HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-25 Public Comment - Bozeman Tree Coalition - UPF Board 5_22_25 meeting_ general comment_ Peets Hill- new trail construction_nesting seasonFrom:BozemanTreeCoalition
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Chuck Winn; Terry Cunningham; Alex Nordquest; Addi Jadin; Mitchell Overton
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UPF Board 5/22/25 meeting: general comment: Peets Hill- new trail construction/nesting season
Date:Thursday, May 22, 2025 11:55:50 AM
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Dear UPF Board members, City Manager, Mayor Cunningham-
It has recently come to the attention of members of the public and the Bozeman Tree Coalition(BTC) that GVLT has begun trail construction on the Peets Hill Burke Park Traverse Trail
which will go through existing aspen groves and other wildlife habitat on the side of PeetsHill.
BTC is writing to ask you to urgently advocate for GVLT to cease all trail construction
activity until they have consulted with Sacajawea Audubon Society and can verify that no birdnesting sites will be disturbed and to ask SAS for their opinion on the value of bird habitat in
this area.
Federal and State laws prohibit the taking of nests at all times without appropriate permits.Cutting and/or bulldozing trees in the area of the trail will likely violate these laws.
Furthermore, birds and other wildlife may abandon their nesting sites due to the trailconstruction at this time of year. For more details about federal and state laws, follow the links
below.https://www.fws.gov/law/migratory-bird-treaty-act-1918
https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0870/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0010/0870-0050-0020-0010.html
Postponing trail construction will also allow additional time for Bozeman residents to discuss
with GVLT and the City of Bozeman whether or not enhancements to this trail (referencedover 20 years ago in the 2003 Burke Park Master Plan) is still warranted or desired by the
general public at this time given other environmental and development pressures the City isExperiencing.
Although GVLT states on their website that, "Burke Park/Peets Hill lovers can look forward to
yet another enhancement to “Bozeman’s Central Park.” , there are also Burke Park/Peets Hilllovers that look forward to better wildlife protections and smaller trails where they can enjoy
activities such as birdwatching.
Thank you for your consideration on this urgent matter.
Bozeman Tree Coalition