Chelsea Self / Article Unbiased
A request by the corporate entrepreneurs of three undeveloped parcels in Aspen Glen to take out a protecting bald eagle buffer zone so they can be offered off and ultimately designed out will go to the Garfield County commissioners with a recommendation for approval.
However, county Setting up Commission customers reported throughout a lengthy general public listening to on the make a difference Wednesday night that the commissioners need to also get some superior clarity from state wildlife officers about the potential ramifications.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife encouraged in a May letter to county planners that, because the historic nest that the buffer zone was intended to secure no longer exists, the buffer zone protections are no longer necessary.
The top 50 % of the tree where the nesting web page experienced existed because at minimum the late 1940s, blew above in a June 2018 windstorm, according to Parks and Wildlife documentation.
Chelsea Self / Write-up Unbiased
Eagles that repeated the place have considering that founded a new nesting site less than a mile upstream, and close to a number of houses that were already created.
The May well CPW letter effectively reiterated a stance taken when the Aspen Glen Golfing Co. made its first request in drop 2020. At that time, county commissioners dominated that the ask for constitutes a “substantial change” to the Aspen Glen PUD approvals, subject to a comprehensive software and public hearing. That software was submitted in late March of this year.
Following a lot of Aspen Glen people commented during the Wednesday hearing against taking away the buffer zone, indicating a more extensive wildlife influence review is necessary, arranging commissioners agreed the CPW posture lacks depth.
“I was involved in this 28 years back,” Organizing Commissioner Greg McKennis stated, noting that as a member of the public he originally opposed the Aspen Glen progress.
Nevertheless, “It turned out to be a really fantastic improvement in phrases of executing what they stated they ended up heading to do,” he explained.
McKennis said the situation contacting for the buffer zone didn’t meet with considerably objection from the builders.
“No one ever believed it should really be something but safeguarded,” he stated.
From his recollection, though, the problem wasn’t as straightforward as safeguarding the one tree where the nesting web page experienced existed. It was about safeguarding the broader habitat along that stretch of the Roaring Fork River, McKennis supplied.
He requested the Arranging Commission continue the dialogue until Parks and Wildlife could weigh in with any additional views. As an alternative, the commission determined to insert as a condition of recommending acceptance that the elected Board of County Commissioners solicit that information.
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Davis Farrar of Western Slope Consulting spoke on behalf of Aspen Glen Golf Co., also indicating the purpose for the buffer zone no for a longer time exists.
“The tree fell, the nest was ruined, the eagles moved,” he reported.
Guide Steve Dahmer of Environmental Answers also reported the buffer zone was certain to the nest web page.
“The want no for a longer time exists,” he testified. “These eagles have revealed a outstanding tolerance for human action, and that goes from properties to constructing web sites to men and women walking dogs and a plethora of boats going down river and fishermen.”
A spokesperson for the Aspen Glen Property owners Association mentioned 98% of the property owners in Aspen Glen oppose taking away the buffer zone.
The subject is envisioned to go in advance of the county commissioners in early September.
Senior Reporter/Controlling Editor John Stroud can be attained at 970-384-9160 or [email protected].