Urgent - TONIGHT's Tues June 16 vote City Council is set to unleash the Bulldozers on Boulder's State Natural Area to build a massive dam to protect the CU South Mega Campus!
Can you help save critical wildlife wetlands and federally protected species including the rare Preble's Jumping Mouse - immediately south of Boulder - by sending the quick email below to City Council?
With your help we can win creation of the Meadowlark Open Space at City Council this evening!
In addition to sending the email below - could you also speak to City Council via Zoom at the meeting tonight to ask Council to protect the State Natural Area?
See speaking details after the copy and paste email you can send to council below.
=== Thank so much for adding your name to the bottom and sending the email below to City Council and CU right away before the 6pm meeting tonight. Can you take 2 minutes now? ===
Send to: council@bouldercolorado.gov, OSBT-Web@bouldercolorado.gov, WRAB@bouldercolorado.gov, CUBoardofRegents@cu.edu, frances.draper@colorado.edu, derek.silva@colorado.edu, meadowlarkopenspace@gmail.com
------------------------------------------
Boulder City Council:
I request that you honor the federal and state protections of one of Colorado's most sacred wetlands - the South Boulder Creek State Natural Area.
CU and the City of Boulder are on the brink of violating:
- their sustainability policies
- the federal Endangered Species Act
- the Clean Water Act
- and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan
The 45 page legal document at the link below shows the depth of the proposed infractions that City Council is about to commit.
https://www.meadowlarkopenspace.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200612-FINAL-CC-6-16-Comment-Full-Packet.pdf
Building a $66 million dollar almost 1 mile long - 100 year flood dam starting in a state natural area is also a reckless waste of taxpayer money. A 100 year dam could be swept away in a wall of water a few years after it is built - along with the lives in the downstream community below.
Council member - as a decision maker and guardian of Boulder, if you choose weak 100 year flood protection tonight - how will you feel every time a bad storm hits Boulder?
Michigan and Houston have been hit by 500 year floods FOUR times in the last 5 years.
When lightning roars over the Flat Irons, will you sleep well?
When you hear a news story on climate change and worsening storms, will you feel you have done your best? Will you be proud of tonight's choice? Will children look up to you with pride?
5 years from now, who will you see when you look in the mirror?
City Council - I request that you delay tonight's vote or immediately implement the CU North land swap and create the OSMP Meadowlark Open Space. Only Open Space wetlands and low earthen berms can provide 500 year flood protection for the community and protect the State Natural Area.
Yes - you can be proud of your vote for 5 times the safety at 1/3 the cost.
The $40 million dollar savings from creating the OSMP Meadowlark Open Space and CU North Land Swap can protect 3 additional Boulder communities from flooding. This is the right path.
Please - watch this 9 News Video. Observe the start of a national media campaign to defend one of Colorado's most important State Natural areas against the University of Colorado.
https://www.9news.com/article/tech/science/environment/cu-south-campus-expansion-boulder-city-council-public-hearing/73-ff7e219c-4fc1-4598-9466-f80c132ed1e1
City Council - to honor your duty you MUST protect the lives of Boulder community members with powerful 500 year flood protection at CU South.
City staff have told many lies in this fake public process - especially that there is NO other choice.
City staff have firmly ignored public comments and alternatives from the both the community and the Open Space Board of Trustees. City Staff have ignored in writing OBST requests for cost/benefit studies of alternatives.
In reality, City Staff are not blessed with a magic charm that will shoo away 500 year storms.
However - there is a simple and practical alternative that you as a City Council Member can say YES to.
Please have courage to say NO to the powerful and the life threatening political influence of CU Boulder.
Please say Yes to a simple practical solution.
As our leaders, the well being of the community and the fate of the State Natural Area are in your care.
In closing please:
1) Use Eminent Domain to condemn the CU South mega campus. Public safety is at stake.
2) Make the CU North land swap happen at NO COST to the taxpayer other than traded land.
Developers must pay their own way.
Create a win for the University of Colorado by providing dry land for the new campus.
Help CU avoid a public relations nightmare.
3) Create the City of Boulder - OSMP Meadowlark Open Space to provide 500 year flood protection using wetlands and low earthen berms.
This will ensure that the State Natural Area is forever protected.
Use the massive $40 million cost savings to protect three additional Boulder communities from flooding.
Thank you deeply Council for voting tonight with heart, courage, and logic.
(*****insert your name here)
============================
To speak tonight at final public CU South public hearing and urge Boulder City Council to save the State Natural area:
1) Boulder City Council, Tues June 16th 6pm (tonight)
Easy web registration form - sign up to speak BEFORE 5pm today.
Sign up to speak right now please: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/109075931046
After you sign up the Zoom link will be emailed to you.
Additional Meeting details: https://bouldercolorado.gov/city-council/participate-in-city-council-meetings
2) The public zoom hearing is audio only. You can Email Council now and then read any part of the sent email above to Boulder City Council. Or say what you feel.
Your voice will have a powerful impact and we will make history together.
3) Don't worry about being perfect! Just take action. Speaking at the public hearing will create a win for the community and the Meadowlark Open Space. Thank you so much!
Public Hearing Tonight!
Tues June 16, 6pm to 9:30 pm.
You can leave the hearing playing in the background and speak for two minutes when your name is called.
Sign up to speak to Council tonight : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/109075931046
Thank you so much for making a difference!
Ken
Ken J. Beitel
Chair of Wilderness Conversation
proposed Meadowlark Open Space
web: www.MeadowlarkOpenSpace.org
e. meadowlarkopenspace@gmail.com
m. 720 436 2465
Thank you for helping to create the Boulder's new Meadowlark Open Space!