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Open Space Commission Work Plan
Mission Statement
The San Miguel County Open Space Commission seeks to protect, conserve and enhance lands important for open space, recreation, natural habitat, agriculture and scenic beauty throughout San Miguel County for this and future generations.
2023 Work Plan
San Miguel Land Heritage Program Goals
The Open Space Commission (OSC) will continue to facilitate the preservation of important lands in San Miguel County (SMC) by contributing funds for transaction costs associated with viable conservation easements being closed by certified land trusts.
Accomplished 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
9000+ acre LCE closed. Largest in County history. | Overview the properties in the County’s Land Heritage Program (LHP); review/consider potential additional LCE’s and make recommendations to the BOCC when appropriate. | $100K (Potential future LCEs) |
Due diligence for LCE’s, appraisals, environmental assessments, etc. | $1K due diligence | |
Routine advertising | $500 Routine advertising |
Ongoing
Participate in and review the LHP on an as-needed basis.
Ecosystem Health & Conservation Goals
Assist in the development and implementation of PES programs and other projects that enhance land, watershed, soils and forest health, and/or provide protection or enhancement of habitat for species of concern to the County.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
Continued to plant pollinator plants at County park gardens and pollinator garden; hired a seasonal gardener for DVP pollinator garden. | Planning for Pollinator Garden strips in Mill Creek Park - determine irrigation source. | $20K for MCP pollinator plantings |
Included pollinator strips in Mill Creek Park conceptual plans. | Develop Pollinator Gardens and programming including seasonal hire, plant germination greenhouse, seed distribution, outreach/ education. | DVP pollinator garden plantings and seasonal labor in Parks budget ($2K) |
$38,955 awarded to 5 ranches for the PES Land Use Protection program. | Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES): Identify County Open Space PES project priorities annually. o Continue to award landowners PES funds for Land Use Protections; implement year 3 of CWCB grant. SMC POS to continue to provide grant-matching funds. o Support SMC food waste and composting grant projects. | $100K PES |
Began discussions on OAG Use Management Plan; signage installed on perimeter of property. | Develop a Use Management Plan for the OAG parcel working collaboratively w/ CPW. Define active and passive open space uses per County Land Use Code. | |
Fund San Miguel Watershed Coalition request for Forest Health Monitoring and consider other SMWC initiatives. | $8,500 (Community Support Funding budget) | |
County rep. to attend Ecosystem Health and Conservation conferences (Quivira, COSA, Xerces?). | $2K conferences | |
POS staff ordered and installed Douglas Fir pheromone packets in conjunction with USFS and TOT. | Collaborate with the TOT OSC, USFS to purchase and apply Douglas Fir pheromone packets. | $3K Pheremone packets |
Support Fen Studies (Telluride Institute) and receive updates from the NR Director/TI. | $4K (Community Support Funding budget) | |
Ongoing
- Receive PES updates from CWCB grant consultant.
- Receive updates on Regenerative Recovery/Regenerative Ag Program where SMC is a participant.
- Receive updates from NR Director on Ag Lands Carbon Sequestration GreenHouse Gas Study.
- Receive update from conference attendees.
- Receive updates from VC&M NWM Manager/CWAB on SMC noxious weeds and control and GuSG noxious weed treatment areas.
- Monitor Soil Health Program and PES soils projects.
- Consider LCE properties for PES projects (LHP).
- Receive Sibold/SMWC/NR Forest Health updates.
- O.A. Greager parcel – Receive updates from the NR Director on the monitoring and maintenance of the Zeedyk structures (11).
Annual Work Plan Goals
The OSC will develop an annual work plan and companion budget requests in time for presentation to the BOCC to inform the development of the following year’s budget during the County’s budget process. The OSC and POS Director will make annual presentations to the BOCC to provide updates to progress being made on each year’s Work Plan.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 |
---|---|
Developed a 2022 Work Plan with action items related to each program and goal. | Obtain and compile input from OSC/POS/BOCC and refine the Work Plan to coincide with the County’s budget process. Prepare budget requests with POS Director for following year. |
Determined priorities, timelines and related budget needs for action items. | Present Work Plan to BOCC to inform the development of the following year’s budget. The POS Director and OSC Chair will provide updates of progress being made on each year’s OSC Work Plan to the BOCC. |
The 2022 Work Plan was posted on the County website. | Post the OSC Work Plan, an active working document, on the County website. |
Education/Outreach Goals
The OSC will help keep the public aware and informed and will facilitate public outreach and education on relevant topics, including but not limited to updates on activities and progress of the OSC on its annual Work Plan, using a variety of media and strategies such as social media platforms, press releases, radio interviews, guest columns, forums, etc.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
News articles published: OSC year-end wrap up, BVT bridge, Douglas Fir pheromone packets, DVCT, CCALT closing, etc. | Produce and publish POS Annual Report (POS Director prepares this document). | |
Prioritize topics to raise community awareness of items relevant to OSC Work Plan and goals. | ||
Support community education of GuSG (with NR), PES projects, Noxious Weed Management, trail etiquette, etc. | ||
Provide updates of success of achieving action items on goals/programs through press/newspaper columns, radio releases, meetings, etc. | ||
Post County OSC accomplishments and the Annual OSC Work Plan on the County website. | ||
Prepare plan for installation of Doug Fir pheromone packets in the community for Earth Day activity and outreach pilot project. | $3K pheromone packets (also listed in EHC category) | |
OAG/GuSG day uses/educational field trips. | $2K for OA Greager items (picnic tables, etc.) | |
Coordinate Earth Day activities with local schoolchildren (pheromone packets, trail/park work, pollinator seed collection/distribution). |
Mining, Oil & Gas, and Development Goals
The OSC will monitor oil and gas leasing, mining and development proposals (or that may affect SMC Open Space parcels) and activity within SMC.
