Category: News (Older posts)

BLM issued draft environmental impact statements on May 2 to amend its 2015 greater sage grouse plans. The drafts are issued for each of these states including Colorado, opening a 90-day public comment period on May 4 (the date they will be published in the Federal Register), We hope that the (2015) plan remains intact but there likely will be some tweeking. The 2015 plan was developed through collaboration among federal, state and local governments, conservation organizations, agriculture and industry.

The plan “clarifies” mitigation requirements. It states, “The BLM will require and ensure mitigation activities consistent with the recommendation of Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the programs. This will be achieved by avoiding, minimizing, and compensating for impacts by applying beneficial mitigation actions. If the BLM and Colorado Parks and Wildlife determine that there are unacceptable residual impacts on the Greater Sage-Grouse or Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, the BLM will require mitigation that provides a conservation uplift and achieves the outcome consistent with the principles outlined in Appendix H (Guidelines for Implementation and Adaptive Management), consistent with the State of Colorado’s Habitat Exchange and mitigation strategy.”

The net conservation gain standard was not changed, but BLM is requesting comment on compensatory mitigation approach in light of changes to mitigation policies and reconsideration of whether BLM has the authority to impose compensatory mitigation.

Here is the link to the mass of BLM’s Colorado 2018 Northwest Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement: eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do

Kate Zimmerman, longtime public lands, wildlife advocate, dies at 63

by Judith Kohler, NWF Communications Manager, Public Lands

Kate Zimmerman, an attorney who dedicated her career to conserving the public lands, wildlife and wild places that she loved, died unexpectedly in her Boulder home Jan. 18. She was 63. As a staffer with the National Wildlife Federation, the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, now Western Resource Advocates, and in private practice, Zimmerman worked on many significant conservation issues: energy development on public lands, conserving greater sage grouse and pursuing safeguards for fish and wildlife as part of Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service planning.

“Kate was brilliant, passionate, deeply committed to the planet, and a fierce advocate. She was one of the sharpest conservation legal minds in our Federation’s history,” said Collin O’Mara, the National Wildlife Federation’s CEO and president.

Zimmerman’s work ran the gamut from regional concerns, including helping forge an agreement to limit oil and gas drilling on Colorado’s Roan Plateau, to national issues, such as changes in federal rules to better protect air, water and wildlife.

She also advocated for more community-driven solutions to public land management. She often traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal land managers as new guidelines were being written for leasing and drilling on public lands.

“As a direct result of Kate’s work for the Federation over the past 20 years,” O’Mara added, “there are literally millions of acres of land belonging to all Americans that are protected and better-managed because of her encyclopedic knowledge of public lands and her unfailing pursuit to protect our nation’s special places.”

Zimmerman worked closely with several of NWF’s state affiliates, including the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “Kate was a pillar of NWF and of the Colorado and regional conservation community. I shall miss her practical perspectives, intellect and friendship terribly,” said Suzanne O’Neill, the Colorado Wildlife Federation executive director.

Zimmerman was born March 8, 1954, in Akron, Ohio. She grew up in Kent, Ohio, where she graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School as valedictorian. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a master’s in forestry and alaw degree from Yale University. She was an intern at the National Wildlife Federation and later a public lands attorney in the organization’s Washington office. Zimmerman was a law clerk for federal district and appeals court judges in Washington state and Ohio.

In private practice, Zimmerman specialized in environmental and natural resources law, representing national and regional conservation organizations in matters ranging from timber sales to federal reserved water rights. In 2003, she rejoinedthe National Wildlife Federation as a land stewardship policy specialist and most recently was the public lands policy director.

“Everything Kate did was carefully thought-out, thorough and just all-around smart,” said Nada Culver, senior counsel and director of the Bureau of Land Management Action Center at The Wilderness Society. “And somehow, even though she was a recognized expert and so well-respected, she never sought to grab the spotlight. People simply gravitated to her for advice and support because she was just so good at what she did.”

Zimmerman also served as general contractor for Blue Stone Woodworks, a home renovation and construction business owned by her longtime partner, Bill Cheatwood. The two knew each other since junior high school and moved to Boulder in 1990. They skied, hiked, cycled, rafted and traveled around the country and the world together.

Cheatwood said her cause of death is undetermined at this point. Zimmerman’s parents, Jane and Todd, preceded her in death. In addition to Cheatwood, her survivors include her brother, Jeff, his wife, Susan, and their children, Julia and Greg of Austin, Texas.

