Meeting packet available at boco.org/CroplandPolicy

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff has published an updated revised transition plan for genetically-engineered crops on Boulder County-owned open space agricultural lands. The updated proposal has been modified based upon feedback from the public and additional considerations. The changes to the updated plan are outlined in the staff memo. To view the Proposed Revised Transition Plan, dated May 30, along with the staff memo and a compendium of public comments, visit boco.org/CroplandPolicy.

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will host a public hearing for Monday, June 3, to consider and take action on a proposed amendment to the transition plan for genetically-engineered (GE) (aka genetically-modified, or GM) crops on Boulder County-owned agricultural open space lands. In addition to the online public comment period that ended on May 29, community stakeholders are welcome to attend and provide testimony during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

The goal of the revised plan is to provide farm-specific solutions for the county’s broad-acre tenants seeking to make the transition off GE crops. At a public hearing hosted by the BOCC on May 7, Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff presented the proposed revised transition plan as part of a summary of efforts to facilitate the transition away from GM crops and associated pesticide use.

Staff demonstrated how the proposed revised transition timeline, paired with an investment in the development of farm-specific plans emphasizing soil health, would help foster a more robust opportunity for long-term tenants to make the transition more successfully.

Public comments are a valuable component of the decision-making process. Testimony provided at the May 7 and June 3 public meetings, as well as written comments submitted online will help the BOCC make an informed decision on the proposed amendment to the transition plan.

• Public Hearing – 4 p.m., Monday, June 3 The Boulder County Commissioners will consider public comments received over a four-week period and deliberate on the proposed plan. Additional public comment will be taken at this hearing. The hearing will be web-streamed and archived on the Open Meeting Portal.

The public hearing will be held in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room at the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street, 3rd floor, in Boulder.

To view the Proposed Revised Transition Plan and view additional background information and history, visit boco.org/CroplandPolicy