Conservation Action - Weigh in for Wildlife on the North Foothills Bikeway
Boulder County is seeking community feedback for the North Foothills Bikeway Project, a proposed 11-mile separated, hard-surface bikeway connecting Boulder and Lyons along US 36. The project aims to improve cyclist safety, connections, and access.
Your feedback in favor of wildlife protection is critical, especially for the Left Hand Canyon focus area. Review design options under consideration for each focus area and other project info here. See below for specific suggestions re: the Left Hand Canyon focus area and survey question 10 re: general ideas or feedback.
Be sure to fill out the online survey by midnight May 31!
Feedback is centered around four focus areas: South End, Neva Road, Left Hand Canyon, and Ute Hwy/CO 66. One option for the Left Hand Canyon crossing would impact riparian habitat and wildlife connectivity and movement by crossing under the bridge at Left Hand Creek. You can help protect this important wildlife movement corridor by choosing the At-Grade crossing option for Left Hand Canyon, which would avoid these wildlife impacts. This option is also more direct, comes with minimal cost, and avoids potential closure during high water events.
For Survey Question 10 re: "any general ideas or feedback" here are two points worth mentioning for wildlife protection:
Emphasize the importance of prioritizing wildlife crossings of all sizes and types during bikeway design, including crossings identified for the US 36 Wildlife Crossings Project. The WIldlife Crossings Project covers the portion of the bikeway from Left Hand Canyon Drive north to Highway 36.
Emphasize the importance of permeability for wildlife for the entire bikeway. Road ecologists are studying the entire bikeway for permeability for all sizes and types of wildlife. The bikeway will include physical barriers, and for animals who can't go over the barriers, it is critical that they be able to cross through or under.
The Boulder County Audubon Society leadership thanks the members of the BCAS Conservation Committee for their time and efforts in helping educate and advocate for Boulder County’s birds, wildlife, and their habitats. If you are interested in joining this effort, or any other BCAS committees, please contact us.