HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/21/2012 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE HIGH PARK FIRE REMEDIATIONDATE: August 21, 2012
STAFF: Kevin Gertig, Lance Smith,
Lisa Voytko
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 36
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the High Park Fire Remediation.
A. Resolution 2012-079 Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Two Intergovernmental Agreements Regarding Funding
of Cache La Poudre Watershed Mitigation in Response to the High Park Fire.
B. Emergency Ordinance No. 088, 2012, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the Water Fund for the High Park
Fire Remediation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The High Park Fire, which began on June 9, 2012 and ended on July 11, 2012, has affected the Cache la Poudre
watershed. Recent rain events (July 5 – 6, 2012, July 16, 2012) have demonstrated the negative effects of erosion
on the Cache la Poudre River, a key water source for the city. Fort Collins Utilities have been involved with local, state
and federal agencies to secure possible recovery funding. At this time, no local, state or federal funding sources have
been identified for post fire recovery efforts specific to water supplies. As a result, staff has worked with the City of
Greeley, the Tri-Districts, and Larimer County to develop an erosion mitigation plan with an immediate need to address
the highest priority area, Hill Gulch, which represents 1152 acres out of the 2600 acres identified as the most critical
area comprising Phase 1 of the effort for the whole 5657 acres requiring aerial mulching and seeding per the Burn Area
Emergency Response (BAER) report.
The BAER report specifically identifies an emergency situation exists with potentially significant impacts to water
diversion infrastructure due to the increased risk of damage from the accumulation of debris and sediment at intake
locations. The report also identifies an emergency situation exists with significant risk of degradation in water quality
due to soil erosion.
This Resolution authorizes the City Manager to enter into the intergovernmental agreement with the other parties to
fund the mitigation of the impacts of the High Park Fire.
This Emergency Ordinance appropriates $626,015 immediately so that mitigation efforts can begin as soon as
possible.
The other parties agreeing to fund the Hill Gulch mitigation work are in the process of finalizing the exact cost share
percentages; if the City’s share is modified as a result, revisions to the agenda materials will be made as early as
possible prior to the Council meeting.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The High Park Fire, which began on June 9, 2012 and ended on July 11, 2012, has affected the Cache la Poudre
watershed. The City has a large vested interest in the quality of water in the Poudre River. The Cache la Poudre
watershed is not owned by Fort Collins Utilities and consequently, it is necessary to work with other governmental
entities and private landowners to effectively address the negative effects of erosion/sediment transport into the River
due to rain on the burn area. Over 70% of the burned area resides on private land, which will not be mitigated without
participation of the City of Fort Collins.
Recent rain events (July 5 – 6, 2012, July 16, 2012) have demonstrated the negative effects of erosion on the Cache
la Poudre River. As a result, staff has worked with the City of Greeley, Tri-Districts, and Larimer County to develop
an erosion mitigation plan.
The City of Greeley has already entered into an agreement with Western States Reclamation to do similar mitigation
after the Hewlett Fire. That contractor is currently completing the reseeding and mulching necessary to slow the
erosion affecting the watershed from that fire and will be ready and available for this effort.
August 21, 2012 -2- ITEM 36
The cooperative efforts after the High Park Fire have identified the Hill Gulch as a priority area for similar efforts. The
Hill Gulch represents 1152 acres of the 2200 acres making up Phase 1 of the effort. A total of 5657 acres require
treatment. This funding represents the City of Fort Collins portion of the $1.45M required to treat this area.
Staff will continue to update the City Council and community as more information becomes available. What is known
at this time is that the water quality is, and will continue to be, challenging to treat after any rain or snow melt. Based
on literature of watershed fires, we could experience negative effects for years after this fire. In addition, these
negative effects will change as the years go by – immediate effects are the ash and sediment in the river, longer term
changes to the water quality such as metals concentration and algae growth leading to taste and odor issues are
anticipated. For example, Denver Water is still dealing with the Hayman fire more than a decade later.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
This effort will be coordinated through the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through a program called
“Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)”. The program is designed for recovery measures. The measures must be
environmentally and financially sound. It is possible the City will be eligible for up to 75% reimbursement from the
federal agencies and the City would pay the remaining 25%. At the August 21, 2012 Council meeting, staff will report
if efforts are successful in receiving any federal funding. However, it is necessary to begin the mitigation efforts
immediately. Since the total recovery cost impacts are still being determined at this time, this Emergency Ordinance
is requesting funding only for the initial mitigation efforts related to the Hill Gulch area. As further financial
assessments are completed, staff will update the City Council. It is anticipated at this time that a rate increase will be
necessary in 2013 to cover the additional costs associated with the fire mitigation efforts and the increased water
treatment costs.
This region is known for its high quality water and the economic impact is significant to the city. Many businesses have
located here specifically because our water exceeds drinking water standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The City of Fort Collins, along with two other water providers together serve over 320,000 citizens with high quality
drinking water in northern Colorado. In Fort Collins, we are collaborating with the other agencies to reduce the
negative environmental impact. The fire has increased debris in the river, erosion, and the sediment continues to
degrade water quality.
Staff plans to mitigate the areas that have the highest severity by placement of seed and mulch.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of this Resolution and Ordinance.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
There has not been sufficient time to present this Ordinance to the Water Board, although updates on the situation
have been given to the Water Board. The complete mitigation plans will be presented to the Water Board when they
are more fully developed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. High Park Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Report
2. Damage Survey Report 073012
3. Powerpoint presentation
High Park Fire
Burned Area
Emergency Response
(BAER)
Report
July 17, 2012
ATTACHMENT 1
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Summary ......................................................................................................................... S1-S3
Part I – Type of Request .................................................................................................... 1
A. Type of Report ................................................................................................. 1
B. Type of Action .................................................................................................. 1
Part II – Burned Area Description ...................................................................................... 1
A. Fire Name and Number .................................................................................... 1
B. Location ........................................................................................................... 1
C. Dates ................................................................................................................ 1
D. Costs and Damages Repaired .......................................................................... 1
E. Watershed Numbers ........................................................................................ 2
F. Total Acres Burned ........................................................................................... 2
G. Vegetation types............................................................................................... 3
H. Dominant Soils ................................................................................................. 3
I. Geologic Types ................................................................................................ 3
J. Stream Channels by Order or Class ................................................................. 3
K. Transportation System ..................................................................................... 4
Part III – Watershed Condition ........................................................................................... 4
A. Burn Severity .................................................................................................... 4
B. Water Repellent Soil ......................................................................................... 4
C. Soil Erosion Hazard Rating .............................................................................. 4
D. Soil Erosion Potential ....................................................................................... 5
E. Sediment Potential ........................................................................................... 6
Part IV – Hydrologic Design Factors .................................................................................. 6
A. Estimated Vegetative Recovery Period ............................................................ 6
B. Design Chance of Success .............................................................................. 6
C. Design Storm Information ................................................................................. 6
D. Reduction in Infiltration ..................................................................................... 6
E. Adjusted Design Flow ....................................................................................... 6
Part V – Summary of Analysis .......................................................................................... 8
A. Critical Values / Resources and Threats ........................................................... 8
B. Emergency Treatment Objectives .................................................................... 16
C. Market Resource Values .................................................................................. 17
D. Skills Represented on Burned-Area Survey Team ............................................ 18
E. Treatment Narrative ......................................................................................... 19
Part VI – Summary of Emergency Stabilization Treatments and Source of Funds ............ 24
List of Figures
Land Owner and Acreage Breakdown .............................................................
Soil Burn Severity ..............................................................................................
Soil Burn Severity by Watershed .......................................................................
Percent Flow Increase by Watershed ...............................................................
Potential Mulching Zones ..................................................................................
Figures
included at
end of report
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page S-1
HIGH PARK EMERGENCY STABILIZATION BURNED AREA REPORT
SUMMARY
Starting on June 9, 2012 and until containment was achieved on July 1, 2012, the High Park
Fire burned over 87,200 acres on multiple land jurisdictions. It is the largest and most
destructive fire in the history of Larimer County, destroying 259 homes and cabins and
disrupting the lives of hundreds of residents. Potential aftereffects include increased flooding,
erosion and threats to human life and safety, property and natural and cultural resources.
Of the burned acres within the fire perimeter, 32,302 burned at a low severity; 35,399 at a
moderate severity; and 5,714 at a high severity. More than 14,000 acres within the perimeter
were unburned. An interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has identified
possible treatments for the High Park Fire burn area. This report summarizes watershed
information, areas of concern, values at risk and proposed treatment. Emergency treatments
considered include land treatments, road and trail treatments, protection/safety treatments, and,
for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), cultural resources.
The team was comprised of resource specialists from the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), Larimer County, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the U.S.
Forest Service (USFS). BAER teams consider potential immediate post-fire impacts to critical
values of: human life and safety, property, natural resources, and cultural and heritage
resources (see Table S-1). Risk is assessed based on the magnitude of the consequences and
probability of damage or loss to any of these critical values (see Table S-2).
The USFS is responsible for addressing concerns on National Forest System lands. The NRCS
has an ability to help address concerns on non-Federal lands in partnership with willing private
landowners and local sponsors who are able to provide funds to match federal funding through
the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
Aerial mulching is proposed to stabilize burned hillslope areas on both National Forest System
(NFS) and private lands. Areas planned or proposed for aerial mulching to reduce erosion are
in high and moderate soil burn severity and on slopes between 20% and 60%. They are also
strategically located in areas where life, safety, or property is at risk or where there is high risk
to public water supply.
Aerial mulching is planned for 5,597 acres on NFS lands. Other planned treatments/responses
on NFS lands include road repairs or closures; temporary closures of areas, including USFS
trails; warning signs; noxious weed detection and treatment; hazardous tree cutting (of
immediate threats); and trail stabilization.
Possible treatments for private lands include aerial mulching and seeding of an additional 5,657
acres; barriers or other measures to reduce damage from sediment and other debris; clearing
channels and drainageways; warning signs, and increasing the size of culverts on County roads
and providing some protection from erosion to reduce the risk of flood flows overtopping and
washing out portions of these roads.
In total, this BAER assessment has identified approximately $24 million in potential emergency
stabilization treatments to address impacts of the High Park fire. Approximately $17 million in
possible treatments is identified for public roads and private lands. Approximately $9.9 million
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page S-2
of these treatments may be eligible for 75% federal funding through the NRCS Emergency
Watershed Protection (EWP) program. The cost for local sponsors and private landowners
would be approximately $9.3 million. The extent of work on private lands is dependent upon the
availability of both Federal and local funding.
