Appendix 1.2 Magnolia Resident Survey

Appendix 1.2.1 Sample Survey

MAGNOLIA RESIDENTS, HAVE YOUR SAY!

PUMA Wants to Know What You Think.

If you have received our newsletters over the past year or so, you know that PUMA is a local group dedicated to preserving thequality of life on Magnolia and that we welcome participation by property owners and residents in the area. Many of us live orvacation up here because we appreciate Magnolia's beautiful forests and meadows, delight in the indigenous wildlife, and enjoythe peace and quiet of the area. Unfortunately, as population increases here and in surrounding areas, increasing impact on ourmountain environment is inevitable. Currently there are two governmental agencies (the U.S. Forest Service and BoulderCounty) whose on going plans may affect our present way of life.

Fortunately, both have invited our input  and it's not too late to influence them

PUMA members have already made suggestions and recommendations and voiced concerns regarding the U.S. Forest Service's10 year forest management plan (if you would like to know more about the recommendations that have been made, please let usknow); we would like to do the same for the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is designed tooversee and regulate matters like housing density and development, zoning, open space, road maintenance, etc. As it stands theBoulder County Commissioners would welcome our input if it representative of local residents' opinions.

So here is where you come in: tell us what you think

Your wishes and concerns are important to PUMA,  but first, you must express them! To that end we invite you to respond to the enclosed survey and to add any additional comments that you wish to make.

Please return this survey to Bay Roberts, 914 Pine Glade Rd, Nederland, CO 80466 <no later than October 23^rd.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

1. Would you like to know more about local, county, state and federal bills, laws and policy changes that might affect this area?

YES___ NO___

2. Would you like to do more to help Preserve Unique Magnolia (PUMA)?

YES___ NOT AT THIS TIME___

3. Do you encourage growth and development in the Magnolia Area?

ENCOURAGE___ ENCOURAGE WITH RESERVATIONS___ DISCOURAGE___

4. Rate your level of satisfaction on the following issues: (please check accordingly)

5. Do you support increased recreational use on Forest Service Lands in the Magnolia area. including more established trails and facilities?   STRONGLY SUPPORT___ SUPPORT___ DO NOT SUPPORT___

COMMENTS_________________________________________________________________

6. Do you feel it is desirable to improve existing trails and facilities (e.g.: campgrounds) within the National forest in this area?

YES___ OK___

7. Please rate the following topics in terms of how important you think they are to our community:

8. The status of County Road 68J as it applies to motorized vehicles is currently under review by the County Commissioners. Proposals have been made to close the road permanently, close it seasonally, install locked gates at either end with keys for nearby residents and other applicants, or leave it as is. What is your choice?

CLOSE___ CLOSE SEASONALLY___ INSTALL GATES___ LEAVE AS IS___

COMMENTS_________________________________________________________

9. Other areas you are interested in or concerned about PUMA should consider in the coming years:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

(please include additional comments on a separate sheet of paper)

PUMA thanks you for taking the time to fill out this survey and will do our best to represent residents' opinions.

Preserve Unique Magnolia Bulk Rate
P.O. Box 536 U.S. Postage
Nederland. CO, 80466 PAID
Permit No. 24

Appendix 1.2.2 Magnolia Resident Survey Results

NOVEMBER 19, 1996

RESULTS OF THE MAGNOLIA ROAD SURVEY

Number of surveys mailed   350

Number of responses   75

1. 293 surveys were mailed to Magnolia Road residents with specific names and addresses. (70 of these people responded)

2. 32 surveys were sent to “current resident” on Magnolia Road. (5 responded)

3. 25 were mailed to state \county\city officials and various environmental organizations. (0 responded)

1. Would you like to know more about local, state and federal bills, laws and policy changes that might affect the Magnolia Road area? YES  73 NO  2

2. Would you like to do more to help Preserve Unique Magnolia Association (PUMA)? YES  40, Not at this time  34

3. Do you encourage growth and development in the Magnolia area? Encourage  1, Encourage with reservations  14, Discourage  63.

4. Rate your level of satisfaction on the following issues:

5. Do you support increased recreational use on National Forests in the Magnolia area, including more established trails and facilities? Strongly Support  1, Support  13. Do Not Support  52

6. Do you feel it is desirable to improve existing trails and facilities, (e.g. campgrounds ) within the National Forest in the Magnolia area?

