Critical Wetlands: Stop the Disposal of Boulder Open Space at CU South

In Colorado’s biggest environmental and taxpayer controversy, the University of Colorado and City of Boulder are proposing a CU South Mega Campus built in a flood plain.

This week, the University of Colorado and the City of Boulder want to strip Boulder Open Space designation from Federally Protected wetlands to make way for the CU South Mega Campus.

Flood protection of the CU South Mega Campus requires a massive dam built in critical wetlands that are home to federally endangered plant and animal species.

YOU CAN HELP! Send an email to the Open Space Board and/or speak at the public hearing.

1) Sign up to speak at the Thurs zoom public hearing by noon today (Feb 20th).
By noon on the Feb 20th (today!), SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT THE FEBRUARY 22, 6:00pm PUBLIC HEARING at https://bouldercolorado.formstack.com/forms/sign_up_for_public_hearing.

2) Email the decision makers - Open Space Board of Trustees. You can use your own words or copy the text below. Send your email asap (best) or by Thurs Feb 22, 5pm email to:

OSBT@bouldercolorado.gov

Cc: SouthBoulderSongbirdOpenSpace@gmail.com

=== copy and paste + add your own words ===

Hon. Open Space Board of Trustees,

Thank you for all of your hard work in creating and protecting Boulder Open Space.

Though it will be a hard decision because of incredible pressure from City Council and CU Boulder, I ask that you reject the City of Boulder request to dispose of and remove Open Space protection from critical wetlands habitat in the South Boulder Creek floodplain.

A key question: is this dam required for public safety? The answer is no. To protect the CU South Campus and maximize buildable land, Boulder City Council rejected wetlands based 500 year flood protection in favor of the weak 100 year flood protection that allows CU to build in an ecologically sensitive flood plain.

The CU South proposal actually threatens public safety by reducing flood protection for downstream communities to inadequate 100 year levels.

By rejecting the City request to dispose of Open Space you open the door to cost effective 500 year flood protection of downstream communities, save renters and homeowners likely $300 to $500 per year being added to their water or tax bill and most importantly you will protect the federally endangered plant and animal species that make their home in the area.

Lastly, despite numerous community requests, the City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder have refused to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed project area.

As guardians of Boulder Open Space, it would be both logical and ethically fair for you to either A) reject the proposal to dispose of Boulder Open Space outright; or B) require an EIA prior to making this critically important decision.

Your decision will impact both the environment and the safety of downstream communities for hundreds of years to come. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

With deep respect,

(your name here)

=== Background Information ==

CU South Increases Flood Danger

The City of Boulder is trying to falsely “sell” the deal by saying it provides flood protection for Boulder downstream communities.

In reality, flood protection for the CU South Mega Campus devastates flood safety for Boulder communities.

In order to also maximize buildable land for the Mega Campus, City Council replaced 500 year event flood protection with weak 100 year flood protection putting downstream Boulder communities and lives at risk.

Replacing the CU South Mega Campus with wetlands based flood protection decreases the cost of the project by an estimated 70% and increases safety by 500%, allowing 500 year flood protection vs 100 year.

Harms the Environment

Flood Protection for CU South Destroys Wetlands Habitat Protected by Federal Endangered Species Act

The wetlands that surround the proposed Mega Campus are home to more than 50 rare songbird species and endangered plant and animal species including a rare orchid and the Preble's Jumping Mouse.

Theft of Taxpayer Dollars

To pay for CU South flood protection, water bills will likely increase by $300 to $500 per year for Boulder renters and homeowners.

The City of Boulder has agreed to pay for the massive dam required to protect the proposed CU campus in the floodplain and pass the unknown cost of the dam - likely in the $100 million dollar range - to Boulder homeowners and renters via a surcharge on your water bill or other taxes.

Again - replacing the CU South Mega Campus with wetlands based flood protection decreases the cost of the flood protection by an estimated 70% and increases safety by 500%, allowing 500 year flood protection vs weak 100 year flood protection.

Thank you for taking action and helping to protect Boulder Open Space.

To join our email list please send a note to: SouthBoulderSongbirdOpenSpace@gmail.com