Table S-1. Critical Values to be Considered During
Burned-Area Emergency Response
CRITICAL VALUES
HUMAN LIFE AND SAFETY
Human life and safety on or in close proximity to burned lands.
PROPERTY
Buildings, water systems, utility systems, road and trail prisms, dams, wells
or other significant investments on or in close proximity to the burned lands.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Water used for municipal, domestic, hydropower, or agricultural supply or
waters with special state or federal designations on or in close proximity to
the burned lands.
Soil productivity and hydrologic function on burned lands.
Critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or
endangered terrestrial, aquatic animal or plant species on or in close
proximity to the burned lands.
Native or naturalized communities on lands where invasive species or
noxious weeds are absent or present in only minor amounts.
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE RESOURCES
Cultural resources on lands which are listed on or potentially eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page S-3
Table S-2. BAER Risk Assessment
Probability
of Damage
or Loss
Magnitude of Consequences
Major Moderate Minor
RISK
Very Likely Very High Very High Low
Likely Very High High Low
Possible High Intermediate Low
Unlikely Intermediate Low Very Low
.
Probability of Damage or Loss: The following descriptions provide a
framework to estimate the relative probability that damage or loss would
occur within one to three years (depending on the resource):
Very likely - nearly certain occurrence (>90%)
Likely - likely occurrence (>50% to < 90%)
Possible - possible occurrence (>10% to <50%)
Unlikely - unlikely occurrence (<10%)
Magnitude of Consequences:
Major - Loss of life or injury to humans; substantial property damage;
irreversible damage to critical natural or cultural resources.
Moderate - Injury or illness to humans; moderate property damage;
damage to critical natural or cultural resources resulting in
considerable or long term effects.
Minor - Property damage is limited in economic value and/or to few
investments; damage to natural or cultural resources resulting in
minimal, recoverable or localized effects.
Source: Forest Service Manual 2523 – Emergency Stabilization –Burned Area Emergency
Response (BAER) - Interim Directive, 2012
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 1
PART I - TYPE OF REQUEST
A. Type of Report
[x] 1. Funding request for estimated emergency stabilization funds
[ ] 2. Accomplishment Report
[ ] 3. No Treatment Recommendation
B. Type of Action
[x] 1. Initial Request (Best estimate of funds needed to complete eligible stabilization measures)
[ ] 2. Interim Report #____
[ ] Updating the initial funding request based on more accurate site data or design analysis
[ ] Status of accomplishments to date
[ ] 3. Final Report (Following completion of work)
PART II - BURNED-AREA DESCRIPTION
A. Fire Name and Number
Fire Name: High Park
Fire Number: CO LRX GW7N
B. Location
State: CO
County: Larimer
Region: 2
Forest: ARNF-PNG
District: Canyon Lakes
Fire Incident Job Code: PNGW79
C. Dates
Date Fire Started: 06/09/2012
Date Fire Contained: 07/01/2012
D. Costs and Damages Repaired
Suppression Cost: Approx. $39.2 million at time of BAER Report.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 2
Fire Suppression Damages Repaired with Suppression Funds
1. Fire line (dozer line) water barred (miles): 30 (of 33 miles constructed)
2. Fire line seeded (miles): 0
3. Hand line: 13 miles of hand line constructed, 13 miles repaired (covered, scarified, and water
barred
4. Chipping: 42 miles (approximately 30’ on fire-side of road) of roadside hazard tree chipping
was completed as part of suppression activities
E. Watershed Numbers
Watershed
Number
Watershed
Name
Acres
101900070805 City of Fort Collins – Cache La Poudre River 16,670
101900070303 Skin Gulch – Cache La Poudre River 13,310
101900070105 Pendergrass Creek – South Fork Cache La Poudre River 11,234
101900070302 Young’s Gulch 9,217
101900070305 Hill Gulch - Cache La Poudre River 8,784
101900070303 Redstone Creek 8,460
101900070301 Upper Buckhorn Creek 7,643
101900070302 Middle Buckhorn Creek 4,466
101900070304 Gordon Creek 4,156
101900070209 Bennett Creek 1,611
101900070210 Seven mile Creek - Cache La Poudre River 1,163
101900070802 Horsetooth Reservoir 410
101900070704 Milton Seaman Reservoir – North Fork Cache La Poudre River 266
101900070104 Little Beaver Creek 96
Total 87,487
At approximately 87,487 acres, the High Park Fire is the largest recorded fire in the northern foothills of
the Front Range and/or Larimer County (USFS fire history layer).
The northern and northwestern part of the burned area is within 9 HUC6 Watersheds (Skin Gulch-Cache
la Poudre, Pendergrass Creek-South Fork Cache La Poudre River, Young’s Gulch, Hill Gulch-Cache la
Poudre, Gordon Creek, Bennett Creek and small proportions of Seven mile Creek, Little Beaver Creek,
and Milton Seamen Reservoir-North Fork Cache la Poudre River). These watersheds are tributary to the
Cache la Poudre River and confluence at various locations within Poudre Canyon, northwest of the City
of Fort Collins.
The eastern part of the burned area is within 2 HUC6 Watersheds (City of Fort Collins-Cache La Poudre
River and a small part of Horsetooth Reservoir). These watersheds drain primarily east towards the City
of Fort Collins. The natural drainage pattern is heavily modified by water conveyance and storage
facilities just west of Fort Collins.
The southern part of the burned area is within of 3 HUC6 Watersheds (Upper Buckhorn, Middle
Buckhorn and Redstone). These watersheds drain generally east and south to Buckhorn Creek and,
ultimately, the Big Thompson River.
F. Total Acres Burned
Total Acres Burned: 87,487
National Forest Service (NFS) 42,634 (48.7%)
Other Federal 261 (0.3%)
State 5,022 (5.7%)
Private 39,570 (45.2%)
A map of the burn perimeter and land ownership is included at the end of the report.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 3
G. Vegetation Types
Predominantly mature lodge pole pine, relatively closed canopy. At lower elevations, mixed-conifer
forests containing lodge pole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir. Upper elevations consist of forests
transitioning to Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Pockets of aspen exist throughout forested areas
and in minor drainage-ways. Limber pine on some ridgelines.
Non-forested openings are primarily grass, grass-forb complexes, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush,
sagebrush, and other upland shrubs. Major drainages with riparian areas are dominated by graminoids
and willows, with alders, Rocky Mtn. maple, and other common riparian vegetation. Steep rocky south-
or west-facing hillsides/canyons of lower elevations with open junipers, ponderosa pine, shrubs and
bunchgrasses; steep rocky north- or east-facing hillsides/canyons with bunchgrasses, shrubs, and
mixed-conifer forests dominated by Douglas-fir.
H. Dominant Soils
There are 56 soil units inside the High Park fire perimeter. Dominant soils inside the fire perimeter are
divided into three map units which comprise 13% to 25% of the area. These map units are:
Wetmore-Boyle-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes,
Haploborolls-Rock outcrop complex, steep, and
Redfeather sandy loam, 5 to 50 percent slopes.
These 3 units represent a total of 52% of the burned area. The Haploborolls-Rock outcrop complex is
mostly in moderate to low burn severity areas and Redfeather sandy loam units are located mostly in
moderate soil burn severity areas. The Wetmore-Boyle-Rock outcrop complex is the dominant soil unit
inside high burn severity areas.
Rock fragments are abundant across the High Park Fire area. The three most common soil map units
generally have between 10% and 60% by volume rock fragments in the surface horizons and between
35% and 80% fragments in the underlying subsoil. Surface textures are mostly sandy loam throughout
the fire area. Rock outcrops are common throughout the burned area, especially on steep slopes with
gradients greater than 60%.
I. Geologic Types
There are six main geologic formations in the burned area: two igneous, two metamorphic, and two
sedimentary. The igneous formation of granitic rock material covers 19 percent of the area. The
metamorphic formations are biotitic and felsic gneiss with schist, and cover approximately 79% of the
area. The sedimentary formations are sandstones and limestones. The sedimentary formations cover
approximately 1% of the burned area. Large granite inclusions occur in the south-central area of the
burn. Metamorphic rocks (biotitic gneiss and felsic gneiss) occur as a continuous unit inside the
perimeter with small inclusions of felsic gneiss formation.
J. Stream Channels by Order or Class:
Perennial 57 miles
Intermittent 271 miles
Ephemeral 316 miles
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 4
K. Transportation System
County Roads: 42.3 miles
CDOT Highways: 24.7 miles
Forest Service: 40.6 miles
Private Roads: 98.5 miles
Trails: 9 miles
PART III - WATERSHED CONDITION
A. Burn Severity (acres)
Total Acres Burned: 87,487
Unburned 14,072 (16.1%)
Low 32,302 (36.9%)
Moderate 35,399 (40.4%)
High 5,714 (6.5%)
A Burned Area Reflectance Classifications (BARC) image was obtained on 06/18/2012. Approximately
50,000 acres was covered by the 06/18 image. Additional BARC coverage was requested but, due to
cloud cover, additional imagery was not available. The BAER Team mapped the remaining acreage on
the west and north sides of the fire based on aerial and ground reconnaissance of the burned area. Soil
burn severity observations and mapping were based on criteria outlined in the Field Guide for Mapping
Post Fire Soil Burn Severity. An additional 7,685 acres (The Hewlett Fire) was recently burned in May,
2012. The High Park Fire burned to the western and southern flanks of the Hewlett Fire.
The cumulative effect of increased peak flows and sediment laden flows from both burned areas
increases the risk for various downstream values at risk, particularly effects on human life and safety,
property and natural resources, including drinking and irrigation water providers.
A soil burn severity map is included at the end of the report.
B. Water-Repellent Soil
Water Repellent Soil: 12,238 acres
Water repellency was observed in the field under moderate and high soil burn severity in shrub and
forest vegetation types. It was estimated that 30% of the high and moderate severity burn is water
repellent.
C. Soil Erosion Hazard Rating
Low 7,867 acres
Moderate 30,009 acres
High 48,798 acres
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 5
D. Soil Erosion Potential
The Erosion Risk Management Tool (ERMiT) model was used to determine the expected rates of erosion
from burned and unburned hill-slopes within the burned area. ERMiT runs for a variety of slopes,
vegetation types and burn severities within the burned area are outlined in the High Park BAER Soil
Resources Report.
