BARBER VALLEY
One of the greatest benefits to living in Barber Valley is its location between Boise’s rolling foothills and her meandering river. Development in such a special place impacts the habitats of the native flora and fauna. Most, if not all of the people choosing to make this nature-rich environment home do so because of the many Idaho treasures that immediately surround us.
Many in our community are unaware of best practices to respect habitats and preserve the very benefits we seek to experience during outdoor recreational pursuits.
ONGOING PROCESS
Barber Valley development continues after decades of proposals, amendments, and compromises reached by and among stakeholders, including the Harris family, City of Boise, developers, neighbors, and experts in various fields of endeavor. Issues that ignite tensions between private property rights and public interests in conservation, recreation and progress continue to percolate in the valley.
As of mid 2021 Barber Valley is approximately 60% developed. As residential and commercial developments increase each neighbor shares the responsibility of understanding the management of habitat and neighborhood “boundaries:” the Boise River Wildlife Management Area (BRWMA) in the foothills and the Barber Pool Conservation Area on the river upstream of Barber Dam.
We each have the opportunity to act as a steward of this amazing neighborhood sandwiched between two of the most iconic urban conservation areas in the West. We can learn and respect the resource management rules and encourage others who are not aware of or who do not understand the rules governing human behaviors that may risk our future enjoyment of both of these treasured resources.
As development continues every resident’s awareness and respect of both nature and private property rights will ensure a livable balance to everyone’s benefit.
RESPECT WILDLIFE - BRWMA
Idaho’s largest Wildlife Management Area (36,000+ acres) is located in the foothills adjacent to Barber Valley residential developments. Deer, elk and antelope herds are our neighbors. Idaho Fish and Game manages their territory to maximize survival, while recreationists are itching to hike and bike to explore that very territory! Deferring to the experts when they close trails is the best practice in respect of the wildlife we all treasure.
Owners of private property adjacent to wildlife habitat share utmost respect for wildlife interests and also seek to limit public access to places that may impair or threaten species survival.
Trail closures or limitations (eg. dogs on leash) are imposed for the benefit of treasured wildlife. Future trail access and usage on or through public and private grounds depends on respecting (complying with) limitations and closures. When one trail closes, find another that is open:
*https://www.ridgetorivers.org/
*https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/wma-boise-river-map.pdf
*https://idfg.idaho.gov/visit/wildlife-management-areas#boise
RESPECT the RIVER CORRIDOR
Barber Pool Conservation Area
The Barber Pool Conservation Area encompasses most of the area from Barber Dam to the Highway 21 bridge and lies between the greenbelt and the New York Canal. This is the last remaining undeveloped section of the river in Boise, and it is one of the largest wildlife refuges in an American city. It is home to over 300 species of wildlife, fish and birds, including one of the last remaining nesting sites for bald eagles in Boise.
This amazing area is meant to be off limits to humans and pets, but the management plan for it is still developing. Human access to the area will be limited to curtail negative impacts on habitat. Signage will include interpretive and information to indicate limited access points and boundaries. This is not and will not be an off-leash dog park.
The best practice is to forego accessing the Barber Pool Conservation Area until the final plan is complete and access points are delineated.
*https://idaholands.org/barber-pool/
RESPECT COMMUNITY
The Boise Greenbelt snakes through Barber Valley on its route to Lucky Peak, and it connects us all to each other. Given its proximity to parks (currently Marianne Williams Park) and the Boise River, users are tempted to bike, walk and scoot through areas that are sensitive for wildlife or designed for people to achieve restful rather than athletic relaxation.
Marianne Williams Park was designed as a contemplative space, off limits to bicycles and dogs. The Barber Pool Conservation Area discussed above awaits limited, designated access points for fishing and other river access, but numerous rogue access paths have emerged over time, to the detriment of wildlife. The entire Greenbelt is “dogs on leash.”
Each of us can respect the interests and activities of each other by responsibly managing dog waste and recreating according to the few, thoughtful limitations that arise as we seek treasured experiences right outside our front doors.
*https://parks.cityofboise.org/parks- and-facilities/parks/greenbelt/
ENHANCING AWARENESS
As issues concerning trail, park, greenbelt and river usages in Barber Valley arise the BVNA Board works with city officials, private property owners and agencies such as Fish and Game to encourage improved signage so that all recreationists are aware of limits, closures, and other requirements such as staying off of muddy trails, biking where bikes are permitted, and where dogs are allowed and whether they are expected to be on or off leash.
The hope is that such knowledge empowers each of us to embrace our special places and all who live here. As new residents arrive each day those already here can spread the word, and act according to the ethic reflected here out of respect for the natural environs we will continue to enjoy so long as we treat them well.
