The National Park Service (NPS) has released for public review and comment an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Exotic Plant Management Plan for Rocky Mountain National Park. Invasive exotic plants are capable of spreading rapidly, outcompeting native plants, and drastically altering ecosystem conditions and processes. The number of invasive exotic plant species in the park is growing, as are their distribution and acreage. This is occurring despite efforts to control these occurrences. The park is currently managing exotic invasive plant infestations in accordance with the 2003 Invasive Exotic Plant Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (2003 plan). While the 2003 plan provides a mechanism for addressing some invasive exotic plant infestations, it does not allow managers the flexibility to deal with new species infestations, prevents the eradication of some treated species, and does not contain a structured framework to incorporate new science and information into the decision-making and management process.
The park is proposing to adopt a framework to manage exotic plant species. The EA evaluates two alternatives: a no action alternative and a preferred alternative. Under Alternative A (the no action alternative), the park would continue to manage exotic plants under the 2003 plan. Under Alternative B (the preferred alternative), the park would develop a decision-making framework that would incorporate the best available science, expert knowledge, site assessments, and monitoring to determine the extent of exotic species infestations, determine if management is necessary, prioritize management, and determine the most effective management methods. Park staff would have the flexibility to use a full range of integrated pest management tools, including mechanical control, responsible chemical control, cultural practices, biological control, early detection, and monitoring the effectiveness of management strategies that are consistent with NPS policy and Director’s Order #77-7: Integrated Pest Management.
Public Comment
Park staff encourage public participation throughout the planning process. A public meeting will take place on Thursday, November 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Estes Valley Library in the Hondius Room, 335 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517. There will be a short presentation at 6:15 p.m., and park staff will be available to answer questions. The public is invited at any point during the scheduled time to review materials and provide written comments.
The EA will be on public review, with comments accepted through December 6. The document is available electronically for review and comment online by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/romo, the website for the NPS’s Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system. Look for “Exotic Plant Management Plan.”
Comments also may be mailed to the address below:
Superintendent
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO 80517
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Although you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Woman in fabricated bear attack pleads guilty to false reporting to authorities
A Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigation into an alleged bear attack at Golden Gate Canyon State Park on Sept. 19 resulted in a citation of a Gilpin County woman for false reporting to authorities. Julie Bosworth, 38, plead guilty Tuesday to the class III misdemeanor and was sentenced by Gilpin County Judge David Taylor to 20 hours of community service.
“As an agency we investigate these to the fullest and we cannot and will not tolerate false reporting,” said CPW Northeast Region Manager Mark Leslie. “If you do this, we are going to charge you.”
The citation was issued Oct. 9 after the investigation and DNA testing - her clothing was sent to a Wyoming lab where the only DNA discovered was that from human and dog hairs - proved the injuries Bosworth sustained were not from a bear.
"CPW staff works diligently with our partner agencies to promote and enhance visitor safety throughout the state,” said Golden Gate Canyon State Park Manager Todd Farrow. “False reports such as these are a hindrance to our already limited staff and resources as our time and efforts can be better utilized. In addition, it can also affect how the public views the already delicate balance between human and wildlife encounters."
Deputies with the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office responded Sept. 19 at 1:20 p.m. to the Coyote Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park following a 911 call from Bosworth reporting she had been attacked by a bear. Emergency services personnel transported her to Saint Anthony Medical Center in Lakewood at 1:40 p.m. for treatment to injuries on her arms, legs and head.
Park rangers and wildlife officers had also responded to the scene and conducted a two-acre search surrounding the Coyote Trail, finding no evidence of wildlife active in the area. Following the investigation at the scene and subsequent interview of the woman, CPW officials determined at that time that no bear attack occurred.
The later DNA testing was sent in for confirmation to support the findings of the incident that day.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
“As an agency we investigate these to the fullest and we cannot and will not tolerate false reporting,” said CPW Northeast Region Manager Mark Leslie. “If you do this, we are going to charge you.”
"CPW staff works diligently with our partner agencies to promote and enhance visitor safety throughout the state,” said Golden Gate Canyon State Park Manager Todd Farrow. “False reports such as these are a hindrance to our already limited staff and resources as our time and efforts can be better utilized. In addition, it can also affect how the public views the already delicate balance between human and wildlife encounters."
Deputies with the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office responded Sept. 19 at 1:20 p.m. to the Coyote Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park following a 911 call from Bosworth reporting she had been attacked by a bear. Emergency services personnel transported her to Saint Anthony Medical Center in Lakewood at 1:40 p.m. for treatment to injuries on her arms, legs and head.
Park rangers and wildlife officers had also responded to the scene and conducted a two-acre search surrounding the Coyote Trail, finding no evidence of wildlife active in the area. Following the investigation at the scene and subsequent interview of the woman, CPW officials determined at that time that no bear attack occurred.
