NCA hears about Community Wildfire Protection Plan

The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting April 5 at the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station. Keith Long, Assistant Chief for Special Operations in the Mountain View Fire Protection District (MVFPD), gave a presentation on the new Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) that is being developed under MVFPD leadership.

Long has 42 years in service and was a Type 1 incident commander on the Marshall Fire. The goal of the CWPP is to create a planning document with input from the local fire district, government agencies, the state forestry office, Xcel Energy, Denver Water, the railroad and many other organizations.

The CWPP is requesting input from the Niwot community, and the NCA has a representative participating in this work. The CWPP will do computer modeling and quantitative analysis in order to develop strategies for responding to wildfires. Models will be tailored to the time of year and the types of natural fuels and other materials that could burn.

The first CWPP meeting was held on March 24 and was attended by NCA board member Kathy Koehler. Public meetings are planned in order to communicate with the community. The NCA and other organizations may apply for grants for local safety projects. Long said that they will have a map specific to Niwot soon, with a goal to complete the project in nine months, to be revisited every two years. The next CWPP meeting will be held in June and will focus on communities, including Niwot.

The board opened the meeting to questions after the conclusion of the presentation. Long stated that water resources available in Niwot for fighting fires will be expanded in the future. Concern about Boulder County’s management of open space grasslands was raised. The CWPP plans to determine whether mowing or other methods will be implemented by the county to address this issue.

Koehler reported that her contact information had disappeared from the county’s emergency contact. Community members are encouraged to verify their entries in the database.

President David Limbach then reported on a meeting held with high school officials regarding the advertising banners on the new track and field facility fencing facing Niwot Road. Niwot High School Principal Eric Rauschkolb described the importance of this fundraising effort to meet the school’s $50,000 goal. The NCA has received some negative community input about the appearance of the banners. Board member Pat Murphy said that Rauschkolb will speak at the next Niwot Community Connection (NCC) meeting at the Left Hand Grange on April 13 starting at 10 a.m.

The NCA will continue working on the protection of the mural in the underpass under Niwot Road. Volunteers completed most of the work last year. The remaining work will be completed during some weekend gatherings this year.

The annual meeting of the NCA will take place at the Left Hand Grange on April 19 starting at 7 p.m. A representative of the Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department will give a presentation on the CO 119 Safety and Mobility projects, including the Diagonal Bikeway. Elections will be held for officers and board members of the NCA.

Several annual events organized by the NCA are coming up soon including Niwot Clean Up Day on May 20. The second annual Slepicka Tractor Show planning is well under way and is planned for June 10. The Fourth of July Parade planning has begun and emails have gone out to past participants inviting them to join in again.

The NCA membership drive is also underway. The NCA is making a special effort to reach out to past members to encourage them to renew their membership. NCA members and the public are welcome to attend NCA monthly board meetings. If you wish to speak or want a specific issue discussed, please contact the NCA board at least one week in advance of the meeting to be included on the agenda. Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Mountain View Fire Protection District Firehouse #4 (8500 Niwot Rd.) in Niwot.