Eighteen scenarios were selected geographically by ownership (US Forest Service land, private, state
and/or county), burn severity (high, moderate, low), and cover (forest, grassland, shrubland). Slope
gradients and hill slope length were determined for each scenario using Geographic Information System
(GIS). Rock content and surface texture was obtained from the soil survey. The data were then entered
into ERMiT to obtain the amount of sediment delivery expected from unburned (pre-fire) and burned
areas (post-fire).
Erosion potential within the burn ranged from less than 1 ton/acre pre-fire to 23 tons/acre post-fire. This
estimate was based on soil burn severity, slopes and ERMiT modeling as shown below:
ERMiT inputs:
Soil Burn Severity/
Vegetation type
Scenario
#
Hillslope
Horizontal
Length (ft)
Slope
%
top
Slope
%
middle
Slope
%
toe
Texture
Rock
content
%
High/forest 1 700 60 30 10 extremely cobbly
loamy sand 35
High/rangeland 2 700 30 10 10 very gravelly coarse
sandy loam 35
High/shrub land 3 500 30 20 10 very gravelly coarse
sandy loam 35
Moderate/forest 4 1000 0 40 20 coarse sandy loam 35
Moderate/ rangeland 5 900 60 30 10 very gravelly coarse
sandy loam 35
Moderate/ shrub land 6 400 40 20 10 sandy loam 35
Low/forest 7 400 40 20 10 very cobbly sandy
loam 35
Low/rangeland 8 100 30 10 0 coarse sandy loam 5
Low/shrub land 9 600 40 20 10 extremely cobbly
loamy sand 15
ERMiT outputs:
Soil Burn Severity/
Vegetation type
Scenario
#
Sediment delivery
(tons/acres) pre-fire
Sediment delivery (tons/acre)
post-fire
High/ Forest 1 1.4 15.91
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 6
E. Sediment Potential
1,090 cubic yards / square mile
PART IV - HYDROLOGIC DESIGN FACTORS
A. Estimated Vegetative Recovery Period
3-5 years (for recovery of hill-slope stability)
B. Design Chance of Success
80% (assuming damaging storm does not occur before treatments are in place)
C. Design Storm Information
Design Recurrence Interval 10 years
Design Storm Duration 1 hour
Design Storm Magnitude 1.5 inches
Design Flow 70 cubic feet / second / square mile)
D. Reduction in Infiltration
Estimated Reduction in Infiltration: 55 percent
E. Adjusted Design Flow
Adjusted design flow 180 cfs per square mile
Watershed
Number
Watershed
Name
Percent
USFS
land
Pre-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
Post-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
% of
pre-fire
flow
101900070209 Bennett Creek 98 114 210 184%
10190006061602 Blackhurst Gulch 0 139 501 360%
10190007141012 Boyd Gulch 0 95 468 493%
10190007140610 Buck Gulch 100 51 206 404%
101900060614B4 Buckhorn D 0 197 495 252%
10190007140608 Cedar Gulch 82 92 402 437%
101900071812DG Devil Gulch 0 134 385 287%
101900071812EG Empire 0 73.7 183 249%
10190007141004 Falls Gulch 98 93 470 505%
101900070304 Hewlett Gulch 48 408 747 183%
10190007141008 Hill Gulch 18 226 1094 484%
101900071812AG Labeau Gulch 0 148 383 259%
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 7
Watershed
Number
Watershed
Name
Percent
USFS
land
Pre-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
Post-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
% of
pre-fire
flow
101900071812OG Long Brown Gulch 0 176 844 479%
10190006061606 Lower Laurence 0 85 213 251%
10190007180604 Lower Lewstone 0 214 1063 497%
10190007031006 Lower South Fork 100 45 135 301%
10190007180604 Middle Lewstone 0 49 154 314%
10190006060206 Monument Gulch 88 50.1 153 305%
10190006060224 Paradise Park 38 99.1 394 397%
10190006060210 Pendergrass A 92 33.3 85 255%
10190007031004 Pendergrass B 100 39 285 731%
10190007031004 Pendergrass C 100 26 1090 4194%
10190007031004 Pendergrass D 87 29 82 284%
10190007180602 Poudre 1A 0 137 730 533%
10190007180602 Poudre 1C 0 128 460 360%
10190007140602 Poverty Gulch 94 136 796 585%
10190006061604 Raspberry Gulch 0 181 494 273%
10190006061610 Redstone Creek A 0 101 562 556%
10190006061610 Redstone Creek B 0 80 501 626%
10190006061610 Redstone Creek C 0 74 257 348%
10190006061610 Redstone Creek D 0 47 58 124%
10190006061610 Redstone Creek E 0 95 127 133%
10190007180606 Rist A .35 108 691 640%
10190007180606 Rist B 0 89 389 437%
10190007180606 Rist C 0 98 411 419%
10190007180606 Rist D 0 128 716 560%
10190007180606 Rist E 0 53 235 443%
101900071818H1 Santanka Gulch 0 41.5 56 135%
10190007140604 Skin Gulch 89 182 884 486%
101900071818H2 Soldier Canyon 0 92.2 171 185%
10190007140606 Stevens Gulch 50 81 269 332%
10190006060402 Stove Prairie A and B 241 829 344%
10190007031008 Trib to South Fork 80 49 717 1464%
10190007180602 Tunnel 0 139 442 318%
10190006060222 Twin Cabin Gulch 85 63.6 242 381%
101900071818H3 Unnamed 1 0 30 50 168%
10190007180602 Unnamed 2 0 72.5 389 536%
10190007141014 Unnamed 3 1 40 213 531%
10190007141014 Unnamed 4 0 32 86 270%
10190007141014 Unnamed 6 39 35 77 221%
10190007141002 Unnamed 9 85 96 380 396%
10190006061606 Upper Laurence 0 168 473 281%
10190007180604 Upper Lewstone 13 96 242 252%
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 8
Watershed
Number
Watershed
Name
Percent
USFS
land
Pre-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
Post-fire
Estimated
Discharge
(cfs)
% of
pre-fire
flow
10190006060216 White Pine A 96 30.6 69 226%
10190006060214 White Pine B 83 21.6 35 160%
101900070303 Young Gulch A 58 121 511 422%
101900070303 Young Gulch B 21 166 558 336%
101900070303 Young Gulch C 0 56 138 246%
101900070303 Young Gulch D 63 96 369 384%
101900070303 Young Gulch E 19 143 724 506%
101900070303 Young Gulch F 77 69 195 283%
A map of the percent flow increase by watershed is included at the end of the report.
PART V - SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS
A. Critical Values / Resources and Threats
Critical values, resources and threats are
HUMAN LIFE / SAFETY and PROPERTY
Threats to life and safety and property exist in valley bottom areas and in steep burned gulches
throughout and downstream from the burned area. Residents and road users will be exposed to
increased risk of flooding and debris flow. Houses and other structures, driveways, other private
property, Forest Service recreation facilities, and roads and trails located in valley bottoms adjacent to or
in the flood prone areas or near stream channels are at increased risk for flooding and debris flow.
The small unincorporated community of Poudre Park is located near the confluences of two large and
heavily burned watersheds: Hill Gulch and Falls Gulch. Both watersheds have already experienced flood
and debris flows from a relatively small rainfall event on July 6, 2012. Similarly, the Bellvue community is
located on the Mill Gulch drainage which receives stormwater runoff from Long Brown Gulch, Labeau
Gulch and Devil Gulch. There is the potential for significantly increased stormwater and flood flows from
these watershed under post-fire conditions.
In several locations, structures and roads are located on alluvial and debris flow fans at the outlets of
severely burned gulches and are at increased risk for debris flows.
Most of the major irrigation canals located east of the High Park fire burn area follow contours in a north-
south orientation. There are many locations where tributary drainages flowing in a west to east direction
are passed over or under the irrigation facilities. There is an increased risk for flood flows and sediment
to enter irrigation canals and adversely impact the operation of these facilities. Water diversion
infrastructure is at risk due to sediment and debris accumulation. Numerous ponds and small reservoirs
within the burned area are at increased risk of filling with sediment and/or dam failure.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 9
Roads
There are State, private, County and Forest Service roads within the burned area. The mainline
County Roads and Colorado State Highway (SH) 14 form the transportation backbone in the
foothills and mountainous areas affected by the High Park fire. SH 14 serves as a major east-
west route for recreational users of the Poudre River and Forest Service Lands. There are
numerous private homes and cabins, some clustered in small unincorporated communities such
as Poudre Park, located immediately adjacent to the highway and river. SH 14 extends over
Cameron Pass and provides year-round access to the North Park area.
Potential post-fire impacts include damage to the road system and/or loss of access due to
increased runoff rates that overwhelm the capacity of bridges and culverts, plugging of hydraulic
structures by debris and sediment, severe erosion of the road surface, or deposition of sediment
or debris on road surfaces. Increased risk for temporary loss of access/egress exists on both SH
14 and mainline County Roads in the burn area.
There are approximately 42.3 miles of County maintained roads located within the boundaries of
the High Park fire burn area. The County maintained road mileage is evenly split between paved
(21.3 miles) and non-paved (21.0 miles) road surfaces. Major County roads impacted by the
High Park fire and located directly within or adjacent to the burn area include:
CR 25E (Redstone Canyon Road)
CR 27 (Buckhorn Road changing to Stove Prairie Road north of CR 44H)
CR 29C (Missile Silo Road)
CR 44H (Buckhorn Road)
CR 52E (Rist Canyon Road)
CR 63E (Pingree Park Road)
There are also many miles of County roadway that run along the southern and western
boundaries of the burn area that will likely receive concentrated water, sediment and debris runoff
generated from hill slopes and drainages in the adjacent burned areas. These roads include:
CR 23 in Bellvue
CR 25E between CR 50 and CR 52E
CR 27E north of CR 52E
CR 50 CR 54E in the Bellvue area
Additionally, there are 98.5 miles of private roads in the fire area, virtually all of which are non-
paved. These private roads serve subdivisions such as Whale Rock, Davis Ranch, Stratton Park,
Paradise Park and Glacier View as well as a variety of 35+ acre parcels that did not go through
any County subdivision approval process.
