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Statement from Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) To the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regarding Proposed Expansion of Recreational Activities at the Ragged Mountain Natural Area August 19, 2016 The recent ecosystem survey of the Ragged Mountain Natural Area makes clear that important, in some cases imperiled, biological resources exist there. Ragged Mountain is appropriately designated as a natural resource management area. ASAP believes that recreational uses permitted there must be compatible with persistence of the area’s natural resources. At present, the City is considering expanding the trail network at Ragged Mountain and expanding the allowed uses to include bicycle riding and dog walking. ASAP is not aware of any demonstrations of the compatibility of the proposed recreational expansions with natural resource conservation at Ragged Mountain. On the contrary, biologists have expressed many concerns about the impacts of these additional recreational activities on ground-nesting birds and some other species. Biologists also have expressed concern that additional recreational uses will promote the spread of invasive species already present at the site. Protection of natural resources is essential if our community is to move toward sustainability. Given the current state of information and the importance of sustaining important natural resources such as those at the Ragged Mountain site, ASAP urges that the City not expand recreational uses at Ragged Mountain beyond what is currently allowed. That is, we oppose both the expanded trail network and opening access to the existing trails for bicycles and dogs. Increases in the population in our area clearly lead to increased demands for additional open space recreational opportunities, and such opportunities are an important part of our community’s quality of life. We would urge the city and county governments to recognize, however, that continued growth of our population and ecological footprint will force us to encroach increasingly upon sensitive natural areas that should remain in a more protected state. While our existing open space recreational opportunities may already be too limited for our current population, burgeoning growth will force us to limit them further, and the protection of critical natural resources should not be compromised in order to circumvent this increasingly problematic trade-off.