Kate Zimmerman, longtime public lands, wildlife advocate, dies at 63

by Judith Kohler, NWF Communications Manager, Public Lands

Kate Zimmerman, an attorney who dedicated her career to conserving the public lands, wildlife and wild places that she loved, died unexpectedly in her Boulder home Jan. 18. She was 63. As a staffer with the National Wildlife Federation, the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, now Western Resource Advocates, and in private practice, Zimmerman worked on many significant conservation issues: energy development on public lands, conserving greater sage grouse and pursuing safeguards for fish and wildlife as part of Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service planning.

“Kate was brilliant, passionate, deeply committed to the planet, and a fierce advocate. She was one of the sharpest conservation legal minds in our Federation’s history,” said Collin O’Mara, the National Wildlife Federation’s CEO and president.

Zimmerman’s work ran the gamut from regional concerns, including helping forge an agreement to limit oil and gas drilling on Colorado’s Roan Plateau, to national issues, such as changes in federal rules to better protect air, water and wildlife.

She also advocated for more community-driven solutions to public land management. She often traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal land managers as new guidelines were being written for leasing and drilling on public lands.

“As a direct result of Kate’s work for the Federation over the past 20 years,” O’Mara added, “there are literally millions of acres of land belonging to all Americans that are protected and better-managed because of her encyclopedic knowledge of public lands and her unfailing pursuit to protect our nation’s special places.”

Zimmerman worked closely with several of NWF’s state affiliates, including the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “Kate was a pillar of NWF and of the Colorado and regional conservation community. I shall miss her practical perspectives, intellect and friendship terribly,” said Suzanne O’Neill, the Colorado Wildlife Federation executive director.

Zimmerman was born March 8, 1954, in Akron, Ohio. She grew up in Kent, Ohio, where she graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School as valedictorian. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a master’s in forestry and alaw degree from Yale University. She was an intern at the National Wildlife Federation and later a public lands attorney in the organization’s Washington office. Zimmerman was a law clerk for federal district and appeals court judges in Washington state and Ohio.

In private practice, Zimmerman specialized in environmental and natural resources law, representing national and regional conservation organizations in matters ranging from timber sales to federal reserved water rights. In 2003, she rejoinedthe National Wildlife Federation as a land stewardship policy specialist and most recently was the public lands policy director.

“Everything Kate did was carefully thought-out, thorough and just all-around smart,” said Nada Culver, senior counsel and director of the Bureau of Land Management Action Center at The Wilderness Society. “And somehow, even though she was a recognized expert and so well-respected, she never sought to grab the spotlight. People simply gravitated to her for advice and support because she was just so good at what she did.”

Zimmerman also served as general contractor for Blue Stone Woodworks, a home renovation and construction business owned by her longtime partner, Bill Cheatwood. The two knew each other since junior high school and moved to Boulder in 1990. They skied, hiked, cycled, rafted and traveled around the country and the world together.

Cheatwood said her cause of death is undetermined at this point. Zimmerman’s parents, Jane and Todd, preceded her in death. In addition to Cheatwood, her survivors include her brother, Jeff, his wife, Susan, and their children, Julia and Greg of Austin, Texas.

Colorado’s Principles for Advancing Outdoor Recreation and Conservation

cpw.state.co.us/partners
CWF has signed onto these Principles.

Preamble
We believe the uniquely American public land heritage is a privilege and a birthright, and Colorado’s abundant open space and outdoor recreation opportunities contribute to our quality of life and economic vitality. Combined with the North American Model of wildlife management and private land conservation, Coloradans and our visitors enjoy spectacular landscapes in which to work, play and live. We celebrate the contributions of all sectors of our economy to sustaining a healthy balance of our State’s ecosystems. Responsible recreation respects all interests on lands and waters, and works to eliminate conflicts. For these reasons, Coloradans should feel compelled to care for and conserve landscapes, waterways and wildlife to sustain them and eliminate conflicts for generations to come by adopting the following principles:

1. Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for
properly.

2. Within Colorado’s diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences.

3. Both recreation and conservation are needed to sustain Colorado’s quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health, and for sustaining Colorado’s natural resources.

4. All recreation has impact. Coloradans have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior.

5. Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water and wildlife, and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities.

6. Physical, biological and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation.

7. Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation.

Colorado’s Principles for Advancing Outdoor Recreation and Conservation

cpw.state.co.us/partners
CWF has signed onto these Principles.

Preamble
We believe the uniquely American public land heritage is a privilege and a birthright, and Colorado’s abundant open space and outdoor recreation opportunities contribute to our quality of life and economic vitality. Combined with the North American Model of wildlife management and private land conservation, Coloradans and our visitors enjoy spectacular landscapes in which to work, play and live. We celebrate the contributions of all sectors of our economy to sustaining a healthy balance of our State’s ecosystems. Responsible recreation respects all interests on lands and waters, and works to eliminate conflicts. For these reasons, Coloradans should feel compelled to care for and conserve landscapes, waterways and wildlife to sustain them and eliminate conflicts for generations to come by adopting the following principles:

1. Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for
properly.