The County roads all functionally serve as collector roads on the County network. CR 27
(Buckhorn Road) functions as a major collector roadway and carries about 1,000 vehicle trips per
day. The other county maintained roads in the burn area serve as minor collector roads but also
carry significant traffic. For example, east of the Davis Ranch Road access point, CR 52E (Rist
Canyon Road) has an average daily traffic load of more than 1,100 vehicles per day. Any
damage to, or blocking of, the county road network, or private roads, could eliminate access to
residents, emergency service providers or the general public using these routes to reach other
areas of the County. County Roads such as CR 27 (Buckhorn/Stove Prairie) have also been
used as detour routes for recent post-fire debris flow episodes that have affected and closed SH
14.
Private gravel roads within the burned area are also likely to exacerbate the risk of flooding and
erosion by collecting surface water, concentrating it and delivering it to hill slopes or stream
channels. Most of the private roads within the burn have inadequate cross-drainage culverts.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 10
The County Roads and SH 14 routes were the only means of providing ground-based emergency
response and deploying firefighting assets into the impacted area. Major roadway routes are
generally constrained by topography and tend to be coincident with the paths of the larger stream
channels such as Rist Creek, Redstone Creek, Stove Creek and Buckhorn Creek.
In addition to the County Roads, private roads and SH 14, there are seventeen total Forest
Service roads that lie within the fire perimeter. Three of these roads travel through Low and
Unburned severity burn and are unlikely to sustain damage. The remaining 14 roads travel
through Moderate and High severity burn and impacts are likely. These roads will require
additional cross drainage or improvement of existing drainage, including rolling dips, lead outs,
and ditches. Culverts are undersized for the anticipated flow increases, and culverts size will
need to be increased or culverts will need to be removed, and replaced after peak flows recover
toward pre-burn conditions. Some roads may be closed until watershed conditions recover.
An emergency for roads was determined for Human Life and
Safety and Property. The probability of loss is Very likely and the
magnitude of consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very
High.
Recreation Resources
Mountain Park Campground's location at the base of the steep, burned hillside create a
high probability that 5 campsites closest to the burned area will be susceptible to debris
flow and minor flooding. A minor flow (several inches in depth) did occur into one of these
sites after a major rain event on 7/6/12.
The culvert located under Highway 14 at Stove Prairie Campground creates a moderate
likelihood that flooding/debris from high rain fall onto the burned hillside across from the
campground will be deposited onto the campground's access road and have to be
removed.
Ansel Watrous Campground has been determined to be intermediate risk, since the wide
and fairly deep creek bed can likely handle major rain runoff. This was evidenced during a
heavy rain event since the fire's containment date.
Similar to Stove Prairie Campground, the culvert at located under Highway 14 at Diamond
Rock Picnic Area poses a moderate probability that flooding/debris from high rain fall onto
the burned hillside across from the picnic area will flow through the culvert and splash
directly onto picnickers sitting at a table in a direct path with the culvert. The picnic area
predates the culvert.
The looped Mount McConnel and Kreutzer Trails, Hewlett Trail, and Young Gulch Trail all
sustained burn severity that has reduced tree and ground cover to the point that debris
flows are already occurring along much of their lengths. The Young Gulch trail is at
greatest risk. Hazard trees are also an issue on all these trails.
There is a high probability that recreation residences that have been constructed over or
near creeks at the mouths of drainages will be susceptible to life-threatening flooding and
debris flows. These locations include cabins in the Lower Bennett, Narrows, and Poudre
Park summer group residences. One structure at the Narrows has already been
destroyed by a debris flow.
The fire line created in the Narrows area has created an access point for unauthorized
OHV use onto highly erodible soils. This may create an additional debris flow hazard for
Highway 14 and increase vegetation destruction and run-off.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 11
Recreational fishing and scenic viewing along the South Fork Poudre River has been
greatly impacted by the fire. Biologists have determined that sedimentation and run-off
from the fire will stress the river environment for the next several years.
An emergency for recreation (trails, recreation sites, and
recreation residences) was determined for Human Life and Safety
and Property. The probability of loss is Very Likely and the
magnitude of consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very
High.
Water Diversion Infrastructure
Three municipal water supply diversions lie within the burn perimeter. These diversions provide
water for the City of Fort Collins, the City of Greeley, and the Tri-Districts. Each entity operates its
WTP separately; however there is interconnectivity through water transfers. These facilities are at
increased risk of damage due to debris and sediment accumulating at the intakes which are all
located on the Poudre River.
The eastern perimeter of the fire is bounded by Horsetooth Reservoir, the largest east-slope
reservoir of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, and the Hansen Supply Canal, which delivers
water from Horsetooth Reservoir to the City of Greeley WTP at Bellvue and water to the Cache
La Poudre River. Horsetooth water is also delivered to agricultural users via the Poudre. These
facilities are also at increased risk from post-fire runoff and sedimentation.
Additionally there are 18 irrigation diversion structures on the Poudre River that could be
impacted by increased debris and sediment flows. These 18 structures provide irrigation water
through 441 miles of canals which supports over 100,000 acres of irrigated cropland in Larimer
and Weld County. Sediment deposition can be expected to occur in some irrigation canals.
An emergency for water diversion infrastructure for the facilities
on the Cache La Poudre River was determined for Property. The
probability of loss is Very likely and the magnitude of
consequence is Moderate. Therefore, the risk is Very High.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Water Quality Degradation
Soil erosion and subsequent large sediment increases are predicted throughout and downstream
of the burn area. An emergency for water quality degradation was determined for the following
reasons:
Large sediment increases are expected. These increases will be of short term duration,
recovering to pre-fire conditions over time with the worst impacts occurring over the next
three to five years. During this time there is high potential for degradation of source water
quality for the city of Fort Collins, the City of Greeley, and the Tri-Districts (North Weld,
East Larimer-Fort Collins) which all utilize water from the Poudre River. There will likely
be significant impacts to public water supplies due to sediment increases and reduced
water quality. All of these water providers also use Horsetooth Reservoir as an alternate
water supply to the Poudre River. The fire has also affected a portion of the area in Lory
State Park and private lands that drains directly into Horsetooth Reservoir.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 12
An emergency was determined for water quality degradation. The
probability of loss is Very likely and the magnitude of
consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very High.
Flood Hazard
The flood hazard is predicted to increase dramatically within and immediately downstream of the
burn area. An emergency for flood hazard was determined for the following reasons:
Runoff is predicted to increase significantly following the fire.
There are a high number of residents and recreationists in the area resulting in high
numbers of people exposed.
High traffic roads with drainage structures including Colorado Highway 14 and County
Roads 27, 52E, 25E, 44H and 63E.
There is substantial risk to life and property resulting from the increased flood risk.
The probability of loss is Very likely and the magnitude of
consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very High.
Debris Flow Hazard
The debris flow hazard is expected to increase significantly in the years following the fire. An
emergency for debris flows was determined for the following reasons:
There are a high number residents and recreationists in the area resulting in high
numbers of people exposed.
The infrastructure in the area in not adequate to handle the increases in flow and
sediment predicted.
Debris across the roads in the area could result in large numbers of people being cut off
from emergency services, possibly for long periods of time.
There is substantial risk to life and property resulting from the increased debris flow risk.
The probability of loss is Very likely and the magnitude of
consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very High.
Road Washout Hazard
The road wash out hazard is expected to increase significantly in the near future. An emergency
for roads washing out was determined for the following reasons:
There is substantial risk to life and property resulting from the increased debris flow risk.
The current transportation system is not expected to handle the predicted flood flow
increases and sediment loads.
Roads washing out in the area could result in large numbers of people being cut off from
emergency services, possibly for long periods of time.
The probability of loss is Very likely and the magnitude of
consequence is Major. Therefore, the risk is Very High.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 13
Native or Naturalized Plant Communities
There are no known occurrences of Threatened or Endangered (TE) plants in or near the burn
area, and no undetected occurrences are suspected. Overall, there are no anticipated threats to
TE plant species due to possible erosion, sedimentation, or other fire- or fire-suppression related
impacts. The canal-side site of Ute ladies-tresses on non-federal land is not expected to be
impacted by any treatment options.
Multiple sites of several sensitive plants and species of local concern are known to occur in the
burn area. Most sites occur in rocky areas or ridges, and some plants are anticipated to have
burned during the fire or to be adversely impacted by habitat alteration in the short-term. It is
probable that many plants survived, and that most sites would not experience long-term reduced
viability with return to pre-burn conditions, including return of pollinators. None were impacted by
fire suppression activities.
No Emergency was determined for Native or Naturalized Plant
Communities.
Range and Weeds
Several areas with known weed infestations were noted in the field: Young Gulch Trail (several
species including leafy spurge burned at moderate to high soil burn severities), the area at CR27
and Highway 14 (several species including leafy spurge burned at light soil burn severity),
riparian meadows near Fish Creek trailhead (yellow toadflax burned at patchy light soil burn
severity to no burn), campgrounds along Highway 14 (unburned). On the Hewlett Fire, the fire did
not burn the west side of the Hewlett Gulch trail. The High Park Fire took care of this and the
entire trail is burned mostly at light soil burn severity.
In the Swan Range Allotment, the burn was variable, but the West pasture appeared to be more
moderately burned than the Middle pasture. The spring developments sustained light damage
and the fences sustained moderate to heavy damage. In the Bennett Creek Allotment, the burned
area east of Pingree Park Road occurs in steep and timbered terrain generally not grazed by
livestock; therefore, most of the utilizable rangeland occurring on the rest of the allotment was
unaffected. The Camman Spring survived. No emergency structural or management measures
are needed on either allotment to protect recovering areas from grazing. Timing and intensity of
grazing in 2013 will be monitored and addressed through the grazing permit administration
process.
The fire burned approximately 6,000 acres of private rangeland with a potential loss of 1,600
Animal Unit Months of forage. Since the severity of the burn in these areas ranged from light to
moderate they should recover fully within a year or two. However, seeding and mulching might
be needed in those private rangeland areas as well as other areas, where noxious weeds have
been identified or are a concern, as part of an overall integrated weed management plan to
provide competition to keep the weeds from re-establishing and or expanding their range on
private lands.
Many feet of private pasture fencing was lost in the fire requiring a great deal of labor and
expense to replace. This fencing has to be replaced so that livestock can graze again and have
their grazing controlled to maintain or improve the rangeland health, protect riparian areas and
allow for the use of livestock as a biological control for some of the weed species. Animal hoof
action will also play a key role in speeding up the process of reducing the hydrophobicity of the
soil. Livestock watering facilities were lost and will also have to be rebuilt to provide dependable,
clean water for both livestock and incidental use by wildlife.
