Pitkin County Open Space and Trails is seeking public input on a draft policy that will guide its approach to habitat preservation and human uses such as recreational trails and agriculture.
Pitkin County residents have consistently placed a high value on both recreational opportunities and habitat protection, and this subject continues to attract a lot of interest and concern, noted Dale Will, Open Space and Trails director. The draft policy is the department’s first effort to describe in general terms its ongoing effort to utilize the best available habitat data to determine where and when human activities are appropriate on open space lands.
The policy also reflects input from Dr. Richard Knight, who has met with the Open Space and Trails Board, and urged that the key to protecting biodiversity is to understand habitat sensitivities on a site-specific basis.
“We seek to do this with all our open space lands. To this end, we invite your comments and suggestions on the draft policy,” Will said.
A copy of the draft policy, as well as an online comment form, are available at www.pitkinostprojects.com – click on the link to the draft policy on habitat preservation and human use. Comments will be accepted through May 27.
Contact: Dale Will
Director, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
dale.will@pitkincounty.com or 970-920-5203