Conference Room Board Members Present: Tom Cardamone, Anne Rickenbaugh, Bill Fales, Hawk Greenway Others Present: Dale Will, Barb D' Autrechy, Gary Tennenbaum, Jonathan Lowsky, Ellen Sassano, Chris Seldin, Kevin Wright and Pat Tucker of the CDOW, Jeff Woods, Brian Flynn, Craig Ward Anne Rickenbaugh called the meeting to order at approximately 11 :05 a.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes of December 4 and 18,2003 were approved as amended. . HUNTING ON OST PROPERTIES Kevin Wright and Pat Tucker of the Colorado Division of Wildlife attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of hunting on OST properties. Dale prefaced the conversation by pointing out that when he came to the County in 1999, there was a prohibition against carrying or discharging firearms, or hunting on OST properties. The County Code was amended in 2001 to allow hunting on some OST properties, if called for in that specific property's management plan. Dale noted that at the time that amendment was made, it was envisioned that all management plans would be approved by BOCC ordinance, making them enforceable law. Dale also noted that this amendment left inconsistencies in the Code regarding firearms on OST properties, which need to be cleaned up. Dale surveyed other county open space programs on the subject and learned that only Jefferson County allows any hunting on their open space properties, and only on a limited basis. Jeff Co does this under an IGA with the DOW, which we will get a copy of. All other county programs the he heard from are grappling with the issue, just as Pitkin County is. Dale had the following questions for the DOW regarding hunting on OST properties: 1.) what is the DOW's authority to enforce on OST lands, 2.) what is the County's liability for hunting related injuries on OST lands, and, 3.) what hunter safety standards exist. It was also noted that, currently, the code regarding hunting on OST is being violated, since hunter access federal lands through Perham Creek Trailhead, Arbaney/KittJe trailhead and other properties. Kevin added that he had reports of hunters on Seven Star as well. Kevin explained to the OSTB that the herd on Seven Star has been monitored by the DOW and its population is currently 5,800. The population objective for that herd, set by the DOW based on available habitat and its condition, is 4500. Kevin explained that allowing access to this herd through OST lands would help the DOW meet its population objective for the herd, which would help improve the condition of the habitat on OST lands as well as the health of the elk herd. Staff confirmed that Seven Star and other properties are impacted by overbrowsing from elk. Kevin said that he was not seeking blanket approval for hunting on OST lands, but that some properties, such as inholdings in the forest and heavily used properties such as Seven Star, would be good candidates. Kevin addressed Dale's third question by noting that the C.R.S. prohibits firing from or across public roads. Additionally, there is a 500 sq. in. blaze orange requirement for any licensed hunter. . 1 . . . Hawk asked if a IGA would enable the DOW to enforce County regulations on County properties. Pat Tucker explained that state statutes prohibit the DOW from writing tickets for federal or county laws, but that they can pass information on a violation along to the appropriate agency and be a witness. The subject of enforcement was discussed. Kevin explained the Sportsman Courtesy Card Program which only let a limited number of hunters, who had to carry special permit cards with them, onto private lands to hunt. Kevin felt that this program has been successful in regulating the hunters on those private lands. Dale discussed the issue with Rick Neiley prior to the meeting. He said that Rick's concern was that once hunting is permitted on a property it would be hard to clamp down the use. Rick advised Dale that hunting access should be through a quota system to control the level of hunting on the property. Other suggestions to controlling hunting on OST properties were discussed, including limiting hunting to bow and/or black powder. DOW staff indicated that they would be happy to cooperate in any way possible to administer such a program. The desire to permit hunters to access across North Star to retrieve kill was also expressed. The OSTB was in agreement that hunting could be a good management tool for select properties, and that any hunting which would be permitted would be on a property-by-property basis. Additionally, they requested that the County Code be amended to permit access for hunters through trailhead properties and to be consistent on how hunting is addressed. It was noted that BOCC approval would be needed in order to permit any hunting, and that the boards should meet to discuss. Several questions, regarding liability, public reaction, and other issues will also need to be answered. The Board directed staff to come back with a recommendation for how the amend the existing code and how to address hunting within the management plans for the next meeting, including staff memos addressing liability relating to permitted hunting on County property, and the current impact on OST properties from overbrowsing by elk, so that the two boards could discuss the subject at the next joint meeting. Trail on Filoha Meadows Dale thanked Pat and Kevin for the letter stating the DOW's position on a trail on Filoha Meadows. Dale referred to that letter and a letter from Jonathan Lowsky that was distributed to the Board. Dale noted that both letters agreed that public access during the later summer months would not be detrimental to the wildlife values of the property, if the trail closure could be enforced. There was a discussion regarding the concerns with enforcing a seasonal closure on the trail. STAFF COMMENTS Bob Child Landowner of the Year Award Jonathan Lowsky informed the Board that Bob Child was awarded the Landowner of the Year award from the DOW and Colorado Wildlife Federation. The award will be presented at the Colorado Western Stock Show on January 22 at 7:00. Steve, Molly and Jeannie Child will be on hand to receive the award, along with members of the BOCC. OSTB trustees are invited to attend as well. LUNCH BREAK . Other Staff and Board Comments were deferred until after Executive Session. 2 . EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at 12:26 p.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 2:05 p.m. STAFF COMMENTS Carbondale Town Council Meeting Dale informed the OSTB that he would be attending the next Carbondale Town Council meeting to discuss their possible participation in Phase I ofthe Crystal Valley Trail. Seven Star Management Plan Dale informed the OSTB that staff is near completion of the Seven Star Management Plan, but that issues surrounding the Use and Maintenance Agreement with the seller need to be addressed before the plan can be implemented. BOARD COMMENTS There were no Board comments. . ADJOURN The OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 2: I 0 pm. Attest Ci2.J:d(1d~ . 3 J