Environmental Planning and Information

The Environmental Planning and Information program provides administrative, project management, research and policy development, and public information support to a variety of environmental protection functions of several City departments. These include:

• Administrative support, management direction, and customer service for all Natural Resources Department programs.
• Liaison and administrative support for the Natural Resources Advisory Board and Air Quality Advisory Board, staff to the Legislative and Growth Management Committees.
• Environmental planning and review for new development projects and City construction projects.
• Project management, coordination, and public outreach for cross-departmental environmental planning or enhancement projects.
• Coordination and oversight of citywide environmental compliance projects.

The role of the Natural Resources Department has expanded during recent years as City Council and the community emphasized environmental quality as a core community value.

This has meant increased responsibility in new environmental planning activities (e.g., the Poudre River Land Use Plan, Strategy for Gravel Lands Along the Poudre River, Cities for Climate Protection Local Action Plan, Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan) and implementing adopted plans (e.g., City Plan, Natural Areas Plan, and Environmental Management Plan.

1,110 acres of property were acquired in 2000, bringing to 8,703 the City's total acreage of natural areas and open lands. These sites are located in the foothills, along Fossil Creek, along the Poudre River, in the core area of Fort Collins, and in the corridor area between Fort Collins and Loveland.