The later DNA testing was sent in for confirmation to support the findings of the incident that day.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Monday, November 5, 2018
Audubon Invites You to Join the 119th Annual Christmas Bird Count
For the 119th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers will participate in counts across the Western Hemisphere. The data collected by participants continues to contribute to one of only two large existing pools of information notifying ornithologists and conservation biologists about what conservation action is required to protect birds and the places they need.
The Christmas Bird Count is one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world. Each individual count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day—not just the species but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.
Last year, the 118th Christmas Bird Count included a record-setting 2585 count circles, with 1957 counts in the United States, 463 in Canada and 165 in Latin America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Pacific Islands. This was the eighth-straight year of record-breaking counts. In total, 76,987 observers out in the field and watching feeders tallied up 59,242,067 birds representing 2673 different species and 426 identifiable forms—about one-quarter of the world’s known avifauna. Approximately 5 percent of the North American landmass was surveyed by the Christmas Bird Count. Last year included a new species for the entire Christmas Bird Count database: a Mistle Thrush representing the first ever appearance of that species in North America.
Continuing the disturbing finding from last year was the continued decline of the Northern Bobwhite, the only native quail in the eastern United States. This species has essentially disappeared from the Northeast and faces massive declines due to loss of shrubland habitat exacerbated by increased droughts. Other species in decline include American Kestrels, our smallest falcon, and the Loggerhead Shrike, a predatory songbird that impales its prey on thorns. While the reasons for these declines is poorly understood, scientists suspect loss of habitat as well as susceptibility to pesticide use.
Beginning on Christmas Day in 1900, Dr. Frank M. Chapman, founder of Bird-Lore – which evolved into Audubon magazine -- proposed a new holiday tradition that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. So began the Christmas Bird Count. 119 years later, the tradition continues and still manages to bring out the best in people.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is a community science project organized by the National Audubon Society. There is no fee to participate and the quarterly report, American Birds, is available online. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to learn more. For more information and to find a count near you visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Last year, the 118th Christmas Bird Count included a record-setting 2585 count circles, with 1957 counts in the United States, 463 in Canada and 165 in Latin America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Pacific Islands. This was the eighth-straight year of record-breaking counts. In total, 76,987 observers out in the field and watching feeders tallied up 59,242,067 birds representing 2673 different species and 426 identifiable forms—about one-quarter of the world’s known avifauna. Approximately 5 percent of the North American landmass was surveyed by the Christmas Bird Count. Last year included a new species for the entire Christmas Bird Count database: a Mistle Thrush representing the first ever appearance of that species in North America.
Continuing the disturbing finding from last year was the continued decline of the Northern Bobwhite, the only native quail in the eastern United States. This species has essentially disappeared from the Northeast and faces massive declines due to loss of shrubland habitat exacerbated by increased droughts. Other species in decline include American Kestrels, our smallest falcon, and the Loggerhead Shrike, a predatory songbird that impales its prey on thorns. While the reasons for these declines is poorly understood, scientists suspect loss of habitat as well as susceptibility to pesticide use.
Beginning on Christmas Day in 1900, Dr. Frank M. Chapman, founder of Bird-Lore – which evolved into Audubon magazine -- proposed a new holiday tradition that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. So began the Christmas Bird Count. 119 years later, the tradition continues and still manages to bring out the best in people.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is a community science project organized by the National Audubon Society. There is no fee to participate and the quarterly report, American Birds, is available online. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to learn more. For more information and to find a count near you visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Liberty Cap Trail Closure
A small portion of the Liberty Cap Trail in Colorado National Monument will be closed November 7-8, 2018 and again November 13-15, 2018 as a maintenance crew works on the trail. The closure will provide a safe environment for employees and protect hikers from potentially hazardous situations. The trail will be open over the Veteran’s Day holiday weekend.
The closure is from 1/10 of a mile above the Liberty Cap rock formation to the junction of the Upper Liberty Cap trail and the Ute Canyon/Liberty Cap connector trail.
Hikers can still access the Lower Liberty Cap trail, the Ute Canyon/Liberty Cap connector trail and the Ute Canyon trail from the Wildwood trailhead. Hikers can also use the Upper Liberty Cap trail from the Rim Rock Drive trailhead to 1/10 of a mile before the Liberty Cap rock formation.
A reminder to trail users, in this same area Corkscrew Trail is still closed due to a significant rock fall. National Park Service staff are assessing the damage to determine what work is needed to re-open the trail.
Fall hours are now in effect at Colorado National Monument. The visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. For additional information please visit www.nps.gov/colm or call 970-858-3617, ext. 360.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
The closure is from 1/10 of a mile above the Liberty Cap rock formation to the junction of the Upper Liberty Cap trail and the Ute Canyon/Liberty Cap connector trail.
Hikers can still access the Lower Liberty Cap trail, the Ute Canyon/Liberty Cap connector trail and the Ute Canyon trail from the Wildwood trailhead. Hikers can also use the Upper Liberty Cap trail from the Rim Rock Drive trailhead to 1/10 of a mile before the Liberty Cap rock formation.
