Boulder County contains a unique combination of prairie, forest and tundra environments. This environmental heritage includes non-renewable, irreplaceable resources such as natural areas and natural landmarks which warrant preservation from destruction or harmful alteration.
Natural Landmarks are defined as prominent landscape features that distinguish a specific locality in Boulder County and are important because of the views they afford, their value as scenic vistas and backdrops, and the intrinsic value they hold as wildlife or plant habitats, natural areas, park and open space preserves and open land areas.
Natural Landmarks are designated for scenic, visual and aesthetic values, providing a record of the natural heritage of Boulder County. Natural Landmarks may have additional cultural, ecological or geological attributes, becoming higher priorities for designation and protection with an assemblage of values. However, the single criterion for consideration of an area for Natural Landmark status will be its visual and scenic prominence as a landscape feature:
The chief objective of the goals and policies is to protect and conserve unique or critical environmental resources through the encouragement of compatibility between proposed development and designated Natural Landmarks. Additional objectives include:
ER 1.01 Natural Landmarks and natural areas as identified in the Environmental Resources Element, and as may be identified from time to time or pursuant to 36-10-101, CRS, as amended, shall be protected from destruction or harmful alteration.
ER 1.02 Land use proposals which could have a potential adverse impact to Natural Landmarks shall be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the scale of the proposal and the scope of the adverse impacts, the County may determine that a site specific evaluation of the impacts is warranted and will be required of the applicant.
ER 1.03 Boulder County shall work with municipalities which, by virtue of ownership or lease, control unincorporated land where areas/sites detailed in ER1.01 are located for achieving the provisions of policy ER1.01.
ER 1.04 Boulder County, utilizing County staff, volunteers, and professionals, shall continue researching potential County natural areas and Natural Landmarks. The research will be to update the Environmental Resources Element, adding qualified areas and Landmarks to those currently designated on Map Sheets 4 and 6.
ER 1.05 Designated natural areas or Natural Landmarks which also have other environmental designations (e.g. critical wildlife habitats, wetlands, rare plant sites, environmental conservation areas, etc.) will be dealt with according to all appropriate policies and regulations.
ER 1.06 The County shall identify and work to assure the preservation of critical wildlife habitats, natural areas, Natural Landmarks, environmental conservation areas and significant agricultural land.
ER 1.07 Areas that are considered as valuable scenic vistas, such as the foothills portion of Boulder County, shall be preserved as much as possible in their natural state.
ER 1.08 The County shall use its open space program as one means of achieving its environmental resources and cultural preservation goals.
ER 1.09 The Parks and Open Space Department shall conduct analyses of existing and potential Natural Landmarks for the purpose of identifying land ownership and a feasible program for protection of the feature(s) and/or vistas of the Landmark. Buffer zones will be designated to appropriately insulate Natural Landmarks from detrimental land use encroachments.
ER 1.10 From time to time Natural Landmark designations may be revised or deleted to reflect changing conditions or new categories of designation.
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