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Action
League of Women Voters Jeffco Questions Jefferson Parkway Plan
(Appeared on www.denverpost.com on May 21, 2010)Smart twenty-first century transportation planning meets the multiple goals of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County has studied the proposed Jefferson Parkway toll road – with one terminus at the Interlocken Business Park and the other at Colorado 93 north of Golden – and questions whether these goals can be met.
The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority was formed to complete the Denver metro area beltway after the Colorado Department of Transportation was unable to raise funds and come to agreement about the project’s construction. Although funding for the toll road itself will come from private investors, the Jefferson Parkway proposal could be a big ticket item for future taxpayers. Estimated costs for area governmental entities and the Colorado Department of Transportation range from $330 million to more than $500 million. The money will be needed to construct the interchanges to access both the north and south ends of the toll road. So Coloradans will assume both that tax liability and a toll to traverse a 10-mile stretch of road that parallels existing roads.
The Authority’s plan includes a right-of-way on the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. We have requested that the U.S. Department of the Interior require the preparation of a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to update management strategies for the impacts of that transportation easement that were not known when the original EIS was written for the Refuge. Additionally, new information is needed for the impacts of new proposals for commercial and residential developments on the east, south and west boundaries of the Refuge. Without the supplemental EIS, we will not know how the latest development plans would impact wildlife habitat and corridors, scenic vistas, air quality and noise…all important considerations for a viable, sustainable refuge environment.
We are very concerned that the public interest will not be served if a “non-compete” clause were included in a contract with a private developer. There is precedent for this. The Northwest Parkway Public Highway Authority’s 99-year lease allows the concessionaire to be compensated if road improvements on the arterials lower toll road use, and thus revenues. Could a similar clause preclude, for example, the building of a light rail line between Golden and Boulder or Interlocken?
For the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, public transparency is of the utmost importance so that citizens can judge whether we should be building a parkway that does not complete the metro area beltway, and for which there may be more practical alternatives.
Sixty years ago our nation saw roads as paths to prosperity, and that might have been right for the time. Today, however, we should not be encouraging more driving, more congestion, more sprawl, and further stresses on ecosystems and human health. Smart, sustainable transportation planning recognizes the interdependence of economic
ecological and social impacts. It minimizes economic costs, supports a choice of travel modes, and protects the public’s long-term priorities.
March 2010
LETTER TO SALAZAR, USFWS ACTING DIRECTOR, STRICKLAND, SHAFROTH re Jefferson Parkway proposal impact on RefugeThe Jefferson County League of Women Voters is concerned about the sustainability of the proposed Jefferson Parkway, including the request by the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority for a right-of-way on the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge.
We define sustainability as support for a way of life which seeks to balance environmental, economic and human needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet that same goal.
We request that a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be required before a right-of-way is approved to update management strategies for the impacts of that transportation easement. Additionally, new information is needed for the impacts of proposed commercial and residential developments on the east, south and west boundaries of the Refuge that were not known when the original Environmental Impact Statement was written. We believe that the latest development plans would impact wildlife habitat and corridors, scenic vistas, air quality and noise…all important considerations for a viable, sustainable refuge environment.
We would appreciate your letting us know the answers to these questions:
Will a supplemental EIS be required for the Refuge?
Will The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority be required to prepare an EIS?
What kind of federal permits will be required regarding possible wetlands and cultural impacts?The League of Women Voters only takes action on issues for which we have conducted extensive research before our members adopt consensus-based positions. It is because the large majority of our members so value the national refuge system that we would very much appreciate your attention to the concerns expressed above.
Sincerely,
Gwen Lipkie, President
League of Women Voters of Jefferson CountyLetters were also sent to Senator Udall and Senator Bennett asking for their support.
February 2010
Statement by League of Women Voters of Jefferson County to The City of LakewoodThe League of Women Voters (LWV) has studied and developed positions on many governmental issues which are relevant to a sustainable community. We define sustainability as support for a way of life, which seeks to balance environmental, economic and human needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet that same goal. Sustainability encompasses individual households, neighborhoods, local towns and cities, states and nations. It encompasses environmental concerns, economic concerns and human needs. A number of the goals stated in Article 1 of the Zoning regulations document are shared with LWV. The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County asks you to consider this input as you review the zoning regulations of Lakewood.
The urban policy of LWV is to promote the economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life. Following are some of the positions which could support this.
· A housing supply which insures a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family
· Support of an integrated, total county approach to planning which provides for the diverse needs of the members of the community while ensuring environmental quality.
· There should be implementation of noise standards by local governments with adequate funding for enforcement.
· Measures to reduce pollution from mobile and stationary sources should be included in community planning.
· The administration and maintenance of public lands including parks, open space, and schools should be provided.
· Provision should also be made for community and neighborhood commercial centers, civic and cultural centers, industrial parks, and transportation corridors.
· Strip zoning should be discouraged. Service roads should be provided to limit access into major thoroughfares. Provisions should be made for off-street parking.
Natural Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health.
· To preserve air quality a balanced transportation system is needed which helps improve mobility and quality of life for all residents. Consideration must be given to safety, access and availability.
· Energy goals and policies should include the use of energy-efficient technologies. LWV supports environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of renewable resources.
· We support measures to reduce pollution in order to protect surface water, groundwater and drinking water.
Land use should be modified or regulated (i.e., slash removal, floodplain zoning) to ensure the safety of the inhabitants and to protect the environment.
