City of Loveland
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Eagle Vista is closed until the site is developed for public access.
FINAL EAGLE VISTA NATURAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
BACKGROUND
Eagle Vista Natural Area is a 185-acre Open Land site in southwest Loveland near Ryan Gulch Reservoir. The property was acquired in 2016 by the City of Loveland with funding assistance from Larimer County and the Town of Berthoud. The site conserves important wildlife habitat and a connection for the Colorado Front Range Trail between Loveland and Berthoud. The land includes upland prairie, mature trees, riparian vegetation along irrigation ditches, and wetland drainages. This diversity provides important wildlife habitat and movement corridors for large and small mammals, songbirds, raptors, reptiles and amphibians.
In July 2021, the city contracted with ERO Resources, a natural resources and environmental consultant, to develop a management plan for the property based on current conditions, opportunities and constraints offered by the diverse land types and resources.
ERO staff surveyed and evaluated the site and existing baseline data, researched many possible scenarios, and consulted with the City of Loveland, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Loveland Open Lands and Trails Advisory Commission to develop proposed resource management strategies and identify public access opportunities.
A public meeting for the Eagle Vista Natural Area management plan was held on November 8, 2021. Display boards presented information about the site such as existing resources, habitats, opportunities, challenges, and a preferred plan. Presentation materials are available online. Public review and input were solicited at the open house-style meeting and email comments were accepted until November 30, 2021.
Update 2.23.22: The Eagle Vista Management Plan is on hold while possible alternatives are considered and evaluated for feasibility, and pending approvals from other agencies. The final draft Eagle Vista Management Plan will be published online for public comment when it is finalized. Comments will be accepted via email for 2 weeks following the date of posting and will be considered in the final document. The plan will then be presented to the Open Lands Advisory Commission for final review and recommendation to the Parks & Recreation Director for approval.
Update 1.3.24: The Final Draft Eagle Vista Management Plan is now available for review and comment. Based on public input received on the initial draft plan, extensive evaluation of possible alternatives, and meetings with stakeholders and other interested parties, the draft plan has been revised for final public review. The management plan includes a vision for public access, trails, land conservation, restoration and management of important habitats and corridors.
Update 1.22.24: The comment period has closed for the final draft management plan. Comments were accepted until January 21, 2024. Feedback received will be considered in the final review by the Open Lands and Trails Advisory Commission at their February 14, 2024 meeting. Thank you for your input.
Update 2.13.24: The Eagle Vista Natural Area Management Plan will be considered by the Open Lands and Trails Advisory Commission on February 14, 2024, for a recommendation to the Parks & Recreation Director for adoption. This updated plan includes comments received on the Final Draft during the public comment period, responses to comments, page references, and red-lined changes to the text.
Update 3.7.24: The Open Lands and Trails Advisory Commission recommended the Eagle Vista Natural Area Management Plan for approval at their February 14, 2024 meeting. The Parks & Recreation Director has approved the Final Plan, which incorporates public comments received on the Final Draft.