YES  23 NO  46

7. Please rate the following topics in terms of how important you think they are to our community.

8. The Status of County Road 68J as it applies to motorized vehicles is currently under review by the County Commissioners. Proposals have been made to close the road permanently, close it seasonally, install locked gates at either end with keys for nearby residents and other applicants, or leave it as is. What is your choice? Close 23, Close Seasonally  13, Install Gates  22, Leave as is 7 (Thus, 58 people prefer some sort of closure.)

SURVEY COMMENTS:

3. Growth and Development in Magnolia area

“Hard to say  feel there is enough activity already”.

“Only if people as a community set standards for growth”

“Discourage with reservations”.

“I discourage growth, but, if you own the land, you should have the same right to pursue your dream as those of us who got here earlier.”

“Discourage with reservations. What do you mean by growth and development?' Better roads and speed bumps are OK, a 7 11 is not.”

“We've had enough growth over the past 12 plus years.”

“Water – there is so much construction, and some people even have lawns…LAWNS!! Is our water table holding? Is the proliferation of septic systems affecting the quality of our water?”

“Our home is our sanctuary. We don’t want to lose it to the plagues of the city.”

4. Issues: Zoning/Building Activities:

“No metal buildings.

“Housing size should be limited to 5000 square feet.”

'Lots of buildings without permits.”

“Size of houses over 5000 square feet is immoral!”

“Seems like a lot of construction. Should keep limits of natural environment in mind including wildlife habitat.”

“Fences: size and placement – we watched a fence go up in our area that cut off an obvious age old elk path for 3 non-indigenous canines. Now the elk have to walk out into the road to circumvent the huge fence”

“County site review has no teeth and can be overwhelmed with money! i.e. Stalling's house”

4. Issues: DIA Noise:

“Satisfied for now.”

“ Urgh!”

“OK but small planes (Boulder Airport) are too many and too low.”

“Practically non existent: Scott Rueman whines louder than the planes.”

“Doesn't seem like we've gotten anywhere!”

“Much better.”

“FAA should meet their EIS.”

“There has been less recent noise.”

“When we look at the overall picture, our greatest concern and the greatest infringement on our quality of life is NOISE. It seems to bombard us from all sides, every day. Of course, the worst and most intractable is 1) aviation noise. I won’t go on about it – you know already. Next, is 2) inefficient small engines – motorcycles, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, weed whackers, etc. (chain saws seem seasonal.) We sometimes have groups of people – especially on weekends & during the summer – who ride dirt bikes around the CR68, Pine Glade, Aspen Meadows loop for hours on end. It really fries the nervous system. 3) Now, I love dogs, BUT…they used to be our #1 noise complaint until the aircraft and engines drown them out. Now they seem to fill the few precious spaces of nature sounds. The low ambient noise, thin atmosphere and mountain topography exacerbate the noise problem. Rural is not city. The impact of city behavior is amplified/magnified in the mountains.

4. Issues: County Road Upkeep:

“No paving.”

“Too well groomed to control speeds.”

“An impossible task with traffic volume. “Satisfied, but pave the rest of the road” “Satisfied  though they could close 68J” 'DO NOT PAVE MAGNOLIA. It is hard for us to say. We only drive once a week or so.” “Too much grading  much wasted money” 'Excellent”

“I oppose the paving of any more roads. We also oppose any projects that widen 119 or other roads. They should be well maintained for safety reasons, but we should not encourage more traffic and activity than the ecology can safely and healthily sustain. It’s nuts!! If people don’t like long, slow commutes, they’ll be encouraged to go where the environment can handle it. When 119 was widened, they were cutting and blasting down the mountains so people could get to the mountains faster. (Sheesh! Is it me that’s crazy?) “

4. Issues: Fire Protection:

“We need better coordinated neighborhood efforts.” “Would like neighborhood meeting on fire plan for forest fire/escape routes etc.” “No experience” “Fire Dept. needs more help and they do well with what they have.”

4. Issues: Firearm Use Laws:

“Very dissatisfied” “Shooting too close to residential and recreational area” “Aside from one or two areas, there's no control at all and what we do has no bite “Greater restrictions needed” “Don't know the laws but hear too much shooting nearby.” 'There should be no shooting allowed here. Too densely populated now.” “Very obnoxious and dangerous”

4. Issues: Dog Control:

“Barking is becoming a huge problem.” “Dogs often on loose” “Many violations” “Enforce barking/ leash laws” could get on a soap box about this!” “Many dogs could use training.” “Urqh!! Owners MUST be responsible for the noise their dogs make.”