It is likely that existing weed infestations will increase, particularly in moderate to high soil burn
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 14
severity areas, due to conditions favorable to accelerated growth and reproduction, and release
from competition with native plant communities. In addition, the unintentional introduction and
dispersal of invasive weeds into areas disturbed by fire suppression and rehabilitation has the
potential to establish persistent weed populations. It is expected that most native vegetation will
recover if weed invasions are minimized.
There is an emergency situation for the recovery of native
vegetation due to significant threats from noxious weed
establishment and/or spread affecting natural plant community
integrity, wildlife habitats, and watershed values.
Wildlife: Critical Habitat or Suitable Occupied Habitat
The fire appears to have resulted in minor consequences to Preble’s critical habitat and other
suitable Preble’s habitat. As described above, the majority of riparian vegetation within Preble’s
habitat appears to have been unburned or lightly burned by the fire. Additionally, where riparian
herbaceous or shrub vegetation was moderately burned or killed, this vegetation should grow
back within about 1 to 3 years approximately. This also should be the case for herbaceous and
shrub vegetation in the adjacent upland Preble’s habitat zone as well. Some riparian vegetation
may be covered by ash and sediment during flood events, but this would be a fairly temporary
condition not resulting in long-term impacts to Preble’s habitat. On private lands any proposed
treatments that could have an adverse effect on Preble’s habitat will go through the proper federal
and/or state review process before treatments are implemented.
For the mapped lynx habitat, the majority of this forest area was killed by crown fire. This forest
habitat will take a few to several decades to grow back to a condition where it may provide
suitable lynx habitat. However, as described in the wildlife report, it’s questionable how much of
this area actually provided suitable lynx habitat because it is likely that much of it was dry lodge
pole pine or single-story lodge pole that lacked dense horizontal cover, which is a key component
for lynx habitat. Also, the polygon of mapped lynx habitat was isolated by lower elevation
unsuitable habitat from the main body of both the Poudre and Estes LAUs. Crown fire in this type
of ecosystem is a natural disturbance process that ultimately provides different age classes of
forest for lynx habitat.
Based on the discussion presented above, it is determined that
there is no emergency for either Preble’s or lynx habitat within
the High Park Fire area.
Fisheries
The streams that will see potential adverse impacts from post fire run-off events associated with
thunderstorm and overland flow events identified during the BAER process were: main stem
Cache La Poudre River, South Fork Cache La Poudre River, Buckhorn Creek, Bennett Creek,
and Young Gulch. We anticipate adverse post-fire effects to alter aquatic habitats and disrupt
aquatic life for three to five years. Recovery of aquatic ecosystems will occur as erosion rates
diminish and flushing flows route fire contrived fine sediment from main channels.
Because there are no fish that are threatened or endangered
found in the area within the fire boundary or directly downstream
that would experience adverse post fire effects, there is no
emergency determination for fisheries. Similarly, as the Arapaho
Snow fly is only a species under consideration for listing and not
an officially listed species, there is not an emergency
determination.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 15
However, to limit impacts to aquatic habitat and organisms, it is strongly recommended that
upland treatments in the watershed address overland flow erosion, that trail reconstruction to
Young Gulch be completed in accordance with Region 2 Soil and Water Conservation Practices,
and that all road reconstruction and maintenance be completed in accordance with Region 2 Soil
and Water Conservation Practices and specifically address and limit stream sedimentation.
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE RESOURCES
Cultural resources have been assessed only on National Forest lands. On private lands any proposed
treatments that could have an adverse effect on Cultural Resources will go through the proper federal
and/or state review process before treatments are implemented to minimize impacts.
The High Park Fire is located in steep terrain with relatively few known cultural resources. Those that
are known are clustered around the drainages on the perimeter of the fire area. Three values at risk
(resources rated at high or very high risk) were identified: 5LR1381, a prehistoric plains woodland period
open camp; 5LR13065, a WWII plane crash site; and 5LR11051, a historic recreation residence.
5LR1381 is at risk damage from debris flows and erosion events stabilization or data recovery are
recommended. 5LR13065 is at risk or erosion and is in an area proposed by other resources for aerial
mulching. 5LR11051 is at risk of for erosion that could cause damage to cultural resources, substantial
property damage and possibly loss of life or injury to humans.
In addition, undiscovered NRHP-eligible cultural resources may exist in the area of potential effects
associated with BAER-related activities such as construction of water bars, trail work, or other ground-
disturbing activities. The National Historic Preservation Act requires a cultural resource inventory and
consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) prior to implementation of these
activities.
The probability that post wildfire runoff from typical high
intensity/short duration summer thunderstorms could impact
cultural and heritage resources is possible and, if impacted, the
consequences would be major. The risk for impacts to these
resources is considered to be high.
SUMMARY OF RISK ASSESSMENT
Threat Identification
Critical Value
Probability
of Loss
Magnitude of
Consequences
BAER
Risk
Roads Life and Safety / Property Very Likely Major Very High
Trails and Recreation Life and Safety / Property Very Likely Major Very High
Water Diversion infrastructure Property Very Likely Moderate Very High
Water Quality Degradation Natural Resources
(Water Supply) Very Likely
Major Very High
Flood Hazard Natural Resources Very Likely Major Very High
Debris Flow Hazard Natural Resources Very Likely Major Very High
Invasive species Natural Resources Likely Moderate High
Cultural Resources Cultural Resources Possible Moderate Intermediate
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 16
B. Emergency Treatment Objectives
LAND TREATMENTS
The objective of aerial mulching is to provide temporary ground cover and help reduce rainfall-
induced hill-slope erosion and associated flooding, sediment laden flows and/or debris flows within
the burned area. This treatment is recommended to:
Lower the risk of post wildfire impacts to life/safety of residents, road users and recreational
users;
Lower the risk of post wildfire impacts to private property, roads and water supply
infrastructure; and
Lower the risk of post wildfire impacts to public drinking water quality.
The objective of noxious weed detection surveys and treatments is to provide for recovery of native
vegetation by preventing the establishment and spread of noxious weeds in the recently burned area.
ROAD AND TRAIL TREATMENTS
The purpose of road treatments is to reduce the risk of transportation system drainage failure which
could compromise ingress/egress, damage the road surface, increase erosion, sedimentation, and
cause downstream damage. Road treatments mitigate the fire’s effect on the transportation
infrastructure and protect life, safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. These
treatments work in conjunction with land, channel, and protection/safety.
The objective of forest road and trail stabilization treatments on Forest Service lands is to lower the
risk of damage to property (system trails) by lowering erosion of the trail surface in severely burned
and steep areas within the burned area and to provide for public safety. The objective of temporary
closure of roads is to reduce risk to human life and safety.
PROTECTION / SAFETY TREATMENTS
Flood Warning Systems: The Poudre River watershed provides public water supply to the City of Fort
Collins, City of Greeley and the Tri-Districts which serves a range of unincorporated areas in the
front-range Larimer and Weld Counties. Use of existing flood warning systems provided by the
National Weather Service and the Larimer County Office of Emergency Services would notify water
providers that sediment laden floodwaters may be approaching. They can then make an informed
decision about whether to close intake head gates to avoid taking sediment laden water into their
systems.
Road Warning Signs: Warning signs will inform the public of the risks associated with travel within the
burn area that include excess stormwater runoff, possible high water or flash floods and debris that
may create a hazard along public roads. Warning signs will be installed along major public roads at
the edge of the burn area. Additional signs will be installed in high-risk areas. In these areas, access
may be cut-off by high water, debris, or other hazards.
Hazardous Tree Removal: The objective of the hazardous tree removal treatment is to lower threat
of hazardous trees to the life/safety of workers implementing BAER trail stabilization and storm patrol
treatments on the Mount McConnel, Kreutzer, Hewlett, and Young Gulch Trails.
Trail Warning Signs: The objective of installing warning signs is to reduce threats to life/safety of
recreational hikers by warning that they are entering a burned area and warning against access into
hazardous areas adjacent to the trails. These signs also serve too accelerate natural recovery by
preventing travel off trails. Additional signs to provide warning of increased potential for falling rock
and debris are also recommended to lower threats to human life/safety at specific locations along
trails within the burned area.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 17
Temporary Trail Closure: The objective of temporary closure of trails is to reduce risk to human life
and safety.
Communication and Emergency Response Planning: Another important objective of the BAER Team
is to communicate the findings of this report to the National Weather Service, the Larimer County
Office of Emergency Services and the local Fire Protection Districts. The purpose of this
communication would be to inform these entities of anticipated post wildfire watershed response and
associated threats to public safety. This information could be utilized in the development of early
warning systems or emergency response plans.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
The objective of cultural resource treatments is to prevent irretrievable loss of archeological
information, to prevent looting by informing recreational users of the importance of archaeology and
federal laws that prohibit theft of artifacts and damage to historic or prehistoric sites, to prevent
erosion on disturbance of archaeological materials, and to divert runoff that is adversely affecting the
foundation of a recreation residence.
C. Market Resource Values (direct losses and loss of use)
Direct losses and loss of use associated with the resource values are associated with rainfall events
that are likely to occur over the burn area in the future. Assigning a dollar value to these losses is
extremely difficult because of the uncertainty about the location and severity of future rainfall events
and resultant floods over an area this large.
At present and during the immediate future, providers of potable water and irrigation companies will
be impacted by ash, sediment and debris transported by storm runoff into waterways, most notably
the Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, from the burn area. The cities of Greeley and Fort
Collins have estimated that loss of direct flow rights on the Poudre River ranges from $500,000 to $1
million annually for each city. Fort Collins estimates additional treatment costs will be from $500,000
to $1.4 million annually, and Greeley estimates additional treatment costs will be from $500,000 to $1
million annually. The Tri-Districts estimates the additional treatment costs for their Soldier Canyon
Filter Plant will be $650,000 to $1.3 million annually. These costs depend not only on the frequency
and severity of future rainfall events, but also on the recovery time for the watershed—the number of
years it takes the watershed to return to a pre-fire condition.
Unburned homes in several communities, particularly in Poudre Park and Bellvue, are at significantly
increased risk for flood damage because of the much higher runoff and debris flows expected from
even modest rainfall events. Initial hydrologic analyses suggest that the likelihood of very damaging
runoff (runoff which had been considered a 100-year storm under pre-fire conditions) may be twenty
time greater in post-fire conditions. That is, the likelihood of potentially very damaging runoff which
had a 3 to 5 percent chance of occurring during the next 3 to 5 years under pre-fire conditions now
has a 60 to 100 percent chance of occurring during the next 3 to 5 years. Homes scattered
throughout the burn area located in or near drainageways are now exposed to similarly higher levels
of risk from flooding and debris flows. Because it is more likely that intense precipitation will occur
over areas smaller than the entire burn area, it is virtually impossible to estimate a specific dollar
amount for direct losses from flooding and debris flows.
