Agricultural Value

Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Mission is “To conserve natural, cultural and agricultural resources and provide public uses which reflect sound resource management and community values.” The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan (BCCP) philosophy is: “Growth should be channeled to municipalities. Agricultural lands should be protected. Preservation of our environmental and natural resources should be a high priority in making land use decisions.”

The BCCP states, “Open space shall be used as a means of preserving the rural character of the unincorporated county and as a means of protecting from development those areas which have significant environmental, scenic or cultural value.” The BCCP Significant Agricultural Lands Map designates the area proposed for gravel mining among “Lands of Statewide Importance.” Where do the county’s and state’s current priorities lie for this proposed mining site?

(Elaine Paul)