“Even those who contain their dogs allow them to bark incessantly. Many of these people work in town, so are unaware of noise their animals make. I feel sorry for the dogs, too. They’re social being s who find themselves left alone most of the time. It is not surprising that, when unrestricted, they pack and become menacing. Loose dogs have chased me into my own house; they love to rip into the compost; and they kill small creatures. (Some households on Aspen Meadows have as many as 5 dogs,)”

4. Issues: Police Services

“Need increased patrols in heavily used recreational areas. Is great when they respond  have had a few times when I didn't know if they responded or not!” “No experience”

4. Issues: Traffic:

“Too much and too fast  we've seen more than one animal hobbling around with a broken leg. People drive too fast to stop for wildlife.” “People drive far too fast.” “Concern with speeding cars, or driving down the middle of the road” “What ever can be done about traffic? We all love our cars.” Goes too fast” “People drive too fast:” “Many travel too fast, negotiate curves on wrong side of road, etc.” “Some hurrying tailgaters” “Everyone drives like maniacs  SLOW DOWN!!!!” “Promote some form of car pooling” “Too much with dangerous curve cutting”

5. Recreational use on Forest Service lands

“Motorized use is noisy and destructive. It needs to be limited. Through trails and loop trails that fragment habitat should be discouraged. Trails ARE NOT environmentally friendly. We should make this known, mountain bikes in sensitive wild life areas and in new open space are increasingly disruptive. Contain their use to appropriate existing trails where confIict is minimal.”

“Unless there is effective education and training of people in caring for these lands., no one should be allowed use of these lands.”

“They need more money for more enforcement of existing use before they add more.”

“Strictly non motorized.”

“Don't understand all implications. “Fear increased use.”

“Do not want any more established trails and facilities.”

“Walk, bikes (lots of trail abuse) or horses only (non motorized).”

“No FACILITIES.”

“Support with reservations.”

“Would suffer increased useage rather then see our own usage restricted.”

“Depends on what you mean  outhouses, trash cans are fine campgrounds and fire pits are not.”

“Fire issues are paramount.”

“Close all trails to motorized access.”

“Not famiIiar with traiIs.”

“Agencies should develop further away from Boulder where there are no recreational facilities. Its TOO easy to develop around us since the infrastructure is here.”

“Increased foot travel use is the only recreation I fully support.”

“Is access sufficient.”

“As long as the natural environment can be retained.”

“Except for foot/ski travel over open space.”

“I believe maintaining existing trails is important to limit multiplicity of same trails (i.e. limit fallen trees, new trail forms around it) Do not want to see this become a recreation area   we have too much wildlife to think of.”

“Too much use presently with no enforcement.”

“Need to be managed, not uncontrolled.”,

“The land has its limits and we're there. Favor better maintenance and clear understanding of what the ecosystem can tolerate.”

“I think there is enough for the size. Don't increase.”

“Favor closure of County Road 68J 4 wheel drive traffic is very disturbing.”

6. Improving existing trails and facilities within National Forest

“Better fire rings to prevent fires. Only fires allowed in metal rings, etc.”

“Improve NOT expand. Improve and maintain trails and facilities to encourage users to STAY on the trails, to put refuse in garbage cans, to use restrooms instead of the woods.”

“I think the impact overall will be less, and camping in designated areas better than free for all camping Iike on West Magnolia.”

“Not if it costs more money and creates problems for our community.”

“Allow trails to remain semi naturalized, do not upgrade.”

“Make new trails further from Boulder. Too easy to do stuff around here.”

'Trails yes   campground no.”

“NO FACILITIES.”

“Designated campsites may become necessary.”

“Because many areas need restoration.”

“Depends on people’s respect and behavior of the land.”

7. Importance of topics to community

“VERY important: wildlife protection, growth control: size and potential for water consumption. RURAL lifestyle preservation: rural America is under assault. I don't believe we can calI our home “rural” any more already. And DIA NOISE!! All aviation noise   because of DIA's flight paths, prop planes have been driven LOWER so that they are much noisier than before and the many small airports are growing fast   too fast.”

8. Closure of County Road 68J

“Closed to MOTORIZED vehicles except for fire trucks   the road should be maintained however, to facilitate fire fighting.”

“There are other options.”

“Closing to motorized vehicles most desirable!!”