The risk of damage to public roads, including State Highway 14 in Poudre Canyon, is similarly difficult
to estimate. Flooding and debris flows in the burn area have already occurred, necessitating cleanup
effort to remove accumulated debris from roadways. Additional flooding and debris deposition will
certainly occur over at least the next 3 to 5 years. More severe flooding which will overtop and
potentially wash out roadways is highly likely, and again significantly more likely than under pre-fire
conditions. But the location and severity of damage to roads depends on the location and intensity of
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 18
future rainfall events, which is extremely difficult if not impossible to predict with any reasonable
degree of certainty over an area the size of the burn area without further, extensive analysis.
Damage to private roads from flooding and debris flows will almost certainly occur, but again, the
location, extent and cost of this damage cannot be calculated with a reasonable degree of certainty
at this time.
D. Skills Represented on Burned-Area Survey Team
[x] Hydrology [x] Soils [ ] Geology [x] Range
[ ] Forestry [x] Wildlife [ ] Fire Mgmt. [x] Engineering
[ ] Contracting [ ] Ecology [x] Botany [x] Archaeology
[x] Fisheries [ ] Research [ ] Landscape Arch [x] GIS
Because the fire burned both NFS and non-federal lands, a multi-agency team was assembled to
conduct the burned area assessment. Personnel from the Forest Service, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Larimer County, and the Colorado Department of Transportation were
represented on the team. The BAER process of evaluating burned area conditions, critical values at
risk, threats, risk and treatments was employed. Inter-disciplinary and inter-agency coordination
occurred throughout the process.
Forest Service BAER Team Members
Forest Service Team Lead Eric Schroder
Soils Lizandra Nieves-Rivera
Hydrology Deb Entwistle/Liz Schnackenberg/
Jamie Krezloc
Hydrology/Affected Interest Liaison Carl Chambers
Noxious Weeds/Botany Kim Obele/Steve Popovich
Engineering Kipp Klein/Judy Kittson/Steve Wood
Recreation Kristi Wumkes
Wildlife Dale Oberlag
Fisheries Chris Carroll
Cultural Resources Larry Fullencamp
GIS Janice Naylor/Amy Coe
Public Information Tammy Williams/Reghan Cloudman
NRCS Team Members
NRCS Team Lead Todd Boldt
Soil Scientist John Norman
Soil Scientist Chris Fabian
Range John Fusaro
Public Information Petra Barnes-Walker
Engineering Andy Piszkin
Hydrology Steve Yochum
Larimer County Team Members
Larimer County Team Lead/Engineering Mark Peterson
Engineering Todd Juergens
GIS Jeff Rulli
Weeds Tim D’Amato
Public Information Deni LaRue
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 19
CDOT Team Members
CDOT Engineering Scott Ellis
External Partners and Contacts
City of Fort Collins Lisa Voytko
City of Greeley Eric Reckentine
Tri-District/Soldier Canyon Filter Plant Rodney Hansen
Northern Water Roger Sinden
Boulder County Plant Ecologist Claire DeLeo
CO State Forest Service Greg Sundstrom
E. Treatment Narrative
LAND TREATMENTS
Aerial Mulching and Seeding
Public Lands
Aerial application of 5,597 acres of mulch on NFS lands to provide groundcover replacement
is recommended. Approximately 90% of the treatment acres (5,037ac.) would be mulched
with weed-free agricultural straw. The remaining 10% of the area (560 ac.) would be mulched
with wood shreds. Wood shreds would be used in locations such as ridge tops, where winds
would likely blow away straw. Mulching treatments are located to address threats to values at
risk such as human life and safety, property (primarily homes and roads) and public water
supply.
Private Lands
The NRCS is recommending mulching and seeding on 5,657 acres of private land through the
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to address the significant values at risk
caused by the High Park Fire. The acres to be treated have high erosion and sediment
delivery rates which will be reduced by the recommended treatments. The treatment areas
meet the criteria for treatment listed below. Erosion control materials that will meet treatment
objectives are certified weed free agricultural straw. The recommended application rate for
straw mulch is 1.5 tons/acre. Seeding will be done with a sterile hybrid cover alone or in
combination with a locally adapted native seed mix. Potentially, other USDA programs could
be used by individual private land owners to address specific fire related issues that occur on
their properties. However due to the Very High Risk associated with human life and safety,
the public water supply and property including homes and the non federal road network, the
EWP program will provide the most efficient and effective method for addressing the values at
risk through a local sponsoring entity. Federal resources for fire rehabilitation on private lands
should be targeted to high priority watersheds that reduce erosion, sedimentation, debris
flows and will reduce the impacts of noxious weeds.
Criteria for treatment polygon locations include one or more of the following:
High and moderate soil burn severity, on slopes between 20% and 60%
Watersheds tributary to the Cache la Poudre River and from which increased hill-slope
erosion and sediment delivery to the Cache la Poudre River is highly probable in the
first year following the fire (based on soil erosion modeling, hydrologic modeling, map
review and field review); or where life and safety or property are at risk.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 20
Watershed not tributary to the Cache la Poudre where local life and safety or property
are at risk .
Generally, these treatment polygons are located where dense to moderately dense stands of
conifers were burned and where soil burn severity was mapped as high or moderate due to
consumption of most, if not all, of the litter/duff forest floor. Due to removal of ground cover
and heat impacts on the soil, these once stable hill-slopes are now highly susceptible to
erosion. Generally, the precipitation events of highest concern are high intensity summer
thundershowers. Erosion control materials that would meet treatment objectives include
certified weed free agricultural straw and/or other effective erosion control materials such as
wood shreds. The recommended application rate for straw mulch is 1 ton/acre. The
recommended application rate for wood shreds is 6 tons/acre. Based on recent monitoring of
aerial application of mulch on another local fire (Fourmile Fire in Boulder County), treatments
are likely to be effective in this geographic location. As shown in the Soil Scientist’s Specialist
Report, ERMiT runs for typical treatment areas show significant reduction in probability of hill-
slope erosion if mulching treatments are applied.
A map of potential mulching zones is included at the end of the report.
Noxious Weed Detection and Treatment
Treatment Description: (to be implemented partially with Forest Service personnel and
partially with Larimer County crews through a Participating Agreement on NFS lands)
Conduct weed detection surveys. Prioritize areas where heavy fire suppression activity
occurred, such as bulldozer lines, helispots/heliports, spike camps, equipment cleaning
sites, and staging areas. Also, areas of moderate to high soil burn severity, particularly
those areas proximal to known infestations and heavy suppression activity. The entire
burn area should be monitored for possible introduction of invasive species inadvertently
brought in on fire suppression equipment and vehicles from outside Larimer County.
Despite the awareness and active efforts to prevent weed spread by introduction of seed
or vegetative propagules, the problem is often documented in areas following wildfire.
Monitoring needs to occur following the first precipitation event, and continue throughout
the subsequent growing season.
Treat newly found infestations from detection surveys. Focus on three priority species:
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), and spotted
knapweed (Centaurea maculosa); and any new high priority species brought in from
outside of Larimer County.
CHANNEL TREATMENTS
Public Lands
No channel treatments are proposed on USFS lands.
Private Lands
Purpose
The purpose of channel treatments is to help convey runoff through the drainage system and
remove debris that may plug channels and culverts resulting in water being diverted and causing
damage outside of the stream channel itself. Implementation along the areas proximate to the
mainline County roads will be conducted by either County crews or contractors. On private lands,
the County will conduct public outreach, asking residents to remove debris and keep drainage
ways clear.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 21
Channel Debris Clearing
Channel-debris clearing removes debris from the channel and flood prone areas that could
dislodge and plug culverts or damage downstream property. High priority areas for treatment
would include areas in close proximity to houses and directly upstream from culverts. Debris may
include burned wood from trees and debris from burned structures. Generally, this treatment
would be done manually with a focus on small debris considered likely to be transported
downstream.
Sediment Basins and Debris Racks
Sediment basins and debris racks will be pursued at locations that lend themselves to such
measures. This would be at locations where there is an opportunity to trap and settle out
suspended sediments before they reach a main channel or where large amounts of woody debris
are likely to be generated (e.g., Fall, Hill or Watha watersheds) and may adversely impact
downstream structures or infrastructure. Periodic cleaning of such facilities would be necessary
to regain retention capacities.
Floodwater Detention or Diversion Facilities
Although more detailed hydrologic analyses are currently being conducted by the NRCS, field
observation suggests that the Bellvue community may be at significantly increased risk for
flooding from the upstream burned watersheds. Most of the community and CR 23 are located in
the historic drainage way for Mill Canyon. Once more detailed hydrographs are developed; it
may be appropriate to determine if there is any flood storage or channel diversion alternatives
that would help mitigate for this increased flood risk.
ROAD TREATMENTS
Storm Inspection and Response
Storm inspection and response keeps culvert and drainage structures functional by cleaning
sediment and debris from the inlet between storm events on public roads where access is
required. Typically, crews drive the roads during or immediately after storms, checking sediment
and debris accumulations and performing thorough, rapid inspection of road drainage features,
culverts, and other structures. The crew is responsible for maintaining culvert function by opening
culvert inlets and removing debris. Within the regular duties of County road maintenance crews,
routine road, culvert and infrastructure inspections are performed.
Additional inspections within the burn area will be added to regularly scheduled inspections.
Crews will inspect culverts and ditches for debris prior to storm event runoff, and remove any
accumulated debris or sedimentation from those locations. Crews will also monitor high risk areas
during storm events to immediately identify areas at risk of flooding or debris sedimentation.
Following a storm event, crews will identify areas that have been impacted and respond by
initiating a cleanup effort to remove accumulated sediment and debris from roadways, or repair
damaged infrastructure
Increase culvert diameters at drainage crossings, add drainage, and armor drainage
outlets
Minor Structures (having a span of from 4’ to 20’) and culverts that are used for roadway drainage
(ditch relief culverts) and channel crossings contribute to the watershed emergency when they
are damaged in a fire or when their hydraulic capacity is marginal. Post-fire sediment and debris
flow in channels may plug structures or culverts and increase the diversion-potential risk.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 22
Increased storm runoff due to the fire’s effects can cause the failure of undersized culverts and
lead to erosion of the road fill, thereby deteriorating water quality. Stream diversion potential may
exist along insloped roads with a continuous road grade.