· Development projects should be environmentally sound, and should be in compliance with all federal and state environmental laws. Controls should be established for the Planned Development category.
· The League supports diversified types and densities of housing in well-planned developments. Also shelters and transitional housing as emergency and short term housing measures with emphasis on assisting people in becoming self-sufficient should be allowed.
· Criteria for decisions should take into account the quality of life and provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of citizens, present and future. Long range ecological effects have greater importance than short range problems.
· Zoning resolutions and maps should be updated periodically based on the comprehensive plan.
· Regulatory powers should be limited to the planning commission and/or the local governmental unit. Powers of the boards of adjustment should be limited to variances of accepted uses in the Zoning Resolution.
· Understandable terminology should be used.
· Newspapers should be encouraged to publish planning and zoning information.
· Hearings should be scheduled at a time convenient to the greatest number of people.
· The Comprehensive Plan should be followed unless there is a change in conditions or a fault or weakness in the plan.
PRESS RELEASE / Letter to Editor
October 20, 2009LWV Jeffco Supports a YES Vote on Question 1A and 1B
The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County (LWVJeffco) encourages voters to vote in favor of Jefferson County Ballot Questions 1A and 1B, which if passed would increase the term limits from two terms to three terms for District Attorney of the First Judicial District and the offices of Sheriff, Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Coroner and Surveyor of Jefferson County.
The League of Women Voters opposes term limits based on the grounds that such limits adversely affect the accountability, representativeness and effective performance of our elected officials. Given that in Colorado we do impose term limits, the Board of Directors of LWV Jeffco voted to support the increase of term limits for these offices from two terms to three terms. We believe that given the special training and skills that the District Attorney and other county offices require that Ballot Questions 1A and 1B will provide the voters a greater choice when selecting the candidates that they feel would best represent them. We firmly believe that the election process is the best method to remove ineffective elected official from office.
LWVJeffco support a Yes Vote on Questions 1A and 1B.
Don’t forget to vote and return your mail–in ballot to the Jefferson County Elections Division by Election Day November 3rd.
Gwen Lipkie, President
League of Women Voters of Jefferson County
Global Climate Change
July 14, 2009
The Honorable Michael Bennet The Honorable Mark Udall
792 Hart Senate Office Building B40E Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, D. C. 20510 Washington, D. C. 20510Dear Senator Bennet: Dear Senator Udall:
The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County is writing to ask that you support strong action against global climate change. Based on the best available science, we urge you to support a cap on greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2020 that is at least 20 percent below 1990 levels, without loopholes that will undermine the cap. We also ask that you support a cap for the year 2050 that is 80-100 percent below 1990 emissions.
Ever since the Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, the League of Women Voters has supported efforts to make the United States a world leader in combating global warming and in seeking negotiated, fair reduction in reducing greenhouse gases. League believes that global warming is a serious problem that requires immediate action.
Since the House of Representatives just passed the American Clear Energy and Security Act of 2009, we hope that you, as one of our U. S. Senators, will support strong climate change legislation. The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County requests that you support a firm limit, or cap, on greenhouse gas emissions. The cap must decline over time to meet pollution-reduction goals based on the best scientific information. Establishing the declining cap, based on science and without loopholes, is the single most important issue in climate change and energy legislation.
An effective control program must avoid loopholes or any weakening mechanisms that undermine or make the cap unattainable, such as unenforceable offsets or “cost containment” provisions that would allow sources to continue emissions at dangerous levels. We hope that you agree that is our nation’s responsibility to take immediate action to curb the environmental damages we are already experiencing from greenhouse gas emissions, as well as those that threaten the future vitality of the Earth.
Thank you for your consideration of our request for support for strong action against global climate change.
Sincerely,
Gwen Lipkie, President
League of Women Voters of Jefferson County
Open Space
OPEN SPACE IN JEOPARDYArvada officials in conjunction with developers have petitioned the Jefferson County Commissioners to build a 1.5 million gallon water tank and a pump station on two lots of Jeffco open space near the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon. The Jeffco League has sent a letter opposing this petition to the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) and Commissioners. The letter is posted below:August 21, 2007Open Space Advisory CommitteeOf Jefferson CountyDear Committee Members;The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County opposes the petition to construct the water tank and pump station on Jeffco Open Space near the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon.The League’s position on land use states “that we support land-use planning that reflects conservation and wise management of resources.” This petition does not reflect conservation as it uses two lot sizes to construct a private use facility on open space. This petition is not a wise management of resources as the long term maintenance of this facility will become the responsibility of the Jefferson County taxpayers.Additional LWV positions on land use firmly state “that growth should not take place faster than services and infrastructure can be provided nor exceed the resources of the community. Development of Colorado’s natural resources and recreational areas should emphasize environmental protection and reclamation. Scenic vistas and other open space should be protected.” This proposed use of open space is not sound; clearly it would overuse resources currently available in that specific area. Reclamation should be the focus, not gifting our open space to developers.In conclusion, the members of League of Women Voters of Jefferson County strongly request that the OSAC advise the County Commissioners to deny this petition. Our membership supports an integrated, total county approach to planning which provides for diverse needs of the community while ensuring environmental quality. Please partner with us in protecting our limited open space.Sincerely,Catherine PerronePresident, LWV of Jefferson Countycc: Jefferson County Commissioners