“Closing is a concern to fire access. It closes seasonally anyway. Installing gates will present a problem for fire access. Gates will just get torn down or driven around. Leaving as is, there is a concern of campers.”

“Gated to be used by Forest Service and, fire department only.”

“We disagree with only the privileged having access such as Lazy Z. Either give keys to anyone who wants them or close it to everyone with no keys except to fire stations with no personal use permitted.”

“Install gates if convenient for residents.”

“Install gates and local citizen surveillance and daily walks to encounter outside users to educate/ inform them.”

“Important wildlife migration corridor and wintering habitat, the road has been seriously abused by motorheads.”

“Close only to motor Vehicle traffic   open for non motor use.”

“We have enjoyed driving that stretch but do not understand the problem or the options.”

“Great biking trail, inaccessible to most motor vehicles.”

“I do not have background, but I'll bet 68J WAS a trail that became mechanized, unofficially and unauthorized.”

“Possibly fence off road.”

“Install gates and bolders to block spur roads.”

'Close seasonally to all motorized travel Nov. I to June 1 with increased weekend patrols during summer. Close and fence all spur roads and casual campsites.”

“Gates and keys for local users.”

“Close as soon as possible.”

“Charge key fee of $50. to raise money for rehabilitation an of the area.”

“I don't think keys for residents will work. Residents are part of the problem. Keys for emergency services only!'

9. Areas you are interested in or that PUMA should consider (number of responses)

Community Building  5

Road Safety  3

Fuel Breaks  4

Building Regulations  3

Wildlife inventory  4

Trash Along Magnolia  2

Mediation Between Local Interest Groups  2

Local Open Space  2

Increased Local Trails  2

Fire Protection  4

Auto Speed On Magnolia  3

Mining Claim Development  2

Closing Local Roads And Trails  13

Dog Noise And Trespassing  4

Noise Pollution  4

Water Quality   3

Gross Reservoir Status  3

Excessive Signage  (i.e. Remax  Jimmy Keith)  2

Comprehensive Plan  I

Pro Paving Magnolia  3

Open Reynolds Ranch For Hiking etc. 2

DIA  2

Trespassing  2

Weed control  4

Excessive Fencing  2

Air Quality  2

Small Aircraft Noise  4

Anti Paying Magnolia – 2

Other Comments:

“Has PUMA considered a regular column in the Mountain Ear the focus of which is awareness – education – action? It might help to focus more people per issue/problem helping us to make faster progress. Perhaps a quarterly or monthly article. DOW’s bear articles were enormously helpful. If you do what they tell you to – no problems. Our area went from big problems with bears to no problems except for one man who refuses to take in the dog food and won’t cover his fresh compost. Naturally he’s pissed at the bears! We’ve never had a bear in the compost if we cover fresh refuse with dirt.”

“The City of Boulder has its annual Trash Day. Do you think the County would be willing to have an annual Slash Day - people who put out their slash along the road on their designated day would have it removed for free or a small fee? The big gravel trucks and carts that assist road maintenance people drive all the way back to the gravel source empty. It might encourage people to help reduce the fire danger from dead trees and brush, and eliminate trees dying from mistletoe.”

“Controlling non-indigenous plant pests and mistletoe: think in terms of “healthy forests” instead of get rid of this or that – pull in Forest Service etc. to work with us to identify specific problem areas, educate us about what to do, then we do it.”

“Air quality – It is undeniable that the quality of our air is deteriorating. We now have a black, oily film on our decks etc. that was simply not there in “91 – “92. I’m sure that increased air traffic is contributing. If that junk is on the deck then it is surely on every living thing including the soil.”

“The Boulder Flying School is advertising like mad – learn to fly; aerobatics; aerial photos; CANYON viewing. The pilot who crashed on Sugarloaf was inexperienced with mountain flying and had filed no flight plan. These people are flying willy nilly. Besides killing himself and forever altering the life of his family and friends, he could have ignited a forest fire. There have been 3 light plane crashes in Boulder County since the beginning of summer. When a new highway is built a sound barrier can be erected. WE, however, are at the complete mercy of commercial jets and props, and pleasure craft. We wake up and go to bed to the sound of airplanes. The sound should be restricted.”

Suggestions for future surveys: Ask how many people the returned questionnaire represents. Be very clear and specific in presentation. Encourage respondents to answer either yes or no  Question marks and comments are difficult to tabulate. Forward address corrections to the proper people to update our mailing list.