FINAL Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat Management Plan Parks and Open Space Adopted for Board of County Commissioners August 31, 2010 Boulder County Parks and Open Space Mission Statement To conserve natural, cultural and agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values. Boulder County Parks and Open Space Vision Statement Mountain vistas, golden plains, scenic trails, diverse habitats, rich heritage…a landscape that ensures an exceptional quality of life for all. Goals of Parks and Open Space 1. To preserve rural land. 2. To preserve and restore natural resources for the benefit of the environment and the public. 3. To provide public outreach and volunteer opportunities to increase awareness and appreciation of Boulder County’s open space. 4. To protect, restore, and interpret cultural resources for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. 5. To provide quality recreational experiences while protecting open space resources. 6. To promote and provide for sustainable agriculture in Boulder County for the natural, cultural, and economic values it provides. 7. To develop human resources potential, employ sustainable and sound business practices, and pursue technological advancements. This page left intentionally blank. CONTENTS Section Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Planning Issues........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Management Direction............................................................................................................................................. 2 CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Purpose of the Plan..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Plan Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Acknowledgement ....................................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Open Space Overview............................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Planning Process......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Relationship to Other Plans, Programs, and Planning Efforts...................................................6 1.7 Planning Vision and Goals....................................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Planning Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints............................................................................ 9 1.9 Implementation, Monitoring, and Modification of the Management Plan ............................13 CHAPTER 2 – AREA PROFILE ................................................................................................ 1 2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Land Use .........................................................................................................................................................1 2.3 Physical Setting ............................................................................................................................................ 3 2.4 Natural Resources.....................................................................................................................................12 2.5 Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................20 2.6 Cultural Resources....................................................................................................................................20 2.7 Recreation and Visitor Use ....................................................................................................................21 2.8 Park Operations and Management.....................................................................................................24 CHAPTER 3 – MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ............................................................................ 1 3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 3.2 Development of Management Direction ............................................................................................. 1 3.3 Management Direction............................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Management Priorities.............................................................................................................................21 CHAPTER 4 – PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND COORDINATION.............................................. 1 4.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 4.2 Public Involvement Process .................................................................................................................... 1 August 31, 2010 Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat Management Plan Table of Contents-i FINAL 4.3 Distribution and Availability of the Draft Management Plan........................................................ 3 4.4 Distribution and Availability of the Approved Management Plan.............................................. 3 4.5 Comments Received on the Draft Management Plan................................................................... 3 4.6 POS Planning team..................................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 5 – REFERENCES .................................................................................................. 1 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page FIGURE 1.1 REGIONAL CONTEXT MAP ............................................................................................. 3 FIGURE 1.1 REGIONAL CONTEXT MAP ............................................................................................. 3 FIGURE 1.2 SITE VICINITY MAP ........................................................................................................... 4 FIGURE 2.1 TOTAL ANNUAL PRECIPITATION (INCHES) FOR BOULDER, CO, BETWEEN 1975 AND 2009 WITH AVERAGES FOR THE PERIODS 1975-2009 AND 1893-2009 ........ 3 FIGURE 2.2 HYDROLOGY MAP ............................................................................................................ 5 FIGURE 2.3 SOILS MAP .......................................................................................................................... 7 FIGURE 2.4 CONCEPTUAL WATER MANAGEMENT ..................................................................... 11 FIGURE 2.5 TYPICAL POND CROSS-SECTION .............................................................................. 13 FIGURE 2.6 VEGETATION ALLIANCES............................................................................................. 15 FIGURE 2.7 FACILITIES MAP............................................................................................................... 22 FIGURE 3.1 RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS............................................................. 23 LIST OF TABLES Table Page TABLE 1.1 ISSUES CONSIDERED BUT NOT FURTHER ANALYZED IN MANAGEMENT PLAN.......................................................................................................................................................... 10 TABLE 2.1 PLANNING AREA LAND STATUS ..................................................................................... 1 TABLE 2.2 PONDS AND WETLANDS AT WALDEN PONDS WILDLIFE HABITAT...................... 8 TABLE 2.3 STAFF GAUGE READINGS AT WALDEN PONDS ........................................................ 9 TABLE 2.4 VEGETATION ALLIANCES AT WALDEN PONDS WILDLIFE HABITAT - SUMMER 2009. .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 TABLE 2.5 AQUATIC HABITAT TYPES AT WALDEN PONDS....................................................... 16 TABLE 3.1 WATER MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES AT WALDEN PONDS ............................... 2 TABLE 3.2. MANAGEMENT DIRECTION FOR WALDEN PONDS WILDLIFE HABITAT INCLUDING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES................................................................ 10 TABLE 4.1. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC PROCESS ACTIVITIES ........................................................... 2 August 31, 2010 Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat Management Plan Table of Contents-ii FINAL TABLE 4.2. NUMBER OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS PER AFFILIATION ...................................... 4 TABLE 4.3. NUMBER OF