I think the following is very well written and can be used as a model for other letters of concern:
To Whom It May Concern:
A resident of the Aspen Meadows Subdivision (near Magnolia Road and
County Road 68) for 18 years, I feel obligated to speak out against your
land sale proposal (Land Sales Initiative in Boulder County). First of
all, let me express my disappointment in the limited time that has been
alloted for community feedback, as well as the cumbersome and poorly done
online map provided as a resource for this comment period.
My opposition refers to the Township, Range, and Sections below (any
inaccuracies due to difficulty of interpretation of online map ):
Magnolia Road
Township 1S Range 72W
Section 19 - 40 acres
Section 20 - 193 acres Map shows 233)
Section 21 - 160 acres
Section 40 - 40 acres (Map shows 200 acres)
Total Acreage: 473 in the list, 633 on the map
All the areas listed above provide necessary wildlife habitat and offer
natural movement corridors for ungulates (specifically elk), bear, mountain lion,
bobcat, fox and coyote. Increased disturbance as a result of
development, will undoubtedly increase the stress on the species living in these
urban/wildlife interface lands. Over the past several years, developed land has
resulted in the rapid spread of non-native species of plants, high levels of erosion,
diminished feeding,mating, and birthing grounds, as well as decreased habitat for
a varietyof species from the mountain meadow vole to our state flower,
the Columbine, to the Golden Eagle nesting in the rock above.
This obviously politically motivated proposal, whether or not it is guised in
something as seemingly well intentioned like funding for rural schools,
is a disgrace. Once these lands are sold, it is rather evident that new
ones will be proposed in the name of some other manipulative cause. The
justification for selling them as "not being able to be sufficiently
managed" speaks volumes as to priorities. Instead, might it be a better
choice to consider something much greater than ourselves, the need for
space for all the non-human creatures that exist here and to offer ways
to conserve that space. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant
these lands might appear on a map, they all serve an important and necessary
function for wildlife and native plant species.
When decisions are made that continue to erode away
even the smallest bits and pieces of land that have been set aside such
as our nation's Roosevelt National Forest, along with wildlife, we as a society
suffer. If anything, as a People, we should be doing everything we can
to protect and preserve by purchasing additional lands not selling them off.
If for no other reason than to preserve our current Roosevelt National
Forest for the future generations, it is time to act in a thoughtful,
visionary way that holds the faith of the public that our National
Forests will remain the last haven for that herd of elk that passes
through on its journey to summer grounds, seven generations from now.
As we whittle away at nature, so too do we whittle away at ourselves.
I am trusting you to do the right thing and not sell off any portion of
these lands listed above, as well as all others being considered.
Sincerely,
Sharon Ticehurst
72 Meadowland Ct., Nederland, CO
(303) 449-1789