2. Within Colorado’s diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences.

3. Both recreation and conservation are needed to sustain Colorado’s quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health, and for sustaining Colorado’s natural resources.

4. All recreation has impact. Coloradans have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior.

5. Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water and wildlife, and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities.

6. Physical, biological and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation.

7. Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation.

The public comments on the draft plan for the Rio Grande National Forest are due December 29. CWF’s representative attended the 4 public meetings held by the US Forest Service this fall. We have been urging all who care about wildlife connectivity between this forest and the Carson and SantaFe National Forests in New Mexico to submit comments. Submit comments to rgnf_forest_plan.fs.fed.us

or mail to:

Rio Grande National Forest

Forest Plan Revision

1803 W. Highway 160

Monte Vista CO 81144

CWF will post our comments on this website. Essentially, we favor Alternative D and particularly have been making the following points:

Strongly urge that the Spruce Hole/Osler/Toltec Connectivity Special Interest Area be protected as a special use area in Alternative D of the draft plan. This area is critical to protect because big game in the area depend upon this area to migrate between southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

In addition, our state mammal, the bighorn sheep needs attention. it must be added included as a science-based “species of conservation concern” as it is in a precarious situation.

Beyond the particular area, it is very important that fragmentation of wildlife habitat be avoided or at least very minimized. Colorado ‘s population is projected to increase from 5.5 million to 8.5 million by the year 2050. As even more people seek to enjoy the Rio Grande National Forest during the coming years, wildlife habitats must be protected now, for example, by removing obsolete fencing and decommissioning and obliterating roads that are no longer needed.

We support the Elk and Deer Wintering Range Management Area 5.41 because of its importance as an elk migration route between summer and winter ranges.

— Re protecting our Rio Grand cutthroat trout: Both the Jim Creek Special Interest Area and the Carnero Creek Special Interest Area are important to the conservation of this fish.

The public comments on the draft plan for the Rio Grande National Forest are due December 29. CWF’s representative attended the 4 public meetings held by the US Forest Service this fall. We have been urging all who care about wildlife connectivity between this forest and the Carson and SantaFe National Forests in New Mexico to submit comments. Submit comments to rgnf_forest_plan.fs.fed.us

or mail to:

Rio Grande National Forest

Forest Plan Revision

1803 W. Highway 160

Monte Vista CO 81144

CWF will post our comments on this website. Essentially, we favor Alternative D and particularly have been making the following points:

Strongly urge that the Spruce Hole/Osler/Toltec Connectivity Special Interest Area be protected as a special use area in Alternative D of the draft plan. This area is critical to protect because big game in the area depend upon this area to migrate between southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

In addition, our state mammal, the bighorn sheep needs attention. it must be added included as a science-based “species of conservation concern” as it is in a precarious situation.

Beyond the particular area, it is very important that fragmentation of wildlife habitat be avoided or at least very minimized. Colorado ‘s population is projected to increase from 5.5 million to 8.5 million by the year 2050. As even more people seek to enjoy the Rio Grande National Forest during the coming years, wildlife habitats must be protected now, for example, by removing obsolete fencing and decommissioning and obliterating roads that are no longer needed.

We support the Elk and Deer Wintering Range Management Area 5.41 because of its importance as an elk migration route between summer and winter ranges.

— Re protecting our Rio Grand cutthroat trout: Both the Jim Creek Special Interest Area and the Carnero Creek Special Interest Area are important to the conservation of this fish.

On October 5, 2017 BLM issued its Notice of Intent to reconsier its federal greater sage grouse plan. This is disturbing because western states, including Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and a diverse array of stakeholders in Colorado, worked hard over several years to develop their input to the current 2015 plan. Public comments can be submitted until December 1. Submit comments to blm_sagegrouseplanning@blm.gov

On October 5, 2017 BLM issued its Notice of Intent to reconsier its federal greater sage grouse plan. This is disturbing because western states, including Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and a diverse array of stakeholders in Colorado, worked hard over several years to develop their input to the current 2015 plan. Public comments can be submitted until December 1. Submit comments to blm_sagegrouseplanning@blm.gov

The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies brought together state, federal and local partners who have an interest in western wildlife issues for its 97th summer conference in Vail in early July. Included was approval of several white papers concerning sage grouse management that we hope will help inform Department of the Interior review of current conservation efforts under Secretarial Order 3353. Here is the link to the Order www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/so_3353.pdf

Here is the link to the white papers: www.wafwa.org/initiatives/sagebrush_ecosystem_initiative/