PRESS RELEASE - May 26, 1997
On May 17th members of Preserve Unique Magnolia Association (PUMA) applied rakes, shovels, and elbow grease to the area known as County Road 68J that joins Magnolia to Flagstaff. In recent years heavy use, all-night partying, off-road vehicles, and the creation of numerous campsites have contributed to the decline of this important wildlife corridor. PUMA has been especially concerned about the increased use of firearms along this popular hiking/biking zone, the increased fire danger from careless campers, and the dumping of trash.
After several months of negotiations with the County Commissioners, Forest Service, and Boulder Transportation Supervisor , almost 30 PUMA members and area residents from Magnolia Road, Twin Sisters, and Flagstaff gathered on Saturday morning. Under clear spring skies they posted signs, closed campsites and illegal roads, and fenced places where ATVs and motorcyclists had been bypassing Forest Service gates installed to protect sensitive wildlife habitat.
PUMA is now monitoring the area and expects to review later this year with the County Commissioners the success of this project to determine if additional steps will be required to fully protect this County Wildlife Migration Corridor and County-designated Natural Landmark.
PUMA wishes to thank all those who participated in the work day, and special thanks to the Forest Service for their careful study of the area and dedication to preservation.
For additional information write to: Scott Reuman, PUMA
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One of the Magnolia area's most beloved residents, the famous lab-mix named Happy Jack, also known affectionately as the "Mayor of Magnolia", came close to visiting doggie heaven last week. Jack is the same dog who guided his owner Terry Greenberg through the smoke as her house burned down this winter. Jack managed to find himself down at the bottom of a steep pit in two feet of water and no way to get out. Fortunately local resident and PUMA member Brian Whitney was taking his morning jog and heard what sounded like a dog in trouble. Brian took in the situation, quickly hailed a passing motorist for assistance, and together, at considerable danger to themselves, they pulled Jack out of the pit. Jack seems to have recovered quickly. Within a few hours the "Mayor of Magnolia" was making his appointed rounds in search of dog biscuits for services rendered!
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Magnolia Environmental Preservation Plan
In the Fall of 1996, all Magnolia residents and homeowners were sent a survey to assess their concerns and priorities for the Magnolia area. Community response indicated a desire for a unified vision of Magnolia and a comprehensive plan for its preservation and management. PUMA responded by moving ahead with the Magnolia Environmental Preservation Plan (MEPP), a project to conduct a resource inventory and develop a long-term management plan for the Magnolia area. Mike Figgs, a biological consultant, has been hired to oversee the process and to compile and edit the MEPP report.
The MEPP's primary issues and tasks are as follows:
recreation: CR 68J (monitor effectiveness of signs and gates), forest road 359, Winiger Ridge and Winiger Gulch (monitor current use), trails (develop plan to handle development of unofficial trails on public and private lands), Gross Reservoir (continue to provide input to Denver Water Board concerning reservoir relicensing with FERC), County Open Space (provide input to County concerning use of open space lands in the Magnolia area), monitor general public recreation in our area (noise, shooting, trespassing, garbage/dumping, unmonitored fires, and camping outside of designated areas).
land conservation: Identify priority parcels with supporting justification and educate landowners about conservation options. Develop scenic corridor analysis of Magnolia road and other key vistas.
wildfire mitigation: Continue to work with the Forest Service on the Red Zone project.
noise: Continue to document noise concerns in our area, especially DIA.
traffic/safety: Document current use of Magnolia road.
noxious weeds: Weed mapping, literature review and agency consultations to determine appropriate management of individual species, development of weed control plans.
resource specific issues: Collect data and conduct literature review of the following: geology, hydrology, vegetation/ecosystems, wildlife and cultural resources.
PUMA volunteers were busy over the last year conducting breeding bird surveys, surveying vegetation, mapping weeds, doing trail inventories, monitoring the roads and trails of the 68J and Winiger Ridge areas, and collecting historical data. The various reports have been written and Mike is in the process of synthesizing all the results reports and PUMA members' input into the MEPP draft document. A draft of the MEPP Policy Recommendations has been written, giving community members the opportunity to provide comments and revisions to MEPP to ensure that the final document will reflect a consensus of Magnolia residents' opinions.
Our primary expenses for this project are paying Mike Figgs for his work and printing, xeroxing and mailing costs. We thank everyone who has so generously donated funds- your support is essential to the success of our efforts.