HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session Budget Meeting 01-31-2005 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 31, 2005
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 31st day of January, 2005.
Town Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Doylen, Jeffrey-Clark, Levine, Habecker,
Newsom, and Pinkham
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Doylen, Jeffrey-Clark, Levine, Habecker
and Pinkham
Also Attending: Town Attorney White and Town Administrator Repola
Absent: Trustee Newsom and Clerk O’Connor
Presenters: Vaughn Baker, Stan Austin and Larry Campbell
National Parks Service
Congressional: Doug Young District Policy Director for Congressman Mark Udall
Anne Brewster from Senator Allard’s office
A joint meeting was called with representatives from the RMNP and Town Board to
discuss RMNP Wilderness Status. Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 8:30
a.m.
Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Status
History of American Wilderness dating back to 1832-1915 when an Act of
Congress established Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
What is Wilderness? “…lands designated for preservation and protection in their
natural condition…an area where the earth and its community of life are
untrammeled by man…an area of undeveloped Federal Land retaining its primeval
character and influence, without permanent improvement or human
habitation…generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of
nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable…has outstanding
opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfirmed type of recreation…shall
be devoted to the public purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational,
conservation and historic use.”
Discussion on The Wilderness Act does not modify the park’s enabling legislation
unchanged since 1915.
RMNP wilderness boundaries were not well defined ranging from 235,000 acres to
249,500 from 1974-1999.
1980s Federal Reserved Water Rights for the entire park have been adjudicated in
state water court.
1990s RMNP has invested significant funds to improve visitor’s facilities to
reassure “the wilderness designation is not the first step toward closing the park.”
The Wilderness designation requires an Act of Congress and the 1999 wilderness
proposal is a starting point for discussions. Maps were included in the
presentation.
Steps to identify issues and concerns of gateway communities and other
stakeholders are the next step.
Doug Young from Congressman Mark Udall office and Ann Brewster from Senator
Allard office, in Loveland asked for Estes Park Town Board support.
Vaughn Baker from RMNP advised they would be having the same session in
Grand Lake as both gateway communities are involved in the decision of the
wilderness designation.
Town Board Study Session - January 31, 2005 – Page 2
Randy Repola to coordinate follow-up town meetings to invite congressional
delegations, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy, county staff and Grand Lake
to attend. The Mayor suggested a copy of the Wilderness map from today’s
presentation also be provided at follow-up meetings.
Elk Management Plan-Update
Current status of the RMNP elk & vegetation management plan:
Public scoping on draft alternatives conducted in September 2004.
Refining/adding detail to alternatives.
1. No action.
2. Maximum lethal reduction of elk (agency culling).
3. Maximum fertility control.
4. Wolf reintroduction inside the Park.
5. Moderate reduction using agency culling or public marksmen.
6. Combination of lethal reductions and fertility control.
Next steps to review detailed alternatives with the Planning Team.
Concluding all discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 11 a.m.
Tracy Feagans, Recording Secretary