The Community Collaborative Group has spent an enormous amount of time listening to detailed briefings from OSMP regarding the full range of environmental protection issues. These presentations have, in turn, backed up by even more detailed reports and studies. All of this is available from the CCG library website (see right hand link column).
As the CCG considers possible changes to the trail system and trail management policies, it will be drawing on this information. Our goal is to avoid actions that could have significant adverse environmental impacts wherever possible. Where adverse impacts are unavoidable we have been looking for ways of offsetting those impacts with environmental protection efforts in other areas.
Strong environmental representation on the CCG assures that these issues are being aggressively pursued. Similarly, recreation group representatives are assuring that important questions are being asked about whether the recreational cost of specific restrictions are justified by the environmental benefits. (See right and hand link column for links to CCG members including environmental and recreational representatives.)
More specific proposals will be made available for comment in the relatively near future. At this point we are soliciting general comments on the appropriate balance between environmental preservation and other objectives.
See right-hand link column for links to comment pages. >>
On the issue of seasonal closures of open space lands for nesting grassland birds, there is very little scientific evidence, even in the Knight and Miller paper so often quoted, that the presence of humans on trails causes a reduction in the population of grassland birds. The authors agree that natural predators on the trails may explain results in the paper. At the same time OSMP is protecting birds by keeping out humans, it allows 300+ cattle to trample the same lands, 24/7. Cow-pie density indicates that cattle trample every square foot during the 3-month closure period, NOT good for nesting birds. Miller states that without doubt cattle reduce bird populations. Meadowlarks and sparrows fledge by July 1, so why continue closures until August 1? Please, representatives, fight against "protection" measures that don't make sense (like cattle but no people, and the Aug 1 opening date.)
ReplyDeleteM.J. Post, South Neighborhood, 4748 Eldorado Springs Dr.