This is a crossover item with the County’s department of Natural Resources & Special Projects (NR/SP).
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 |
---|---|
NR Director follows the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), provided comments, and attended their meetings. Updates and reports were provided to the OSC. | Review reports from POS Director/County liaison and staff on such development proposals relevant to the OSC. |
Review status map showing current mining activity, active leases, pending leases. | |
Square GuSG, EHC, PES, recreation efforts and goals with mining, oil and gas, development activities. | |
Review water health as it relates to Oil & Gas and to Open Space projects, properties and goals. |
Ongoing
- Receive COGCC and other oil and gas leasing, mining, development and rulemaking reports and updates from NR Director.
- Work collaboratively with the Director of NR.
Gunnison Sage Grouse Goals
The OSC will continue to support the protection, preservation and enhancement of GuSG habitat and to monitor efforts of agencies and other stakeholders working on this effort. Beginning mid-2021, the County’s GuSG efforts are managed by the Department of Natural Resources. However, funding is still provided through the OSC’s annual budget.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
GuSG Site Assessment Field Visits with CPW and NFWF – Miramonte area and Dry Creek Basin (ongoing by POS/NR). | Continue to support the GuSG Working Group and fund GuSG Coordinator Salary. Total serves as matching grant funds. | $14,500 used as matching funds for the Restore Grant (Community Support Funding). |
County POS worked with Montezuma Land Conservancy – Obtained a GOCO/NFWF Restore Grant ($277K) to enhance GuSG habitat in both San Miguel and Dolores Counties (5/21). | Support/receive updates from NR on Zeedyk structure repair, maintenance and monitoring. | |
Restore Grant Initiatives (2 years) – Tamarisk Removal, Dry Creek, Zeedyk Structures, Miramonte Meadows, Iron Springs, etc. (2022/2023). |
Ongoing
- Consider potential LHP/LCE properties within mapped GuSG areas.
- Acquire GuSG updates from NR Director and CPW.
- Acquire updates from NR on habitat restoration projects, Zeedyk erosion control, partners and stakeholders, and projects to support GuSG and PES overlap.
Planning Department Referral Goals
Work with County Planning staff to review summary referrals of development and planning applications having a nexus to or component that would impact open space, parks, trails, public access or the GuSG. The OSC intends to provide timely recommendations or input on such applications as they pertain to the OSC’s goals or mission.
Action Items 2023 |
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Participate, review, discuss and provide comments on the revision of the County’s East End Master Plan. |
Review the SMC High Country Area (HCA) Zoning District; assess the value system. |
Ongoing
- Receive updates on SMC noxious weed control services and Citizens Weed Advisory Board (CWAB).
- POS Director/staff will inform and schedule site visits with OSC of issues affecting SMC Parks & Open Space.
- POS Director/staff will inform or schedule timely OSC review for submittal of recommendations to Planning Department.
- Consider the acquisition of potential open space parcels within SMC.
Enhancing Recreational Opportunities & Trails Goals
Partner with existing groups and entities to assist in opportunities for trail connectors, and retaining, enhancing and protecting access to public lands.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
County POS awarded a bid to a consultant and began a feasibility study of the Down Valley Connector Trail project. | Continue to assess County trail/park signage needs and the potential for design guidelines to be established. | $2K - Trail education signage |
SMC staff responded to several instances of vandalism of No E-bike signage and illegal use of E-bikes on County trails. | Review draft DVCT feasibility Study with POS Director, consultant and the community. | $75K POS matching CDOT MMOF grant funds |
Perimeter Trail potential trail alignment completed in 2022. OSC site walks with Idarado, USFS, TOT and TMtC. | Review Foley survey of proposed Perimeter Trail with project partners; determine feasibility of project and potential easements; preliminary budget work. | Perimeter Trail: $45K (seek grant) |
Hiked potential alignment of Ilium Flume Trail with USFS and the TMtC. | Ilium Flume Trail – Support Historical Commission, USFS, and other partners with this potential USFS trail. | |
County POS awarded RFP and hired consultants to develop a conceptual park plan for Mill Creek Park. | Mill Creek Park – Determine water source for irrigation; begin to determine funding sources based on final park plans. | MCP site work planning and development: $67K (seek grant for actual construction) |
POS staff hired a firm to conduct core samples on the rock for the potential future steel stairs for the Upper BVT. | NR Director to provide updates on monitoring EPA tailings removal project with concern for ecosystem health and revegetation on County land in Lawson Hill. | |
Lawson Hill underpass trail project - SMC grant funding partner ($33K). | POS staff to issue an RFP to build steel stairs across rock; complete Upper Bridal Veil Trail alignment connector to Bridal Veil Falls to top switchback at Black Bear Road, with deck. | BVT engineering/steel stair project: $20K (under a separate Parks budget line) |
Participated in Regional Trails Map effort with partners, stakeholders. Overall effort led by the County OSC Chair. | Participate in Regional Recreation Collaborative led by NR. | |
Discuss future plans for the recreational uses of OA Greager. |
Ongoing
- Continue to work with partners on regional trails to consider new County trails.
