HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Joint Study Session 06-17-2004 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 17, 2004
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the JOINT TOWN BOARD STUDY
SESSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting
held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 17th day of
June, 2004.
Town Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Doylen, Habecker, Jeffrey-Clark,
Levine, Newsom, Pinkham
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Doylen, Habecker, Jeffrey-Clark,
Levine and Pinkham
Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator
Repola, Community Development Dir. Joseph, Sr. Planner
Shirk, Clerk O’Connor
Absent: Trustee Newsom
Estes Valley Recreation
& Park District: Board Members Holmquist, Richardson, and Wilson,
Executive Dir. Gengler
Rocky Mountain National
Park Service: Vaughn Baker, Therese Johnson
Parsons Consultants: Timberley Belish, Janice Biletnikoff
Division of Wildlife: Rick Spowart/District Wildlife Mgr., Janet George/Wildlife
Biologist, Mark Leslie/Area Wildlife Mgr.
Bureau of Reclamation: Tara Moberg
A joint meeting was called with representatives from the RMNP, Town Board, EVRPD,
DOW, and BOR to discuss the preliminary Elk Management Alternatives (7) and the
Park’s required Environmental Impact Study prior to public introduction and
comment. The Park is seeking the Town Board and Rec. District’s particular input at
this meeting due to the alternatives that would affect Town-owned land. A focus group
developed the following draft alternatives:
Alternative A: No Action or Continue Current Management: The total elk
population would range from 2,200 to 3,100 (based on current estimates).
Alternative B: Minimal Elk Handling / Maximum Habitat Manipulation: the total
elk population range would be 1,600 to 2,100.
Alternative C: Maximum Lethal Reduction: the total elk population range would
be 1,200 to 1,700.
Alternative D: Maximum Fertility Control (multi-year or lifetime): the total elk
population range would be 1,600 to 2,100.
Alternative E: Wolf Reintroduction: the total elk population range would be 800-
2,800.
Alternative F: Moderate Reduction of Elk Using Public Sharpshooters: the total
elk population range would be 1,600 to 2,100.
Town Board Joint Study Session – June 17, 2004 – Page 2
Alternative G: Combination of Habitat Manipulation / Lethal Reduction / Fertility
Control: the total elk population range would be 1,400 to 1,900.
The objectives of each Alternative were prepared and they will also be presented to the
public.
The targeted, natural range of variability of the elk population is 1,200 - 2,100±.
Subject items discussed, and the extent each subject entails, includes the following:
Culling
Herding
Transporting
Any alternative and its potential impact to area outside the Park
CWD
Public Sharpshooters
Fencing
Fertility Control
Park Supt. Baker remarked that a requirement of the EIS is to illustrate a reasonable
range of alternatives and techniques—a comprehensive idea is then presented to the
public to seek comment. The public has received one review and two additional
reviews will take place. The Park is seeking input on any alternative that cannot be
supported by the Town and Recreation District.
Rick Spowart/District Wildlife Mgr. Commented on how hunting seasons are
established, number of licenses granted/year, declining hunting sites outside Town
Limits, CWD percentages (3% east side and 2% west side of Park), culling (bait
area/corral trap, euthanasia facility,
Commenting on fencing, Mayor Baudek stated that although other areas could be
considered, the golf course could not be included.
With assurance from Park Supt. Baker that:
1. The Alternatives are preliminary in nature, they are binding only on the Park;
2. Consensus to proceed does not in any manner include an endorsement of any
participating agency;
3. That any alternative must include analysis.
Consensus was reached by the Town Board and representatives of the EVRPD that the
seven Alternatives listed above be included in the Draft Elk and Vegetation
Management Plan/EIS.
Concluding all discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Vickie O’Connor, CMC, Town Clerk