HomeMy WebLinkAbout820300.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF AD HOC COMMITTEE REGARDING PLOWING OF
GRASSLANDS IN WELD COUNTY AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, has been vested with the authority of administering
the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado has deemed it in the best interests of the citizens of
Weld County to establish an Ad Hoc committee to assist and
advise the Board regarding the plowing of grasslands in Weld
County, and
WHEREAS, said committee shall consist of representatives
from the six geographic districts in Weld County, and
WHEREAS, said committee shall be entitled "Plowing Grass-
lands Ad Hoc Committee" , and
WHEREAS, said committee shall include the following six
(6) members:
Frank Sucla
Charles Baumgartner
Bill Diehl
Dean Kanode
Bob Roth
Bill Bashor
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Plowing
Grasslands Ad Hoc Committee be, and hereby is, established
to assist and advise the Board regarding the plowing of
grasslands in Weld County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that said committee
shall be composed of the above named individuals as members.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly
made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 3rd
day of May, A.D. , 1982.
820300
Page 2
RE: Plowing Grasslands
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
it � / r/l 77 Job T. Martin, C irman
Y
��. ___
C- uck Carlson, ro Tem
Norman Carlson
C Kirby
`�}�� L/{�_- J K. teinmark
ATTEST: Ail�'^�'£""" ' t
WELD COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER
AND CLERK TO THE BOARD
C/ BYDC_
eputy Coun
APPRO AS TO ORM:
:71-421A—
County Attorney
DATE PRESENTED: MAY 5, 1982
A public hearing was conducted on May 18, 1982 at 10:00 A. M, with the
following present:
John Martin, Chairman
Chuck Carlson, Pro Tem
Norman Carlson, Commissioner, Absent
C.W. Kirby
June K. Steinmark
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Jeannette Ordway
County Attorney, Thomas 0. David
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated April 29, 1982, duly
published April 29, 1982, in the Johnstown Breeze and several newspapers
published across the entire county. The Chairman introduced Ordinance #108
and asked the County Attorney to read it into the record. During the reading
Commissioner N. Carlson joined the Board.Leo Berger was present and stated that
he is supporting said ordinance. He added that in his opinion the ordinance
is a little late. Edith Phillips was present and congratulated the Board
for said ordinance and requested that it be adopted. She added, however, it
is a little late for her. She commented on the condition and damage that her
property has already received. She demanded that the Board stop the speculators
that keep destroying Weld County lands. She again expressed her appreciation to
the Board. Del Northup stated that he appreciated the Board's efforts, but
questioned if the ordinance is for all of Weld County and further which Soil
Conservation Districts will be affected. He urged the Board to deny said
ordinance and questioned if bonding would not be a better solution. The
County Attorney stated the penalty outlined in the ordinance is the maximum
prescribed by law. Commissioner Steinmark stated that the ordinance will
cover the entire county and, further, that there are nine soil conservation
districts involved. Commissioner Steinmark added that a minimum number of
acres was considered and further that it be included in the ordinance. She
added that it was determined by the Ad Hoc Committee and the Board that acreages
not be included in the ordinance. Commissioner Kirby stated that the local
conservation district board members will be making the decisions. Ed
Richardson, Vice President for the Morgan Soil Conservation District, questioned
who will be issuing the permits. Commissioner Steinmark answered by stating
that the Commissioners will be mailing the permits to the landowners. Mr.
Richardson questioned what will happen to the conservation methods if the land
is sold. The County Attorney stated that the conservation measures will be
recorded and will stay with the land,not with the landowner. Mr. Richardson
stated that he does support the ordinance. Alvin Foster, a member of the West
Greeley Soil Conservation District, stated that this ordinance is an encroachment
on the freedom of Weld County farmers and ranchers. "There are too many permits
now,when will it end. If this ordinance is approved will it be amended to include
additional restrictions." He contended that this dust blowing problem is not that
great and the ordinance is not needed. He contended that farmers and ranchers
make management decisions daily and they know how to handle their lands; give
them some credit. He pleaded with the Board to deny the ordinance. Commissioner
N. Carlson stated that this ordinance is a preventative measure. Mr. Richardson
stated that this Board is trying to get to the speculator, but hurting the farmer
and rancher with the adoption of this ordinance. Stanley Klingensmith concurred
with Mr. Foster and asked the Board to deny said ordinance. He contended that
the farmer and rancher are losing their freedoms. He stated that there are
good and poor farmers. He stressed that all the ordinances in the world will
not keep the lands from blowing. He asked that the farmers and ranchers not be
restricted any further. Harold Sidwell stated that the ordinance should be
denied because it is not the answer. He contended that the ecomony is the
problem and that this ordinance will break the county and it will not stop the
lands from blowing. Robert Barnes supported the ordinance and added that Weld
County needs soil conservation measures. Mr. Norfeld from New Raymer, stated
that dust bowls would be better than the adoption of this ordinance. He
stressed that you can not defy nature and you should not go against nature.
