Boulder County commissioners have voted to temporarily halt a controversial plan to use drones for applying herbicide over 800 acres of open space. The decision, reached in a 2-1 vote last week, follows significant opposition from local farmers and residents concerned about the potential environmental impact.
The proposed spraying at the Red Hill Open Space was intended to combat invasive cheatgrass, a major contributor to wildfire risk. However, a wave of community feedback prompted a majority of the commissioners to call for a pause to explore alternative solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Boulder County commissioners voted 2-1 to pause a drone herbicide application plan for the 800-acre Red Hill Open Space.
- The plan was met with strong opposition from local agricultural producers and residents over concerns about soil health and food production.
- The herbicide application was designed to control invasive cheatgrass, which increases wildfire risk.
- Commissioners Marta Loachamin and Ashley Stolzmann voted for the pause, citing the need for more information on alternatives. Commissioner Claire Levy voted against it.
Community Concerns Force a Reassessment
The decision to pause the herbicide application did not come lightly. It was the direct result of a significant volume of communication from concerned citizens, particularly those involved in local agriculture. Farmers and residents voiced fears about the long-term effects of the proposed chemicals on soil health, seed germination, and the delicate process of post-fire ecosystem recovery.
Commissioner Marta Loachamin, who voted in favor of the pause, highlighted the weight of this public feedback. She noted it wasn't just the sheer number of emails but the specific, thoughtful questions being raised about the plan's potential impact on local food production and farming operations.
"It’s not just the hundreds of emails, but it’s some of the questions that people are having in regards to the concerns around food production and the farms," Loachamin stated during the meeting.
Her vote, along with that of Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, created the majority needed to halt the project. They have requested that county staff gather more information on potential alternatives before any further action is taken.
The Original Plan to Combat Wildfire Risk
The now-paused initiative was developed by Boulder County Parks and Open Space to address a serious ecological threat: invasive cheatgrass. This non-native grass spreads rapidly, outcompeting native plants and creating a monoculture that is highly flammable.
Stefan Reinold, the Deputy Director of Land Stewardship for the county, explained that cheatgrass dries out much earlier in the season than native vegetation. This creates a continuous bed of fine fuel that can dramatically increase the speed and intensity of wildfires, a critical concern for communities in the wildland-urban interface.
Why Target Cheatgrass?
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an invasive annual grass that poses a dual threat. Ecologically, it displaces native grasses and wildflowers, reducing biodiversity. From a safety perspective, its early-drying nature makes it a primary carrier of fire across landscapes, significantly elevating wildfire danger in the regions it dominates.
The plan involved using two herbicides, Rejuvra (indaziflam) and Plateau, applied by certified drone operators. Opponents specifically raised alarms about indaziflam, which can prevent all seeds from germinating for several years. They argued this could unintentionally hinder the natural regrowth of desirable native plants, especially in an area recovering from past fires.
Logistical Challenges at Red Hill
County officials stressed that the choice of drone application was a matter of safety and logistics. The terrain at the Red Hill Open Space, located west of U.S. 36 near Hygiene, is steep and rugged. According to Reinold, this makes traditional methods like tractor spraying or manual application too dangerous for personnel.
Proposed Drone Operation Details
- Altitude: Drones were to fly at 12 feet or lower.
- Speed: Operations would be conducted at slow, controlled speeds for precise application.
- Buffer Zone: A minimum buffer of 660 feet from all residences was required.
Other methods were also considered and ruled out. Goat grazing was deemed unsuitable due to the presence of a vulnerable bighorn sheep population in the area. Officials determined that cattle grazing would not be effective enough to significantly reduce the cheatgrass density.
A Divided Commission and an Uncertain Future
The 2-1 vote reveals a division among the commissioners on how to balance expert recommendations with public sentiment. Commissioner Claire Levy cast the dissenting vote, arguing against the delay. She expressed her frustration with what she sees as the unchecked spread of cheatgrass across mountain landscapes, turning them into fire-prone monocultures.
Levy voiced concern that pausing the scientifically vetted plan in search of a hypothetical, unproven alternative was the wrong course of action.
"To say that we’re not gonna do [the application] because maybe, maybe, maybe there’s something we haven’t thought of, I just think is wrong," Levy remarked, underscoring her support for the original proposal.
Conversely, Commissioner Loachamin requested more detailed information on runoff patterns, the specific terrain in question, and a deeper exploration of alternatives. She was particularly moved by offers from residents to volunteer for manual removal efforts, suggesting a potential for community-based solutions that had not been fully explored.
For now, the drones remain grounded. County staff are tasked with returning to the commissioners with a more comprehensive analysis of other options. The future of cheatgrass management at Red Hill will depend on whether an alternative can be found that satisfies both ecological goals and the pressing concerns of the Boulder County community.