- Continue to review E-bike usage on County trails and pursue inclusiveness where appropriate.
Scenic Resource Protection Goals
The OSC will work with County staff and other partners such as land trusts, landowners and public agencies to identify critical views for potential protection through easements. The OSC will also coordinate with CDOT on their projects for impact to the Scenic Byways traversing our County - San Juan Skyway and Unaweep/Tabeguache Byway.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 | Budget 2023 |
---|---|---|
Supported effort for the Reimagine Colorado Tourism Board grant with Visit Durango for redevelopment of SJS Management Plan and Board. | Identify critical viewpoints and move towards protection. | |
Created inventory of interpretive signage along County portion of San Juan Skyway. | Review the need for LCEs to protect scenic corridors along 2 skyways traversing SMC. | |
OSC Member serves as the OSC liaison on the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway Committee. An HC member serves as well. | Identify nexus with habitat/recreation use. | |
When held, attend the annual SJSSBC conference. OSC rep to report back with updates. | $250 conference | |
Evaluate needs of County SJS signage inventory; implement signage upgrades; get Tribal Nations involved for appropriate verbiage and message. | $5K for interpretive signs on SJS (with $5K in HC budget); work with County R&B. | |
Participate and provide input to Visit Durango regarding the Scenic Byways Corridor Management Plan Update and the SJSSBC board. | ||
Research funding opportunities for Scenic Byway improvements – pull-out areas, signage panels, etc. - with CDOT, USFS, SMC R&B, etc. |
Ongoing
- Be proactive in advocating for better management practices with CDOT.
- Provide input to the Scenic Byways Corridor Management Plan Update and SJSSBC board.
- Recommend necessary upgrades to ensure maintenance and safety on our scenic byways.
Collaboration with Town of Telluride Open Space Commission Goals
The SMC OSC will have 1 member who has dual membership on both the Town and County OSCs in order to facilitate a working relationship between the two groups.
Accomplishments 2022 | Action Items 2023 |
---|---|
TOT OSC Crossover reports distributed as part of the SMC OSC meetings. | Crossover representative to determine most important aspects of TOT and SMC OSC meetings to briefly summarize in a Crossover Report to members. Crossover rep. to communicate between both OSC and suggest/share cooperative /complementary projects. |
POS staff ordered and installed Douglas Fir pheromone packets in conjunction with USFS and TOT. |
Acronyms used in this report
- BOCC – Board of County Commissioners
- BVCT – Bridal Veil Creek Trail
- CDOT – CO Dept. of Transportation
- COGCC – CO Oil Gas Conservation Committee
- CPW – Colorado Parks & Wildlife
- CWCB – CO Water Conservation Board
- DVCT – Down Valley Connector Trail
- DVP – Down Valley Park
- EHC – Ecosystem Health & Conservation
- GOCO – Great Outdoors Colorado
- GuSG – Gunnison Sage Grouse
- HCA – High Country Area Zoning District
- IGA – Intergovernmental Agreement
- LCE – Land Conservation Easement
- LHP – Land Heritage Program
- MCP - Mill Creek Park
- MLC – Montezuma Land Conservancy
- MMOF – Multi-Model Options Fund
- NFWF –National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
- NR – Natural Resources
- OS – Open Space
- OSC – Open Space Commission
- PES – Payment for Ecosystem Services
- POS – Parks & Open Space dept.
- R&B – Road & Bridge dept.
- RFQ – Request for Qualifications
- SJS – San Juan Skyway
- SJSSBC – San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway Committee
- SMART – San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation
- SMC – San Miguel County
- SMVC – San Miguel Valley Corp.
- TI – Telluride Institute
- TMtC – Telluride Mountain Cub
- ToT – Town of Telluride
- UBVT – Upper Bridal Veil Trail
- USFS – United States Forest Service
- VC&M – Vegetation Control & Mgmt.
- WETA – West End Trails Alliance