HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-25 Public Comment - M. Filloux - re_ trail work to begin on Peets Hill - please delay.From:marfilloux@gmail.com
To:Bozeman Public Comment; info@gvlt.org
Subject:[EXTERNAL]re: trail work to begin on Peets Hill - please delay.
Date:Thursday, May 22, 2025 1:24:01 PM
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Dear City Commissioners and GVLT,
With this letter I would like to encourage you to delay construction on trail reconstructions in
partnership with GVLT. First of all thank you for your partnership on spearheading andbuilding our wonderful trail system in Bozeman. It is a true asset to all including the plants
and animals that inhabit and make the trails what they are.
As a frequent and long time user of the vast network that makes up the Mainstreet to theMountains trail system, I was excited to hear that the plethora of meandering trails would be
consolidated into fewer and wider corridors with an aim to protect the environments throughwhich they pass and create a more enjoyable and safe environment for all users (including the
birds.)
With all that in mind I am grateful that the Bozeman Trail Coalition alerted me today that thetiming of the construction will negatively impact nesting birds. As it is GVLT's mission to
"connect people, communities, and open lands through the conservation of working
farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat, and the creation of trails in the
Montana headwaters of the Missouri and Upper Yellowstone Rivers." I wouldencourage waiting trial construction until it is safe for the wildlife. I realize this isinconvenient but it is the right and legal thing to do. see below for Federal and State laws.
Thank you very much for reading this letter and taking into consideration of the impacts ofyour decision both in its tangible effect on the birds that share our city and as a model ofsensible action for others.
Warm regards,Marianne Filloux
*Federal and State laws regarding bird nests and killing of birds: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 linksbelow.https://www.fws.gov/law/migratory-bird-treaty-act-1918https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0870/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0010/0870-0050-0020-0010.html