Larimer County will upgrade or replace culverts located within high-risk areas, or add features to
alleviate sediment deposition on the county road, within the culverts, or downstream. Larger
culverts, headwall and endwall treatments, or riprap aprons will be installed to increase the
efficiency of flow through the culverts, prevent overtopping, or reduce erosion and sedimentation
at the culvert locations. Larimer County has prioritized the reach of Rist Creek/Rist Canyon Road
extending from the mouth upstream to Davis Ranch Road for consideration of structure upgrades.
There are a number of driveway crossings of Rist Creek that must also be analyzed to determine
their effects on flow capacity and risk of overtopping during post-fire flood events. Stream
channel crossings along CR 27 (Buckhorn Creek) and CR 25E (Redstone Creek) are also areas
of high risk and will be analyzed and potentially upgraded to increase hydraulic capacity and
create conditions where the roadways can withstand overtopping flows.
On Forest Service lands, a determination was made that BAER treatments are needed on nearly
all system and non-system roads within the burned area. The following treatments were identified
as BAER road treatments for the High Park Fire burned area:
Temporary road closures are recommended for NFSR 100 and NFSR 152 to protect
public safety.
Road stabilization with Rolling Dips, Lead Outs and Ditches
Treatment of hazard Trees and Unstable Rocks to protect workers implementing BAER
treatments
Erosion control on steep side slopes above or adjacent to roads by aerial mulching, aerial
mulching is addressed above.
Removal of culverts on all roads and replaced with hardened low water crossings
Replacement of culverts when drainage/vegetation has been restored
Storm Inspection and Response on roads to remain open
TRAILS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
The following recommendations are made for trails and recreation facilities:
Mountain Park Campground: Restrict use of host site and sites 1-5, 17, 20, 23 until slope
stabilizes, by removing them from the reservation website. Inform campers that non-life
threatening debris flows may occur around site 32. Have hosts monitor rain events and
debris flows. Post signs at campground: In case of flash flood climb to safety.
Culverts at Stove Prairie Campground and Diamond Rock Picnic Area: Remove hazard
trees above culvert at Diamond Rock to provide for crew safety, and install large diameter
rock riprap in area below outlet of culvert to dissipate water flow energy. Install caution
sign at picnic table below culvert.
Trails: Keep all trails closed to ensure public safety until trail stabilization can be
implemented or conditions stabilize. Remove hazard trees to ensure crew safety during
construction of trail stabilization features. Post “entering burn area/stay on trail” and flood
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 23
warning signs at trailheads. Provide out sloping where possible. Provide additional cross-
drainage on trails. Where feasible, utilize volunteer community crews to assist with trail
stabilization and rehabilitation.
Close the Young Gulch Trail for the year due to slope instability/high flooding potential in
this large watershed. Install a gate at the trailhead to keep vehicles out of the parking
area. Install closure signs. Monitor trail for conditions after major rain events, and after the
spring thaw.
Close the east side of the Mount McConnel Trail until trail stabilization features can
mitigate safety concerns.
Stabilize the eroded portion of the Kreutzer Trail to prevent continued incision on the
eastern portion of the trail before allowing public use.
All recreation residence owners have been notified of the conditions and risks associated
with the locations of their summer-use cabins. Engineering inspections for building
stability will be recommended to residence owners after facility assessments by the Forest
Service.
Install protective barriers along the Narrows fire line section to prevent OHV trespass and
increasing erosion.
Implement closure order to prohibit recreational use along the Wild River portions of the South
Fork of the Poudre, to allow this specially-designated corridor time for natural restoration. Provide
monitoring and enforcement of the closure order.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Treatment Types
5LR11051 – Installation of Log Deflectors
5LR13049 – Sign Installation
5LR13065 – Aerial Mulching (coordinated treatment)
5LR1382.1 – Trail Stabilization (coordinated treatment)
Treatment Descriptions
5LR11051 – Log Deflector Installation: the proposed treatment for protection of site the Lower
Bennett Creek Recreation residence would utilize the BAER catalog Log deflector treatment
(Napper 2006:77). The treatment would place log deflectors around site 5LR11051 to change the
runoff’s direction without erosion by simulating a new channel area. The treatment would place 6
to 9 inch diameter logs at a 120 degree angle from the diversion point and construct a shallow
trench to divert runoff.
5LR13049 – Sign Installation: the proposed treatment for the prevention of looting at the Cyril and
Mayme Spaulding Homestead consists of installation of education signs on posts near the site.
The proposal would use Forest Service signs that educate recreational users about cultural
resource laws and the value of cultural resources as shown on the following page:
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 24
(Unicor 2011)
In addition to the specific treatments that are being proposed for cultural resources aerial
mulching treatments that have been proposed for other resource areas would benefit the cultural
resources at risk as well by reducing the probability and severity of flooding or debris flows.
PART VI – SUMMARY OF EMERGENCY
STABILIZATION TREATMENTS AND SOURCE OF FUNDS
The table on the following page is a tabulation of estimated costs to address emergency stabilization
measures identified through this BAER assessment process. The USFS is responsible for
addressing concerns on National Forest System lands. The NRCS has an ability to help address
concerns on non-Federal lands in partnership with willing private landowners and local sponsors who
are able to provide funds to match federal funding through the Emergency Watershed Protection
(EWP) program.
Possible treatments for private lands include aerial mulching and seeding of an additional 5,657
acres; barriers or other measures to reduce damage from sediment and other debris; clearing
channels and drainageways; warning signs, and increasing the size of culverts on County roads and
providing some protection from erosion to reduce the risk of flood flows overtopping and washing out
portions of these roads.
In total, the BAER assessment identified approximately $24 million in potential emergency
stabilization treatments to address impacts of the High Park fire. Nearly $7.3 million is identified for
treatments to USFS lands. Approximately $17 million in possible treatments is identified for public
roads and private lands. Approximately $9.9 million of these treatments might be eligible for 75%
federal funding through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. To meet the
25% local match would require about $2.5 million. The extent of work on private lands is dependent
upon the availability of both Federal and local funding.
In addition to the local match required for any EWP funds that may be available, Larimer County
faces a potential cost of nearly $7 million to address needs on the County road system that are not
eligible for EWP funding. CDOT costs to address needs on State Highway 14 are still being
determined.
High Park Fire Emergency Stabilization Plan Page 25
Consequently, the total cost for Larimer County, other local sponsors and private landowners is
estimated to be approximately $9.3 million. No source of these local funds has yet been identified.
Treatment USFS Costs NRCS/ EWP
Sponsor
Costs
Larimer
County
Costs
State
Costs
Total
Mulching $6,912,550 $5,657,000 $12,569,550
Weeds $36,600 $0 $36,600
Seeding for
weeds $0 $1,697,100 1,697,100
Channel Debris
Clearing $0 $126,000 $126,000
Sediment Basin &
Debris Racks $0 $702,000 $702,000
Floodwater
Detention or
Diversion
Facilities
$0 $1,440,000 $1,440,000
Storm Inspection
& Response $0 $0 $159,500 * $159,500
Increase Culvert
Sizing $0 $0 $6,665,000 * $6,665,000
Road and Trail $297,549 $0 $297,549
Protection and
Safety (Closures,
signs, etc)
$5,750 $276,000 * $281,750
Treatment
Monitoring
$6,750
Agency Total $7,259,199 $9,898,100 $6,824,500 $23,975,049
* State costs to be determined.
