Laserfiche WebLink
<br />As discussed elsewhere in this chapter, land use suitability, natural resource sensitivity and recreational <br />amenities must be considered in determining appropriate locations for access points, facility development and <br />other actions that influence the level of recreational use. <br /> <br />Land Use ~ <br />The YRMP should be compatible with other City plans <br />and land use goals, and should address new development <br />occurring adjacent to the river. Achieving this compatibility <br />is complicated by the variety of land uses located along <br />the river. In many places, existing land use is compatible <br />with current recreational uses, In other areas, such as <br />residential areas, conflicts from noise and trespassing occur <br />during peak use periods, Land use conflicts also result from <br />heavy use around highly popular areas, such as some of the <br />"play holes" where crowding and parking problems have Vicw toward Tree Haus Subdivison <br />cmerged, <br /> <br /> <br />Other issues have resulted from the continuation of development along the river, In some areas, adjacent <br />land uses have resulted in the channelization of the Yampa River and a reduction of the adjacent floodplain, <br />wetland and riparian areas, Though federal regulations prohibit the destruction of wetlands, current City <br />regulations do not limit development in riparian and floodplain areas, provided the building is elevated above <br />the base flood level and the required 50-foot setback is maintained, <br /> <br />Aquatic Habitat ~ <br />In much of the study area, the natural condition of the <br />Yampa River has been dramatically altered from its natural <br />state. Channelization, riprap, diversions, dams and other <br />man-made features have altered the hydrological regime <br />of the river and its floodplain, affecting both aquatic and <br />terrestrial habitat <br /> <br /> <br />As development in the study area continues, threats to water <br />quality increase, Non-point sources, such as stormwater, <br />presently enter directly into the river, Floodplain areas City-owned open space on far bank <br />that act as a filtering system for the river continue to be <br />lost In addition, a number of tributary drainages converge within the study area. Upstream uses along these <br />drainages influence water quality in the Yampa, Finally, natural and accelerated erosion continues along the <br />banks of the Yampa, adding sediment and further reducing water quality. <br /> <br /> <br />A M 1\ 0 AI <br /> <br />';rl\INCS <br /> <br />C () I. (; l\. /\ D 0 <br /> <br />Terrestrial Habitat Y <br />The protection and enhancement ofthe natural environment <br />along the river is a primary planning objective, The <br />impact of increasing recreation levels on the river's natural <br />environment is slowly becoming apparent Informal <br />trails, invasive weeds, trash, dog feces and human activity, <br />including residential and recreational development, affect <br />the habitat of the river. The level and extent of human <br />activity may also affect sensitive wildlife habitats that <br />support a wide variety of species, including big game <br />and small game species, as well as numerous non-game High water in spring time above City <br />amphibian, mammal and bird species, including critical <br />raptor nesting and roosting sites. <br /> <br /> <br />o <br /><:::;) <br />o <br />c..:> <br />c:..n ' <br />..' <br /> <br />III. Planning Objectives <br /> <br />To guide development of the plan, the following planning objectives were defined: <br /> <br />1. Provide an enjoyable and safe experience for all river users <br /> <br />Establish appropriate levels and distribution of public and commercial use, <br />Improve access points along the river. <br />. Educate river users about appropriate use and safety, <br />Provide opportunities for a variety of recreational experiences, <br /> <br />2. Conserve and enhance the natural habitat along the river <br /> <br />Improve water quality in the river, <br />Conserve and restore important aquatic and terrestrial habitats, <br />Manage fish populations and control undesirable fish species in the river as per Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife (CDOW) guidance, <br />Preserve, promote and improve the diversity of native vegetation, and encourage the re-establishment of <br />native plant communities through the control of exotic plant species, particularly invasive weeds. <br />Preserve and enhance the water quality and quantity of tributaries and other flows into the Yampa River, <br />Promote the education of public and users about the values of conservation and enhancement of natural <br />habitat along the river. <br /> <br />3. Establish a monitoring program to continuously evaluate the health of the river corridor <br /> <br />Establish indicators and standards to monitor the condition and quality of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, <br /> <br />CHArTER <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />T II L <br /> <br />VI <br /> <br />U N <br />