Colorado Natural Areas Program Logan Wash Mine Designation Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission July 10, 2014 Raquel Wertsbaugh, CNAP Coordinator raquel.wertsbaugh@state.co.us
Colorado Natural Areas Program CNAP is a statewide conservation program within CPW CNAP s goal is to work with landowners to identify, monitor, and protect the best natural features in Colorado Created by the state legislature in 1977 and operates through voluntary agreements with landowners Colorado Natural Areas Council (CNAC) is a 7 member advisory board of governor-appointed and Commission representatives
Benefits of CNAP Designation CNAP primarily provides a support role, not a management role Recognize areas of unique ecological value, including landowner s exemplary stewardship of these areas Staff and volunteer stewards provide monitoring Assistance to landowners for protection, interpretive, and research projects
Natural Areas Designation Process 1) Site is identified then registered by CNAC 2) Articles of Designation (AODs) are drafted and finalized by landowner & CNAC 3) County commissioners are notified of pending designation and given the opportunity to call a public hearing for input 4) Site is presented to PWC for approval of designation 5) If approved, AODs are signed 6) Notarized document is filed with County Clerk 7) Certificate of Designation is prepared with Governor s seal and signature
Mt. Callahan and Logan Wash Mine Designation Logan Wash Mine: - 82 acres, located in Garfield County - Part of larger complex of Mt. Callahan Properties Mt. Callahan Properties owned by Oxy Current AODs for Mt. Callahan and Mt. Callahan Saddle Natural Areas (680 acres) have been amended to include Logan Wash Mine New AOD would replace old agreements: Mt. Callahan (1987), Saddle (2008)
Significant Features Logan Wash Mine: One of three of the largest and most viable populations of Parachute penstemon (Penstemon debilis) in the world Critically imperiled at the global (G1) and state (S1) level (CNHP) Federally listed as threatened Mt. Callahan Properties: 3 of the 4 largest and most viable populations of Parachute penstemon occur here 5 other rare plant species Excellent examples of 3 native plant communities
Mount Callahan Properties Timeline 1987: Mount Callahan Designation 2008: Mt. Callahan Saddle Designation 2011: Federal listing of Parachute penstemon as threatened 2011-2012: Extensive discussions between CPW, Oxy and USFWS 2012: Federal designation of Critical Habitat for Parachute penstemon Exclusion of Natural Areas and surrounding Oxy lands Proposal to designate Logan Wash Mine AODs drafted include more comprehensive BMPs
Conservation Partnership CNAP has been working cooperatively with Oxy for over 25 years Federal designation of critical habitat for Parachute penstemon was excluded on Mt. Callahan properties - USFWS included Logan Wash Mine in the excluded area with the understanding that the property would be added as a designated Natural Area Unique conservation partnership has shown that a win-win can result from voluntary cooperation between the State and private industry
Rights and Duties Agreement runs with the property Rights and Duties CNAP Rights and Duties Oxy Monitoring during growing season Assist in inventory, mapping, and protection Produce monitoring reports Provide weed mapping data Grant permission for access Establish and implement BMPs May approve or disapprove undertaking of scientific research Notify CNAP of general plans and actions on annual basis
Articles of Designation Highlights BMPs for Mt. Callahan, Mt. Callahan Saddle, and Logan Wash Mine Natural Areas Noxious weed management plan AODs run with the property if/when sale or transfer of property Agreement cannot be terminated until after 2 years from initial notice by either owner or CNAP
Summary The finalization of this agreement will formalize voluntary protections by Oxy for the imperiled Parachute penstemon at Logan Wash Mine This agreement will fulfill our stated intentions with USFWS - Designation of this additional property was a factor in the USFWS decision to exclude Oxy-owned lands from critical habitat for the Parachute penstemon CNAP is asking that the PWC approve the amendments to include Logan Wash Mine in the Mt. Callahan and Mt. Callahan Saddle Natural Areas Articles of Designation
Thank you! Raquel Wertsbaugh, CNAP Coordinator Colorado Parks and Wildlife 6060 Broadway Denver, CO 80216 303-291-7267 raquel.wertsbaugh@state.co.us