The 910 is part of a regional, inter-connected wildlife habitat in close proximity to the Parley’s wildlife bridge. It provides a critical stopover for a wide variety of wildlife species in a protected landscape for the calving, feeding, mating, resting and aquatic resources detailed in the BioWe st 2024 Baseline Documentation Report.  On May 20 at a Summit County Council work session, the county resource manager presented a recreation proposal for the 910 Ranch and Wildlife Refuge recommending a do beach, parking for more than 100 vehicles, and new trails disrupting wildlife corridors and waterways.  Additionally, Summit County staff proposed public access and recreational uses on the 910 inconsistent with findings in BioWest’s report. These are not issues we take lightly. The 910 would suffer a wide variety of impacts in sensitive areas if staff’s recreation proposal is condoned or worse, approved by Summit County officials.  With regard to critical steps toward protecting 910’s wildlife, water and wilderness we are asking District 4 and 5 Summit County candidates to consider and provide a “yes” or “no” reply to the following:  1. Yes or no: As a Summit County councilor, would you advocate for a significant pause to reassess the county’s staff approach to 910 management and contract with expert environmental consultants to guide development for a qualified and long-range 910 Large Landscape Conservation Plan and Strategy? 2. Yes or no: As a Summit County councilor, would you prioritize consistent staff oversight and accountability to assure full compliance with the 910 conservation easement and BioWest report recommendations?   3. Yes or no: As a Summit County councilor, would you pause and restrict staff activities, programs and installations on the 910 property until a comprehensive strategic master plan and strategy is prepared, publicly presented, officially reviewed, modified as needed and approved? 4. Yes or no: As a Summit County councilor, would you acknowledge that the 910 conservation easement, attached to the federally funded Forest Legacy Grant, allows but does not mandate recreational activities and installations so as to consider the needs of wildlife above the desires of humans on the 8,500+ acres of the 910? 5. Yes or no: As a Summit County Council candidate, do you agree that the values ascribed to the county’s Highland Flat open space acquisition should apply to the 910 in context and policy? “This property provides an opportunity to protect what makes Summit County special: our open landscapes, rural heritage and shared spaces” — Summit County Council Chair Canice Harte. Thank you for your timely response to the 910 Wildlife Society at [email protected]. Kay Miller 910 Wildlife Society The post Positions on 910 refuge? appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less