A reminder to trail users, in this same area Corkscrew Trail is still closed due to a significant rock fall. National Park Service staff are assessing the damage to determine what work is needed to re-open the trail.
Fall hours are now in effect at Colorado National Monument. The visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. For additional information please visit www.nps.gov/colm or call 970-858-3617, ext. 360.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Friday, November 2, 2018
Winter Weather Conditions Since Early October Hamper Search Efforts For Ryan Albert
On October 5, 2018, search efforts began in the Longs Peak area of Rocky Mountain National Park for Ryan Albert, 30, of Marlton, New Jersey. Albert was last seen on October 4, by another park visitor at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the area of Granite Pass heading toward the Keyhole on Longs Peak. Inclement weather that started on October 4, was the beginning of a multi-day weather pattern of extreme conditions including low visibility and fog, thunderstorms and snow showers and freezing temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Search teams faced pockets of deep snow as well as verglas ice. These winter conditions have lasted since the beginning of the search efforts.
During the first two days, in challenging weather and terrain, teams were able to search higher elevations including sections of the Boulder Field, the Keyhole Route, The Loft, Chasm Cirque, North Longs Peak and Boulder Brook. As the snow accumulation and ice continued to build at higher elevations, teams worked lower in the search area throughout the first week. On Friday, October 12, eight days after Albert was last seen, a break in the weather allowed aerial reconnaissance to take place. In addition to searchers looking from the helicopter, footage was taken of high probability areas. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members spent the next three days reviewing the extensive footage.
Another significant winter storm began late Saturday, October 13, bringing additional snow accumulation at higher elevations. On Thursday, October 18, through Saturday, October 20, teams went back to the upper mountain at the Keyhole and Ledges area and again faced continuing deteriorating conditions including waist and chest deep snow, steep icy slopes and extremely slow travel. Due to the conditions, they did not go further than The Ledges on the Keyhole Route. On Sunday, October 21, a team traveled to the Chasm Cirque area and visually searched Lamb’s Slide, Mills Glacier, Camel Gully and the Chasm View fall line with binoculars and spotting scopes.
Throughout the search efforts limited clues of Albert's whereabouts have been found. Heavy snow, ice and large boulders can hamper seeing important visual clues. Albert was reportedly wearing gray and black clothing.
Assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members has been Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue based in Boulder County, Trans Aero, Northern Colorado Interagency Helitack and Colorado Search and Rescue Board members. When conditions have allowed, dog teams from Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue and Front Range Search and Rescue Dogs have also assisted.
In the absence of additional clues combined with extreme winter conditions at higher elevations that will exist until late spring, we will have no active search operations during the winter months. We plan for search efforts to resume when the snow melts and conditions improve.
Ryan Albert is still a missing person and our investigation will continue in hopes of gaining further information as to his plans on the day of his disappearance. Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who may have had contact with Ryan Albert or have information on his planned route. Please call (970) 586-1204.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
During the first two days, in challenging weather and terrain, teams were able to search higher elevations including sections of the Boulder Field, the Keyhole Route, The Loft, Chasm Cirque, North Longs Peak and Boulder Brook. As the snow accumulation and ice continued to build at higher elevations, teams worked lower in the search area throughout the first week. On Friday, October 12, eight days after Albert was last seen, a break in the weather allowed aerial reconnaissance to take place. In addition to searchers looking from the helicopter, footage was taken of high probability areas. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members spent the next three days reviewing the extensive footage.
Another significant winter storm began late Saturday, October 13, bringing additional snow accumulation at higher elevations. On Thursday, October 18, through Saturday, October 20, teams went back to the upper mountain at the Keyhole and Ledges area and again faced continuing deteriorating conditions including waist and chest deep snow, steep icy slopes and extremely slow travel. Due to the conditions, they did not go further than The Ledges on the Keyhole Route. On Sunday, October 21, a team traveled to the Chasm Cirque area and visually searched Lamb’s Slide, Mills Glacier, Camel Gully and the Chasm View fall line with binoculars and spotting scopes.
Throughout the search efforts limited clues of Albert's whereabouts have been found. Heavy snow, ice and large boulders can hamper seeing important visual clues. Albert was reportedly wearing gray and black clothing.
Assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members has been Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue based in Boulder County, Trans Aero, Northern Colorado Interagency Helitack and Colorado Search and Rescue Board members. When conditions have allowed, dog teams from Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue and Front Range Search and Rescue Dogs have also assisted.
In the absence of additional clues combined with extreme winter conditions at higher elevations that will exist until late spring, we will have no active search operations during the winter months. We plan for search efforts to resume when the snow melts and conditions improve.
Ryan Albert is still a missing person and our investigation will continue in hopes of gaining further information as to his plans on the day of his disappearance. Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who may have had contact with Ryan Albert or have information on his planned route. Please call (970) 586-1204.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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