ATTACHMENT 2
8/15/2012
1
1
Resolution for Intergovernmental
Agreement
and Emergency Ordinance for
Appropriating Reserves in the
Water Fund for the High Park Fire
Remediation
Kevin Gertig, Water Resources & Treatment Operations Manager
Lisa Voytko, Water Production Manager
Mike Gavin, Battalion Chief/Emergency Manager
2
High Park Mitigation
• Background
• Erosion of the watershed
• Watershed is not owned by one entity
• Focus on non-federal land in burn area
(US Forest Service mitigates federal area)
• Sponsor agreement with Natural Resources
Conservation Service for potential
reimbursement
ATTACHMENT 3
8/15/2012
2
3
Current Cost Analysis
(BAER Report July 17, 2012)
• $24 M in potential emergency stabilization
treatments
• Approximately $7.3 M for USFS land –
Federal responsibility
• Approximately $7 M identified for public roads
and private lands – county responsibility
• Mulch and seeding on 5,657 acres estimated
at $9.7 M
4
Regional Cooperation
• City of Fort Collins
• City of Greeley
• Tri-Districts
– East Larimer County Water District
– Fort Collins-Loveland Water District
– North Weld County Water District
• Larimer County
8/15/2012
3
5
Prioritization
• Poudre Watershed
highest priority
• Damage Survey Report
identified 2,600 acres
• Immediate treatment
area Hill Gulch = 1152
acres
• 12 landowners
• Mulching and seeding
before winter
Hewlett Fire Mulch Drop
6
Hill Gulch
Poudre River
1st Priority
High Park Burn Area Boundary
8/15/2012
4
7
Emergency Appropriation
• Total cost is $1.4 million
• Cost share for water utilities based on
Poudre River water usage
Fort Collins $626,015
Greeley $641,916
Tri-Districts $177,829
8
Poudre Water Usage (acre-feet)
Year Fort Collins Greeley Tri-Districts
2007 14,950 12,644 1,767
2008 14,821 12,794 3,372
2009 12,397 14,172 4,819
2010 9,638 12,977 4,755
2011 11,722 12,469 3,378
Total 63,528 65,056 18,091
Percentage 43.3% 44.4% 12.3%
8/15/2012
5
9
Photos - Jill Oropeza
Black Water in River
10
Debris Flow
Photo – Tony Simons – LCSD/Emergency Services
8/15/2012
6
11
River Debris
Photo – Tony Simons – LCSD/Emergency Services
12
Water Quality Concerns
• Nutrients
• Metals
• Turbidity (clarity)
• Organic Carbon
Poudre River Turbidity
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
6/26
6/28
6/30
7/2
7/4
7/6
7/8
7/10
7/12
7/14
7/16
7/18
7/20
7/22
7/24
7/26
7/28
7/30
8/1
8/3
8/5
NTU
Turbidity
8/15/2012
7
13
Erosion of Properties
Photo – Tony Simons – LCSD/Emergency Services
14
Photo - Jill Oropeza
8/15/2012
8
15
Next Steps
• Council decision on Ordinance and Resolution
• Plan remediation approach for first phase and
future areas
• Identify Lead Sponsor to coordinate rest of
efforts
• County to collect landowner approval of
treatment
• Explore Federal and other funding
• Begin remediation of Hill Gulch, and work
through other areas as funds become available
• Routinely update City Council and customers
16
Intergovernmental Agreement
• Greeley to contract direct with mitigation
contractor
– Same as Hewlett Fire
• City of Fort Collins to reimburse Greeley
– Per water use percentage
• If Federal funding, Greeley will share back
proportional reimbursement to City
RESOLUTION 2012-079
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN TWO INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENTS REGARDING FUNDING OF CACHE LA POUDRE WATERSHED
MITIGATION IN RESPONSE TO THE HIGH PARK FIRE
WHEREAS, the High Park Fire, which began on June 9, 2012 and ended on July 11,
2012, has affected the Cache la Poudre watershed (the “Watershed”); and
WHEREAS, a formal assessment of the impacts of the High Park Fire has been prepared
by an interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (“BAER”) team, consisting of the Natural
Resources Conservation Agency (“NRCS”), Larimer County (the “County”), the Colorado
Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) and the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”), and was issued
on July 17, 2012 (the “BAER Report”); and
WHEREAS, considering the severity of the impacts of the High Park Fire, and the
resulting potential for increased soil erosion and related cumulative effects from increased peak
runoff flows and sediment laden flows, and other related impacts, the BAER Report concluded
that the High Park Fire has resulted in emergency conditions for roads, recreation, water
diversion infrastructure, water quality degradation, flood hazard, debris flow hazard, and road
washout hazard, each of which pose a very high level of risk of major loss to human life, safety
and property; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the BAER Report identifies other related emergency conditions
created by the High Park Fire, such as the risk related to recovery of native vegetation, and
identifies a high level of risk to cultural and heritage resources; and
WHEREAS, recent rain events have demonstrated the negative effects of erosion in the
Watershed and on the Cache la Poudre River (the “Poudre River”), a key water source for the
City; and
WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing, there is an urgent need for the City and other
entities that will experience the impacts identified in the BAER Report to act quickly to mitigate
the conditions in the Watershed so as to reduce the potential for these emergency conditions and
related risk to human life, safety and property; and
WHEREAS, the Watershed is largely located on land not owned by the City;
consequently, it is necessary to work with federal and state agencies, the City of Greeley
(“Greeley”), the Tri-Districts (Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, East Larimer County Water
District, and North Weld County Water District) (the “Districts”), and the County to develop an
erosion mitigation plan to effectively address the negative effects of rain, erosion and sediment
transport due to rain on the burn area; and
WHEREAS, there is an immediate need to address the highest priority area, Hill Gulch,
which represents 1,152 acres of the 5,600 acres requiring mitigation; and
WHEREAS, this effort will be coordinated through the NRCS, which administers a program
called the Emergency Watershed Protection (“EWP”) program that is designed to prescribe and
facilitate recovery measures that are environmentally and financially sound; and
WHEREAS, the City has worked with local, state and federal agencies to secure possible
recovery funding; and
WHEREAS, at this time, no substantial state or federal funding has been identified for post
fire recovery efforts specific to water supplies; and
WHEREAS, in order to expedite the mitigation of the impacts of the fire on the Hill Gulch
area, City staff has worked with representatives of Greeley, the Districts, and the County to develop
a plan to move forward with and jointly fund and support that mitigation work (the “Hill Gulch
Work”); and
WHEREAS, a reclamation contractor already under contract with Greeley is available to
carry out the Hill Gulch Work, and Greeley has agreed to arrange for those services, at a total direct
cost of $1,445,760; and
WHEREAS, the City, Greeley and the Districts have agreed to share the costs of the Hill
Gulch Work based upon their relative shares of water deliveries from the Poudre River over the most
recent five year period, or 43.3%, 44.4% and 12.3%, respectively; and
WHEREAS, based on this agreed upon division of costs, the cost to the City of the Hill
Gulch Work would total $626,015; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide for payment of the agreed upon amounts to Greeley, to be
paid to the contractor carrying out the Hill Gulch Work, the City will need to enter into an
intergovernmental agreement with Greeley and the Districts (the “Hill Gulch IGA”); and
WHEREAS, the Hill Gulch IGA will require that the Hill Gulch Work be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the NRCS in order to ensure eligibility for federal funds, should
such funds become available, and will provide for proportional reimbursement to the City in such
event; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the County has agreed to work with landowners in the Hill Gulch
area in order to obtain the authorizations necessary to carry out the Hill Gulch Work; and
WHEREAS, in order to enable the City to become eligible for federal reimbursement of
other City High Park Fire mitigation expenses, should federal funding become available, the NRCS
has identified $1,000 in EWP funding, and has recommended that the City enter into a Sponsor
Agreement with the NRCS referencing the general scope of work for Poudre watershed mitigation
approved by the NRCS (the “NRCS Sponsor Agreement”); and
-2-
WHEREAS, the NRCS Sponsor Agreement will provide for 75% reimbursement for eligible
expenses incurred by the City, should EWP funds become available for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, at this time the NRCS Sponsor Agreement would only require the City to incur
nominal expenses, if any, subject to future amendment in the event that EWP funds become
available; and
WHEREAS, the City is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements, such as a grant
agreement, to provide any function, service or facility, under Article II, Section 16 of the Charter of
the City of Fort Collins and Section 29-1-203, C.R.S.; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires that the City enter into the Hill Gulch IGA and the
NRCS Sponsor Agreement (the "Agreements"), as described herein; and
WHEREAS, on this date, the City Council will consider Emergency Ordinance No. 088,
2012, appropriating Water Fund prior year reserves for the High Park remediation, specifically the
Hill Gulch area, to meet the commitments described in the Agreements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Hill Gulch IGA on behalf
of the City, in such specific form as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney,
determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City and further the purposes
of the Agreement or this Resolution.
Section 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the NRCS Sponsor Agreement
and related documentation on behalf of the City, in such specific form as the City Manager, in
consultation with the City Attorney, determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the
interests of the City and further the purposes of the Agreement or this Resolution.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21st
day of August A.D. 2012.
Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
City Clerk
-3-
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 088, 2012
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE WATER
FUND FOR THE HIGH PARK FIRE REMEDIATION
WHEREAS, the High Park Fire, which began on June 9, 2012 and ended on July 11,
2012, has affected the Cache la Poudre watershed (the “Watershed”); and
WHEREAS, a formal assessment of the impacts of the High Park Fire has been prepared
by an interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (“BAER”) team, consisting of the Natural
Resources Conservation Agency (“NRCS”), Larimer County (the “County”), the Colorado
Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) and the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”), and was issued
on July 17, 2012 (the “BAER Report”); and
WHEREAS, considering the severity of the impacts of the High Park Fire, and the
resulting potential for increased soil erosion and related cumulative effects from increased peak
runoff flows and sediment laden flows, and other related impacts, the BAER Report concluded
that the High Park Fire has resulted in emergency conditions for roads, recreation, water
diversion infrastructure, water quality degradation, flood hazard, debris flow hazard, and road
washout hazard, each of which pose a very high level of risk of major loss to human life, safety
and property; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the BAER Report identifies other related emergency conditions
created by the High Park Fire, such as the risk related to recovery of native vegetation, and
identifies a high level of risk to cultural and heritage resources; and
WHEREAS, recent rain events have demonstrated the negative effects of erosion in the
Watershed and on the Cache la Poudre River (the “Poudre River”), a key water source for the
City; and
WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing, there is an urgent need for the City and other
entities that will experience the impacts identified in the BAER Report to act quickly to mitigate
the conditions in the Watershed so as to reduce the potential for these emergency conditions and
related risk to human life, safety and property; and
WHEREAS, the Watershed is largely located on land not owned by the City;
consequently, it is necessary to work with federal and state agencies, the City of Greeley
(“Greeley”), the Tri-Districts (Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, East Larimer County Water
District, and North Weld County Water District) (the “Districts”), and the County to develop an
erosion mitigation plan to effectively address the negative effects of rain, erosion and sediment
transport due to rain on the burn area; and
WHEREAS, there is an immediate need to address the highest priority area, Hill Gulch,
which represents 1,152 acres of the 5,600 acres requiring mitigation; and
WHEREAS, this effort will be coordinated through the NRCS, which administers a
program called the Emergency Watershed Protection (“EWP”) program that is designed to
prescribe and facilitate recovery measures that are environmentally and financially sound; and
WHEREAS, the City has worked with local, state and federal agencies to secure possible
recovery funding; and
WHEREAS, on this date the City Council has adopted Resolution 2012-079, authorizing
two intergovernmental agreements regarding Watershed mitigation in response to the High Park
Fire, including the commitment of the funds appropriated by this Ordinance for the above-
described immediate response activities; and
WHEREAS, at this time, no substantial available state or federal funding has been
identified for post fire recovery efforts specific to water supplies; and
WHEREAS, funds are available from the Water Fund prior year reserves for the High
Park remediation, specifically the Hill Gulch area; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, Article II, Section 6, of the Charter of the City authorizes the City Council
to adopt emergency ordinances, which shall be finally passed on first reading by the affirmative
vote of at least five members of the City Council and which shall contain a specific statement of
the nature of the emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated from prior year reserves in the Water
Fund the sum of SIX HUNDRED TWENTY SIX THOUSAND FIFTEEN DOLLARS
($626,015) for High Park Fire remediation activities as described herein.
-2-
Introduced, considered favorably by five (5) members of the Council of the City of Fort
Collins and finally passed on an emergency ordinance and ordered published on the 21st day of
August, A.D. 2012.
_________________________________
Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
-3-
10190007031006 Upper South Fork 89 226 1068 473%
101900071818H4 Well Gulch 0 68.6 80 116%
High /Rangeland 2 0.42 4.9
High/Shrub land 3 0.7 14.84
Moderate/Forest 4 2.19 19.69
Moderate/Rangeland 5 1.65 22.9
Moderate/Shrub land 6 0.65 10.95
Low/Forest 7 0.88 4.95
Low/Rangeland 8 0.14 0.63
Low/Shrub land 9 3.75 9.84