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OCT- 2-96 WED 11 : 17 NATURAL HALAHUH UEN I EN r Hx NU. JUXda e i 5 l <br /> University of Colorado at BoulderI� <br /> Institute of Behav(on1 science <br /> Campus Box 482 --J--- <br /> Boulder, Colorado 80309.04V <br /> (303)492-6311 <br /> 30 September 1996 <br /> Roderic Park <br /> Office of the Chancellor <br /> Campus Box 17 <br /> Dear Chancellor Park; <br /> Because of overseas travel I have not been able until the past weekend to study with . <br /> care the several documents prepared for the University on the lain Analyses and <br /> Reclamation Plan for the Flatirons Property on August 12, 1996. I also have had an <br /> opportunity to look at materials on the subject by the City of Boulder technical staff and-to- <br /> talk with various concerned citizens and with State and Federal officials. <br /> I suspect that you already have more than enough expression of opinion and technical <br /> judgment on these matters as you report to the President and Board of Regents, but you may <br /> be interested in the comment of one retired Faculty member who has dealt with similar <br /> problems in Boulder and nation-wide for a good many decades, <br /> The problem is very complicated by the past drastic changes in the floodplain terrain, <br /> and by the inadequacy of earlier studies. In my judgment, the University does not have <br /> enough solid analysis of various aspects of the situation to wan2nt taking any action until <br /> after further, careful studies have been completed. For example, the conclusion of the <br /> University's consultants that 'it would be in the best interests of all parties to have the berm <br /> on the Flatirons Property certified as a FEMA approved flood protection levee" (p.24) is <br /> made without consultation with all parties and consideration of all environmental aspects. It <br /> would be unfortunate if the University were to press ahead on the basis of incomplete and <br /> possibly flawed study. <br /> It seems ironic that when national policy and the thrust of scientific research and <br /> teaching are in the direction of avoiding fi)rther invasion and development of wetland <br /> ecosystems, the University should be taking such action. <br /> I <br />