Issues And Resolutions

Water resource optimization is a priority. The progressive influx of people and development in this area with a limited water supply brings water to the forefront of concern, especially during droughts. In many situations, water law is either misunderstood or disregarded. Many examples of inappropriate water use exist, and flows to fulfill the legal rights of downstream users have not been maintained. Reservoir development or enlargement and new or additional diversion plans raise additional concerns. Water quality as well as quantity is an issue. Many streams and creeks have dried up completely. Consequently springs have become an increasingly important source of water for livestock and wildlife.

Resolution
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects for spring development and enhancement on private and public lands that will benefit optimal use of range by wildlife and livestock.
• The NLCHPP will seek and develop projects that protect and enhance riparian sites and preserve stream flows.
• In considering potential projects, the NLCHPP will encourage knowledge of and compliance with current water law. The committee will not approve projects that usurp water rights.
• The NLCHPP will not consider funding projects that involve settling disputes between water users.
• Projects funded by the NLCHPP will make appropriate, conservative use of water resources.

Noxious weeds are found on both private and public lands within the NLCHPP. These invasive species compete with desirable plants which results in loss of available forage for wildlife and livestock. Other factors including; drought, poor grazing practices, lack of available water for wildlife and livestock, have further stressed some rangeland and pasture in the area.

Resolution
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that use seeding, interseeding, transplant, fertilization and other techniques to improve range condition and consequently habitat for wildlife and livestock.
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that use mechanical and chemical techniquesas well as grazing plans for controlling noxious weeds as a method of improving range quality.
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that incorporate grazing plans, fencing, water development, fire and other management techniques that will improve the quality of the plant community for wildlife and livestock.
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that improve habitat to maximize dispersal of wildlife as specified in Division of Wildlife DAU plans.
• The NLCHPP Will encourage projects that maintain and enhance wildlife movement corridors and greenbelts in rural subdivisions and other lands. This will be done to insure full utilization of quality habitat in the area, as well as fulfilling goals of Division of Wildlife DAU plans and CWD goals.

Habitat Conservation Plans are a tool used to guide efforts for protection and recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Livermore Area Habitat Conservation Plan (LAHCP) has been drafted by a local group and submitted to the USFWS for review and approval. The Habitat Conservation Plan for Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse (PMJM) will require support and participation of private and public landowners. Adoption and support of this plan will allow landowners that participate in this HCP the benefit of continuing with traditional operations while affording an appropriate level of protection for Preble’s mouse. Larimer County Department of Parks and Open Lands has also submitted a draft Habitat Conservation Plan for Eagle’s Nest Open Space Area to the USFWS for consideration. Protection and enhancement of riparian habitat in the NLCHPP is critical for maintaining the currently healthy mouse population in this area.

Resolution:
• The NLCHPP will support and assist in programs and management efforts which protect and enhance habitat for Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse.
• The NLCHPP will not support projects that damage riparian habitat essential for PMJM unless a mitigation plan for the loss has been approved by the USFWS.
• The NLCHPP may support activities that may proactively avoid species listing as threatened/endangered.

The NLCHPP is located in the center of the established zone designated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) for chronic wasting disease managment. In fact the disease was first identified in wild ungulates in Game Management Unit 9. Over the years the Division of Wildlife has implemented a variety of strategies in DAU 4 in an attempt to better understand and manage CWD. Occurrence of CWD in our area, and CDOW efforts to contain the disease, have resulted in multiple concerns and conflicts among local landowners and the public. Concepts behind CWD management practices are not well understood by the public. In an attempt to reduce disease prevalence, efforts by the CDOW to reduce the deer population in DAU 4 have met with mixed success. Some landowners have been hesitant in allowing access to the CDOW for culling efforts. In some cases landowners have been reluctant in allowing increased access by hunters necessary for targeted harvest on their lands. Firearms restrictions and safety issues concerning use of weapons in rural subdivisions have made it difficult to achieve population reduction in some of these areas. The CDOW is using alternative methods of sampling, including trapping and tranquilization where necessary and appropriate. However, these methods are costly and time consuming, which precludes use on a broad scale for disease management. As a prion based disease, CWD has generated a great deal of speculation about potential for transmission to livestock and humans. These fears, along with increased complexity of hunting regulations within the CWD established area at some point may decrease the number of hunters willing to hunt deer and elk in Northern Larimer County. Other than deer and elk, Currently, there is no indication that CWD can infect other wildlife, livestock or humans.

Resolution:
• The NLCHPP supports and will assist as possible CDOW management efforts to control and reduce prevalence of CWD in the established area and to reduce spread of the disease.
• The NLCHPP supports projects that provide enhanced access for hunting to meet DAU plans and CWD goals. Projects include but are not limited to: use of hunt coordinators to facilitate resolution of access problems for big game hunters on private lands and providing enhanced access to lands via leases or other methods.
• The NLCHPP encourages habitat enhancement projects including range improvements, vegetation restoration, and spring development that will maximize distribution of big game herds in a manner consistent with DAU plans and CWD goals.
• The NLCHPP will support projects that increase public understanding of CWD issues and CDOW management goals through education and outreach efforts. These efforts should focus on up to date CWD management strategies and research findings on disease transmission among deer and elk, changes in prevalence rates and potential for transmission to other species.

Concern has been expressed that reductions in deer and/or elk populations, resulting from increased harvest or spread of CWD, may result in increased depredation on livestock. Primary predator populations fluctuate in part as a result of availability of their prey base. In response to a drop in deer or elk numbers, mountain lion, black bear and coyotes may increase depredation on livestock and hobbystock or increasingly come into conflict with humans. Some private landowners in the NLCHPP feel that wildlife, especially elk or deer, may at times concentrate on prime range and directly compete with livestock for limited grass resources.

Resolution:
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that enhance range condition to maximize distribution of deer and elk herds and use by livestock.
• To facilitate the unrestricted movement of wildlife to appropriate habitat, the NLCHPP will encourage projects in rural subdivisions and other lands that preserve and enhance wildlife corridors and greenbelts.
• The NLCHPP will support projects using herding, fencing, hunting and other appropriate techniques in moving big game herds adversely competing with livestock on private lands.
• When landowners document significant increase in depredation on livestock, the NLCHPP may support contracting with a depredation specialist hired to assess the cause of loss and implement appropriate solutions.
• The NLCHPP may support projects that address nuisance wildlife issues through educational efforts including: cooperative neighborhood efforts at eliminating attractants for wildlife, site assessments, and use of wildlife resistant trash containers.

Continued development of private lands will ultimately lead to the diminution of open space, fragmentation of wildlife habitat and redistribution of wildlife. Increasing ex-urban development may threaten the continuance of ranching. The presence of livestock and large land holdings is essential to ensure open space and habitat availability needed by wildlife. Using tools including covenants boards and organizations, homeowner’s associations play an increasingly important role in land holdings governance. Through effective use of these tools key wildlife habitat may be protected and enhanced. For effective wildlife management it is important to remember that efforts to protect key habitat must be considered on the landscape level, and that multiple landowners must work together to achieve shared goals.

Resolution:
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects involving educational efforts, forums and discussions that facilitate understanding and cooperation between local landowners.
• The NLCHPP will support projects that enhance conflict resolution between ranching/farming interests and rural subdivision residents.
• The NLCHPP will encourage projects that benefit multiple landowners including but not limited to: riparian protection and enhancement, water resource optimization, small acreage wildlife management, habitat enhancement, and weed management.
• The NLCHPP will work with Homeowner’s Associations on projects that benefit wildlife habitat and wildlife management.