He continued by stating that he opposed the ordinance because they do not need
any more regulations. Jack Wells agreed that the soils should be stopped from
blowing. Why should they continue to clean up dirt from ditches and fences.
Mr. Wells added that the wheat farmers should control their lands. He supported
the ordinance and stressed that it will not hurt the good farmers just the bad ones.
Wray Nickles asked that the Board not to take their rights away. If the
ordinance is approved what will happen next; how many more restrictions will there
be for the farmer and rancher. He asked the Board to study the ecomony.
Charles Craig stated that the ecomony has causal him to plow up grasslands and
to raise wheat. Before he could only graze one cow to thirty acres of grassland.
Now on the same property, he is raising a .good wheat crop. Commissioner C.
Carlson reviewed the ordinance procedure and does not think that it is asking
too much. Mr. Craig stressed that they do not want additional regulations.
Commissioner C. Carlson said that this Board must stop the speculator because
it hurts the next farmer or rancher. He added that there are nine soil conservation
districts involved with this ordinance. He added that the ranchers must think
beyond the plowing of grasslands, they should think ahead. He said that this
ordinance will protect all from the speculators and their practices. The ordinance
is not to be a detriment to anyone, stated Commissioner C. Carlson. The Chairman
announced that the Board of County Commissioners did not draft said ordinance
by themselves. They were assisted by the Ad Hoc Committee which consisted of
six residents appointed from each of the six geographic districts in Weld
County. The committee advised the Board and made recommendations. Doris
Williams commented on the bonding procedure suggestion made eariler. She
stated that it is a hard road with which to get favorable results. She thinks
that this ordinance will keep drastic things from happening. She favored the
ordinance and stressed that the blowing must stop somewhere. She elaborated on
the blowing in the Keota area. She totally supported the ordinance and agreed
that it will not hurt the good farmers or ranchers, it will weed out the
marjinal farmer. She reminded everyone that the ordinance does not have a
fee clause, which is good, and she feels that we can live with the ordinance.
Jeff Burwell, representing the Brighton Soil Conservation District, stated
that today we do not have any poor soil conservationists present, we just have
the good farmers and this ordinance will not hurt them. He supported the
ordinance and agreed that it will not hurt the good farmers. Clyde Abbott,
Vice Chairman for the Soil Conservation District, reminded everyone that they
do not get paid for their services when serving on a soil conservation district.
He agreed that we should have local control if we are going to have any controls
at all. He likes the ordinance and thinks that it is a modern method and we
should all come up to date. He supported the ordinance in total. Stow Witwer
said,'hre we not lucky to live in Weld County, to have an opportunity to participate
in this hearing procedurd: Mr. Witwer supported the ordinance,but feels it does not
go far enough, it should have included; that if these lands are broken up
they should have to be revegiated. In conclusion, he said that this ordinance
may eliminate the blowing of soils. David Barnes stated that many years ago
they learned the hard way to farm these soils. He commented on the formation
and need for the establishment of the soil conservation districts. The farmer
and rancher must learn the principles attached to their individual soil types.
He commented on several soil types and further what each will handle. He added
that conservation comes in packages it is not just a one step process. He
used several examples to make his point. In conclusion, he stated that he is
proud of the natives living on these properties, but, he warned that no farmer
or rancher should operate without a plan. Neil Magnuson questioned why he
should have to ask anyone what he can do with his land, he is the one paying the
taxes. He added that he is curious, if this ordinance is approved,what will
be the next restriction or permit process imposed on the landowner.
Tape change 82-34
Mr. Magnuson again stressed that they do not need additional controls.
Commissioner C. Carlson said that this Board does not want the ordinance amended
to contain additional controls or conditions. Rodney Wolfe, President of the
Morgan Soil Conservation District, questioned who will police the ordinance if
approved and who will collectthe fines. The County Attorney answered by saying
the County Court. Commissioner Steinmark reminded everyone that there is no
permit fee contained in said ordinance, the ordinance is for all types of soils
and for the entire county. Milton Baumgartner, President of the West Greeley
Soil Conservation Service, supported the ordinance with reservations. Stanley
Klingensmith stated that his soils have been determined submarginal and he
has proven that certain crops will grow which they said could not be done.
Commissioner Kirby reminded everyone that the soil conservation boards are
elected and he firmly believes that if this matter getsout of hand that it
will be controlled at a level other than local. Let's keep it at the local level.
Commissioner Kirby supported the ordinance in total. Bob Woods, representing
the Boulder Soil Conservation District, supported the ordinance. Commissioner
Page 2, May 18, 1982 (Certification on grasslands)
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