HomeMy WebLinkAbout20051634.tiff CALPINEI)F131 fl OFFICE
I 4160 DI RI IA MR I ENARD St IFF: 150
Ill RUN.CALIFORNIA 9436R-3139
NMI II __. 02.5.47.9.6600
LC .) 92.5.479.7300(r ex)
May 3, 2005
Commissioner Robert Masden
Weld County Board of Commissioners
915 10th Street
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Re: Status of Conservation Easement
Rocky Mountain Energy Center
Dear Commissioner Masden;
I thought it would be appropriate to inform the Weld County Board of Commissioners of
Calpine's efforts to date relating to the proposed conservation easement adjacent to the
Rocky Mountain Energy Center ("RMEC").
As you are aware. Calpine is committed to preserving Weld County's strong agricultural
heritage, and continues to seek to place a conservation easement or a trust on a significant
portion of the land surrounding the RMEC whereby providing a buffer between existing
residents and the industrial/commercial development occurring adjacent to the municipal
limits of the Town of Hudson. To date, Calpine has contacted five non-profit
organizations including the Colorado Department of Wildlife, Colorado Open Lands,
Calpine Foundation, Boulder Conservation Fund, and the American Farmland Trust. The
first three aforementioned organizations have declined our offer of land for a variety of
reasons. Calpine continues to await a reply from the American Farmland Trust to our
letter dated April 5, 2005, and remains hopeful that their charter and decision making
process will allow them to accept our donation. Should the American Farmland Trust
decline our offer, we shall then pursue further discussions with the Boulder Conservation
Fund.
During the time that we continue to pursue the effectuation of the conservation casement,
we remain contractually committed to a long-term lease for agricultural use on the
property.
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I appreciate Weld County's patience while we continue to pursue a conservation
easement, and I will keep the Board of Supervisors' apprised of our diligent efforts to
preserve existing farmland and environmentally sensitive areas surrounding the RMEC.
Sincerely,
ames Hines, CCIM
Director, Land
Western Regional Office
Cc: M. Daniels, Weld County Planning Department
K. Morton, Calpine Corp.
J. Gooding, Calpine Corp.
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